Dan, I recently had same symptoms on my '84.   Solution was a new water
pump.  Could also be connections into the water pump.  Do the simple task
first.  Check all hoses and make sure all hose clamps are tight.

John
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@gene.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 6:27 PM
Subject: Coolant coming out...

> It's my turn to have a cooling system question.
>
> I seem to have an intermittent coolant leak, but only AFTER driving the
> van, not during or while engine is running.
>
> I noticed today that there was a puddle of coolant underneath the
> center, rear of my parked '87 camper. I had driven the van to work, and
> it had been parked for about 90 minutes. When I returned to the van to
> run an errand, there was a puddle of green liquid under the center, rear
> area of the van, about under the coolant recovery tank.
>
> I went ahead and drove the van, and after parking it 3 more times, did
> not see anymore evidence of coolant on the ground.
>
> Also, my overflow tank (behind the license plate) fills almost full
> while the van is running and up to operating temp, and then the level
> comes back down when it cools off, but not quite as far back down as it
> used to. I can also see bubbling in the tank while the engine is hot and
> running and this continues for awhile after I shut it down. When the
> engine is cold, the coolant level is lower, but still above the upper
> line; previously it was between the upper and lower lines, which is
> normal.
>
> I see no evidence of the water pump leaking or leaks from anywhere else.
>
> Temperature gauge reads normal all the time.
>
> Van runs great; just changed the oil, no evidence of coolant in oil or
> oil in coolant.
>
> Assumptions:
>
> The pressure cap is not holding pressure, and upon shutting down the hot
> engine, coolant temp rises just enough to force coolant into the
> recovery tank, which then overflows. This is happening intermittently,
> however, so I'm not sure if it's the correct assessment.
>
> Any thoughts? Should I just go ahead and get a new pressure cap and
> thermostat as preventative maintenance? I don't actually think the van
> is running hot, judging by the temp gauge, and as far as I know, the
> pressure cap may be the original.
>
> Also, the engine has about 20K miles on it, and the coolant the PO ran
> is green. It looked like the correct blue from outside the tank, but
> upon seeing it on the ground, it's definitely the familiar green coolant
> common to other vehicles.
>
> Confirmation? If so, I guess I will need to change it soon to prolong my
> relatively young engine.
>
> Dan