No, not normal. Sounds as though the expansion tank cap is at fault and is letting
coolant out at too low a pressure. you don't say what year  or how many miles, but
they do go bad.
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Spletzer" <eric@SENIORNET.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 7:06 PM
Subject: Coolant Level

> Hi all-
>
> My temperature gauge seems right on the money at the LED light, but I notice
> that I occasionally have to top up the expansion tank level.  I can't seem
> to find any leaks, but the coolant always seems to go right to the top of
> the top tube in the (non-expansion) tank and stas thbere whilethe expansion
> tank is generally empty.
>
> Is this normal?
>
> -eric