Condition: 65 mph interstate drive- = all is fine (usual sudden power loss, poor mpg correctedtwice in 50 miles = by shutting off engine for a few seconds) That is not a new problem-just no = cure yet. Tonight however, suddenly without warning, the oil light = comes on very dimly, followed almost immediately by the temp gauge light blinking = brightly. The quick decision was to risk engine life or limb and = move an extra half mile(handy exit ramp) and then shut her down. More on this later! By such time, smoke was coming from the rear mainly at the = air intakes on the upper body. Dark of night inspection revealed no = glaring leaks or fluid loss, coolant level a little lower than usual, oil about = a quart low and remedied. I added a little orange coolant but my distilled h20 = gallon was frozen solid--mental note to start carrying PREMIXED = coolant.

On restart, the temp gauge light = blinked again, the temp climbed, climbed, climbed, didn't quit as fluids circulated and = I shut her down as she smoked just a tad. Smelled like MAPLE = SYRUP!

Lastly, it seemed to = "smoke" mainly from the left side.That side has an older head and gasket unlike the = right but got a new temp senser last year. Could this condition be a thermostat = frozen up or malfunctioning? Other suggestions appreciated for my DAILY DRIVER. This is not a hobby car but my bread winner- commute(far) = to work -stealth camp between shifts until weekends EVERY WEEK OF THE YEAR = westy. I towed the vanagon home this morning on a = flatbed.

PS: The westy was not shut down immediately when = heating for reasons of safety. There was no shoulder-just a few feet of snow = the plow left in place of the shoulder. Personal safety, not convenience, = dictated that I had to hit that very close exit. Please no = shouda-woulda-coulda on this point. I work in ER/trauma and know where safety ranks. Jay( = husband, daddy of 4.)