KEN
They may be right about the heads, but if that is the
case they installed a new radiator for no reason.
Clearly they could have figured out what was wrong
before hitting you with a new radiator.   If they do
the head work ask for a price reduction.   The price
should be reduced by half the labor cost that went
into the radiator.   The fact remains you have the new
radiator and should pay for that.
   Before doing the heads replace the thermostat and
confirm that your coolant fan is coming on.   Do this
yourself if you can.   Bleed the system again to rule
that out.   If this does not solve the problem ask
them to sniff your coolant with the smog machine to
look for combustion gases in the coolant.   and then
bend over.   good luck, gary
Date:    Wed, 10 Apr 2002 09:59:25 -0700
From:    Ken Baldwin <baldwin@ROGUEWAVE.COM>
Subject: Help! 84 Westy coolant problem

I've got a 84 Westy. About a month ago, the temp
warning light came on
suddenly and started flashing, even though the van had
only been
running a
few minutes. I checked the rear coolant reservoir and
the level was way
too
high. (That's the overflow reservoir visible behind
the license plate.)

I took it in to my local VW shop and they replaced the
front reservoir
and
sending unit. It was ok for a week or so, then
exhibited the same
problem.
They said the raditor was probably clogged, so I had
them replace it
($400).

Again, ok for a couple weeks, then the problem
returned (warning light
coming on suddenly, too much coolant in the rear).
Today they said they
think that pressure is building up in the system and
forcing coolant
into
the rear. They said the only place this could be
coming from is a leaky
head
gasket. They quoted me $800 for the job, assuming they
can reuse the
heads.
More like $1800 if they have to replace the heads.
Yikes.

Does their diagnosis make sense? Is there any other
explanation I
should
explore?

Thanks for your help,
Ken

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