Date:         Sat, 14 Aug 1999 13:17:23 -1000
Reply-To:     Russell Kackley <kackley@ALOHA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Russell Kackley <kackley@ALOHA.NET>
Subject:      86 Vanagon with head gasket leak
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Aloha, list members,

This is my first messge to the list, although I have been reading the
archives for a few weeks. I am looking for any advice that list members
can offer me on my '86 Vanagon with a head gasket leak that is allowing
combustion gases into the coolant.

The reason I say it has a head gasket leak is as follows:
1. Test with Cal-Van Leak Check Detector showed color change from blue to
yellow

2. Coolant is frequently pumped from expansion tank to refill tank and
does not siphon back into expansion tank when motor cools.

3. Removing expansion tank cap, even with cold motor, releases a lot of
gas pressure and coolant level sometimes overflows due to pressure in
system.

4.Loosening expansion tank cap with hot engine allows lots of foam
to spill out, like a head on a beer.

The motor has 137000 miles on it. Both heads were replaced with new OEM
heads at about 78000 miles when coolant was noticed seeping external to
heads. The cylinders were honed and new rings installed at that
time. Having been through this once, I wasn't looking forward to doing it
again. I had been using only VW coolant and changing it once each year,
so I didn't expect to have this happen, but I guess I have had some bad
luck.

As I see it, my options are as follows:
1. Replace the heads gaskets and/or heads
2. Rebuild the entire engine top to bottom because of the mileage
3. Trade my engine for a remanufactured engine
4. Sell the van and give up.

Other than the heads, the van is in pretty good shape.

Another problem I have is that, living in Hilo, Hawaii, access to Vanagon
experts is somewhat limited.  There is one mechanic in Hilo who
specializes in VW's but I am not sure I know him well enough to give him a
big job like this.  There is a VW dealer, but it is a 2 hour drive away,
on the other side of the island, making it inconvenient in case something
goes wrong with the job.  Any opinions on whether to go with independent
mechanic or VW dealer?

Any help will be appreciated.

Russell Kackley
Hilo, Hawaii