Date:         Tue, 29 Jun 1999 13:19:09 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Subject:      Coolant leak
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

My parked 89 Westy was recently involved in a hit-and-run accident that did
$5000 of body damage primarily to the front, although the right rear wheel
was banged up pretty hard when it was pushed 20 ft. back into a curb
(previous post - Vanagon 1 Toyota 0).  I just got it back a little over a
week ago and I have noticed that I now have a slow coolant leak from the
right cylinder head.  My 89 van only has 59500 miles on it, so I don't know
if it was time for the infamous leak to start happening or whether the
impact of the crash loosened up things enough for the leak to start.  I'm
hoping my insurance company will assist with this, but I'm probably out of
luck unless I can prove to them that this leak started as a result of the
accident.  If they pay for it, I don't care how much it costs.  However,
since I will more than likely have to pay for this myself, what should I
expect to have done and what would should it cost to correct the right leaky
head (parts and labor)?  Should I have the driver's side one done also at
the same time?  It does not leak, but I plan on keeping this van for a
while.

My van also seems to be suddenly using up more oil than normal.  I have not
found an obvious leak, but I also wonder if the impact of the accident
started this also.

Thanks in advance for your advice and my apologies to those members who have
heard these same questions over and over again.

Thanks,

Steve

89 Westy