Hmmm...
That sounds pretty bad. But wouldn't that affect the engine's overall
performance? It runs and sounds pretty well.
I'll check for the bubbling this afternoon (the engine is warm now). But if
the gasket is blown, shouldn't that have a more predictable effect? I've
driven 2000 kilometres over a period of almost seven weeks in it now and it
'only' happened 4 times so far (the first time was about a month ago).

I'm not sure if it bubbles or even overheats, but what if the gasket has
blown? Major repair?

Anyway, I'll try to collect more data and try out some stuff you folks
suggested.

By the way, it's a Diesel because it's non-US (as am I). Fuel prices in
Holland have always been twice of that in the states, so I guess that's why
they like DIesels over here. Right now 1 litre of gasoline is about 2.70
guilders (which translates to about 1.20 US$ (dollars are expensive right
now, too),) while 1 litre of Diesel costs 1.80 guilders and that difference
has always been there.

Greetings and thanks so far,

Peter.

At 11:15 AM 6/14/00 -0400, you wrote:
>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