Definitely can happen.

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
----- Original Message -----
From: Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@pangea.ca>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: My 87 vanagon seems to be overheating...

> 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
> >