Hi
I had a similar problem earlier this summer.  Try changing the expansion
cap.  They are only about $11 and it just might take care of the problem.
I learned about this fix from the great people on the vanagon list, so I
figured I would pass it on.
bye!
Kim

>From: wolfgang <wolfgang@PIPELINE.COM>
>Reply-To: wolfgang <wolfgang@PIPELINE.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: head gasket problem ?
>Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 07:36:20 -0500
>
>I've got an 88 Westy that I've had for about 3 months.  I'm the
>second owner.  It's got 120,000 miles on the clock.  Got all service
>records from previous owner and it had a head gasket job done at
>around 80,000.
>
>So I just drove it locally (with no problems) until two weeks ago.
>Then we made our first road trip in it for a round trip of around 600
>miles.  About 100 miles from home, the red overheat light starts
>blinking.  But the needle is only halfway, like pointing at the light.  I
>pulled over, shut it down, and looked for a busted hose or broken
>belt.  But there is no sign of a problem, no leak.  Started it up to
>see if it squirted anywhere, but no leak, belt is turning water pump,
>and now the light is off.  So I thought it was a fluke and went on.
>
>Not long after, the light comes on again.  This time, I notice the
>reservoir is full - the one behind the license plate.  The other
>coolant tank has an air pocket.  So I get a water bottle, slowly
>loosen the cap, let out the pressure and top it off.  Then I go on the
>rest of the way (200 more miles) with no problem.
>
>This same thing happened once on the way back.  But the needle
>never gets any higher than pointing at the light.  So I'm wondering
>what's going on.  I'm no expert, but I think I suspect what's going
>on.  Could the head gasket be slowly leaking combustion gases
>into the water jacket ?  I don't know if this is possible since I don't
>know if coolant pressures would be higher than combustion
>chamber pressures (I suspect not).
>
>Anyway, I wonder if anyone's seen this before.  I know that the
>waterboxer head gasket can be a problem with leaking coolant, but
>this is a little different.  If it is the problem, should I expect to need
>new heads or just a new gasket ?
>
>Thanks!

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp