Hi all,

Question for the group: what should a conscientous
vanagon owner do, if anything, about minor weeeping of
coolant from the head gaskets?

Details below.

First-time vanagon owner, 1990 Westy, 127k miles.
Bought vehicle in September of 2002 after an
inspection and compression check. Good compression, no
head gasket leaks.

Immedately after purchasing vehicle, I drove it 1,000
miles home to Minneapolis with no coolant loss at all.
Beginning in late fall when temp dropped below
freezing at night, I noticed small amounts of coolant
leaking from the vehicle onto the garage floor. I let
the vehicle sit all winter, starting it every month or
so.

Now that it's springtime, I added about 8 ounces of
coolant to the overflow reservoir to bring it past the
minimum mark. I've started the vehicle twice now in
warm weather (50-70 F), both times bringing it up to
operating temperature and then taking short drives
around the hood. On both occasions, it has not lost
any coolant. That's right; no leaks.

Question 1: should I be worried about taking the
vehicle on any extended trips, or is mild head gasket
weeping at sub-freezing temps nothing to get alarmed
about for summertime driving?

Question 2: Given the engine's propensity to weep
coolant at low ambient temperatures, when would it be
prudent to replace the head gaskets? a) immediately,
b) within 5,000 miles, c) only when you consistently
see puddles of coolant under the engine.

- Kevin

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