I've wondered if there could be another reason for bubbling sometimes, but I
am not sure....

Suppose there is a leak in the system, like at the rear heater valve.

Then, when the coolant expands, it leaks from there - and when it cools, it
also draws in air from there.

Could this not also account for some Vans bubbling - perhaps into the
overflow tank, (not neccesarily the expansion tank, discussed in the prior
post)?

What say you, fellow listees?

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy

>It sounds like your headgasket has blown and is letting combustion gases
into
>the coolant.  I recent found this on a customer's 81 rabbit.  Basically you
>could sit and watch the bubbles coming up into the expansion tank when
>allowing the car to go from cold to warm with a full coolant tank (should
be
>able to do something similar on your van).  If it keeps bubbling and
>bubbling, then the gasket is toast.
>Side question, how does your '87 Vanagon happen to be a diesel?  Non-US?
>
>Thanks,
>Ken Wilford
>http://www.vanagain.com
>John 3:16
>Phone: (856)-765-1583
>Shop:   (856)-327-0027
>Fax:     (856)-327-2242
>