I've been watching the list lately, what do I see! Coolant / cooling
related questions over and over.. Time for a FAQ section!

I offered my help to built a solid mechanical web site at: www.vwvans.com.
No help from you guys came!!!! But I see you guys answering the same
question over and over, what a lost of time.

The Vanagon is a vehicle, like any other car or van, the engine is compose
of various metal (it's not metal from Mars)!!! Like any other car. It as
aluminums heads, like most car or van. Maybe the head gasket design is not
perfect but it work!!!! Poor coolant will only damage the head faster,
that's all, it as nothing to do with the van overheating. Prestone (or any
other good company) phosphate free is fine enough. VW want to sell their
products, for sure they will tell you to use their coolant, like any other
company. They will also sell you some small camper part 3 times the price
of Gowesty.com!!!

If you have cooling problem don't blame it on the coolant!!!!!!!!!!
Put a NEW water pump, if you don't have the money to do so, sell your
van!!!
Put new parts like; thermostat, temp sender, seal, hoses. Have all radiator
(heater core too) pressure tested. Bleed the van properly and go on with
your life.

I have seen many Vanagon engine in the past few month, all look like
nothing were never done (maintenance) on those one, no wonder that they
have some small problem. One guys was driving a van without drive axel boot
(outside one) for 6 month, he said to me; the van drive fine!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not an Alien ship!

I did a lot of work on the coolant system of my van, I id a big web site on
that section, read it carefully, you will learn a lot. I now have a 1973
Bus and will have to cut some part of my web to do stuff for older bus's,
so take whatever you need wile it still there. I will try to send
everything to www.vwvans.com but I am not sure that It can stay there
forever, well nothing is forever.
Even if a have an 84GL I won't fully maintain and upgrade 2 website by
myself, so help is needed!!!!!!!!!!!

Ben
http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm