That sure sounds like a headgasket leak into the cylinder. That's what
killed our first wbx, except ours didn't leak over time, it let go all at
once on a morning startup.  The engine had just caught, and crash.  One
cylinder had sucked a big mouthful of coolant all at once an then "hydraulic
locked" itself.  Bye bye piston and connecting rod.  I'd get that situation
taken care of asap.
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Atkinson, Scott (CLW, Floreat)" <Scott.Atkinson@PER.CLW.CSIRO.AU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 8:29 PM
Subject: Corroding spark plugs in WBoxer

> Hello all
>
> I am having problems with spark plugs in my Vanagon. Install new ones and
> all is OK for about 6 months, then a slight miss at startup occurs. This
> disappears quickly and all seems OK. This slight miss a startup continues
> and slowly get worse until, after about 6 months, it wont go away.
>
> Remove the sparkplug and it looks like its been there of 40,000KM not
> 6,000km. The centre electrode is worn WAY down, the gap is huge and the
body
> of the plug appears VERY pitted, like rust has eaten it away. This occurs
on
> one side of the motor only, the other sides spark plugs look fine.
>
> The motor has been losing water (only about 1 overflow tank/4 months) but
I
> have not been able to find any leaks.
>
> What do you think is wrong and do you think it is damaging the motor? Will
I
> have to replace the head gaskets?
>
> I did have a rubber gasket blow on the other side and I replaced the head
> gaskets on that side but time and money stopped me from doing both as the
> head I removed looked like new!
>
> Thanks for any suggestions and have a great weekend.
>
> Scott
>
> 90 Vanagon Auto
>