> P.S. I was told (two years ago) that the head problems that develop are
> caused by a mismatch of electricity being used i.e. 13 volts in the front &
> 12 in the back (or something like that) & the extra volt being carried in
> the coolant, which pits the heads...has anyone else heard this, or how to
> remedy it??
> Amanda
>

Now I will admit I slept through a lot of Elements of Electrical
Engineering (I am a computer engineer) but I wish I had known about the
"VW directional exclusion zone electrical differential". I would wonder
if you drove the van backwards, would the back use 13 volts and the
front 12? Is it a flow problem from the battery? And what about that
silly thingamabob sitting on the motor putting out at least 13.7 volts
or so?  My best guess is East Coast Vans, with the seam rust, build up
resistance so the flow of electrons is inhibited through the body ground
plane at those points. Have you felt all the seams when you stop and see
if there is heat buildup from the resistance?

So... the solution....

Take 10 gauge single strand wire and run at least 10 of these wires from
the front bumper mounts to the rear bumper mouns, using shiney new steel
(not stainless) 8mm bolts and used crushed copper oil gaskets as
washers. Then in the rear only, bolt a zinc anoid (available at any
marine shop) to the the bumper and have it hang out at least 3 7/8
inches (or 86 mm). The best ones to use are the ones shaped like little
propellers  that will revolve in the wind and let the air take the
excess electrons off in the windstream.

Good luck...

And Eric, of course I know what I am doing...

tim