While checking over our '88 Westy before heading out next week, I found
one source of a mysterious slow coolant leak - the coolant level sensor in
the left hand tank. There was a pool of coolant around it, and signs of
crusty coolant on the tank. I dried it off, and after an hour of driving, it was
wet again. Is there a trick to replacing this sensor and minimizing the
amount of air let into the system? I was thinking of parking the van facing
downhill, and possibly removing and raising the tank before undoing the
sensor. Has anyone tried this?

I am also getting a faint coolant smell from the front heater core, so I
suspect the other slow leak may be there. My coolant level has gone from
'Max' to 'Min ' in about 12 months, which I was trying to ignore since
coolant change time is coming up. I don't want to risk ignoring the leaking
sensor, as it appears identical to the sensor that failed without warning in
my Jetta and caused rapid coolant loss.

I guess the good news is that the coolant appears to be avoiding the
combustion chambers... ;-)

Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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