Glad to hear that when you did have a catastrophic event with your van
that it was close to a safe refuge.  Funny how that happens.  I bought a
van in the midwest once and had troubles twice on the way home, both
times within a couple of miles or at the homes of family members.  The
question can be debated though - was this good karma or bad karma?

>Rest stop  at 2.5 hours and Hans burps a little more coolant than normal (.3
>-.4 L). I check the coolant level and add to the top mark.

Forgive me if I am stating the obvious, but adding coolant on a regular
basis to a Vanagon is not normal behavior and is indicitive of a problem
in the cooling system.  You were dodging this bullet for awhile.

Mind you I have continued to drive vehicles with known problems from time
to time over the years for reasons of $$$, denial, or whatever.  That
seems to be part and parcel of being an older VW hobbyist.

Sometimes I too lust after a newer vehicle that doesn't require the same
amount of tinkering, but for me the personality of the older VW's keeps
me coming back for more.

Good luck with your head gasket job and getting "Hans" back into service
easily and soon.

Best wishes,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA

1984   Vanagon Westfalia    "Gertrude"
1986.5 Quantum Syncro Wagon "Wolfgang"
1987   Quantum Syncro Wagon "Werner"
1991   Jetta Eco Diesel     "Liesel"

EX:

1990   Passat GL
1987   Vanagon Syncro GL    "Gustav"
1984   Jetta GLI
1983   Rabbit GTI
1982   Jetta Diesel         "Stinky"
1981   Jetta SE
1979   Audi Fox