just bought an 83.5 Westy a few months ago and have had a hell of a time
with cooling system. I believe that I have a small and possibly intermittent
blow by problem in a cylinder leading to air in the system.

Q(s):

1) any idea how fast these things progress into more serious leaks? I'm
having to burp it every 700-1000 miles or so.
2) my mechanic says that heads can't be tightened - doesn't work.
reasonable?
3) it is possible that I also have a sticky thermostat - seems like it
doesn't want to settle on a gauge position on the hwy. is this a VW only
part or are there other ok replacements?

4) wierd and possibly related: This sounds like a Tom and Ray question, but
they don't seem too interested in vanagonstys...

engine misses a bit at idle and sometimes on acceleration. I replaced the
rotor cap because one of the plug sockets was really corroded. after less
that 1000 miles/2 mos the same socket position is corroded again. The wire
doesn't seem to be cracked. Any ideas?

Chris Fall
cpfall@ucdavis.edu