

| Subject: | Found my leak |
| From: | Greenamyer, William L |
| Date: | Mon, 21 Aug 2000 08:27:51 -0700 |
Had some time this weekend and checked out a leak that seemed to start a month ago. Under the #3 and #4 spark plugs, there appears to be cracks in the head the come out and then go for a ways at about 45 degrees towards the front on plug 3 and towards the back on plug 4. The crack at plug 3 is the one that is leaking but I would expect the one at plug 4 to start at any time if it starts leaking. This brings up some questions since this is the first time that I have checked into this type of problem. Prior to this, the cracks were inside and outside and we had the engine replaced. (Possibly a big mistake because the engine was actually in good condition.) Since being on this list, I have learned a lot but never expected to have to do heads this soon after the engine replacement (4 years and 43K miles ago). 1) Is this type of crack characteristic for a Vanagon WB head (2.1)? 2) Will stop leak solve the problem for the time being? Is there a problem with driving under this condition? 3) All other aspects of the head appear good. #4 cylinder is lower than the others but up until a month ago, there had been no coolent loss. What kind of a failure mode am I looking at? 4) If I decide to replace the head, should both sides be done? There appear to be no problems with the other side at this time. 5) Rather than building up a new head, do they come assemblied (valves, lifters, etc)? 6) What am I looking at from a cost standpoint? William
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