Yep me too.  Few years ago.  Try putting the interior heater & fan on
and see if the temp goes down a bit.. If it does  the coolant is
circulating etc. Feel the radiator and see if there are cooler spots
that indicate where it is plugged - and hotter ones where it is working
overtime!  If nothing else, a radiator is easier to fix than a head
gasket!

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Zeno [mailto:vw4x4@FYI.NET] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 9:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: update: stranded in grover, nc

This sounds like the classic head gasket problem, when the compression
leaks in to the cooling system.   There is a tool used to test for
exhaust
gasses in the cooling system the mechanics can use for this.
                                                      Eric

Michelle Pesavento wrote:

> A big "Thanks" to everyone who responded to my request for help.  We 
> decided to have it towed to Triple G in Charlotte.  Harold, the 
> mechanic at H&H Auto Repair in Grover, was a stand-up guy not only 
> helping my SO find a rental but also offering to tow the van to 
> Charlotte at a significant discount.
>
> The head-scratcher at this point is that the guys at Triple G can't 
> find any reason for the overheating.  They don't see any leaks in the
cooling system.
>   The pressure was good, no loose hoses, etc.  When it overheated last

> week, it was spilling coolant from around the main coolant tank.  It's

> has had overheating issues before but my usual mechanic found nothing
majorly wrong.
>   Anyone with a similar experience?  I don't have the service records 
> in front of me so I can't tell you exactly what was done the last time

> it was in the shop.
>
> If we can't figure out what the problem is, we're going to have to 
> sell it. No use in having the van if we can only go on short trips...
>
> TIA,
> Michelle
> '91 Vanagon Carat "Pete"
>
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