A good inspection can usually determine if failure is eminent. Check the
rubber for hardness and any signs of bulging. If the rubber is soft and
there is no bulging from the corrosion forcing through the gasket, you
have some time. If the rubber is hard and brittle, and there are bulges,
you are on borrowed time. Keep inmind that each time you add fresh
coolant or water, you are also adding more oxygen which will further
increase the corroision process. If you are regularly topping off the
water, consider getting the gasket done.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Eric Zeno
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 8:26 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Please REPLY Head Gaskets: Fail Leaky;

I was talking to a guy who said he had his head gasket blow in the
middle of a long trip.  I'm wondering what the chances are of this
happening?  My head gasket have been weeping for 2 winters
and I would like to see a show of E-mail as to how many people
have had the head gasket catastrophically fail?
                                                 Thank for your REply
                                                                   Eric

Hans Vanhethoen wrote:

> I bought my van in 97 the drivers side head has leaked a little on and
off
> since then .   I put some of the bronze dust sealer in the coolant
sytem it
> has been okay . Someday I will do the heads maybe not ,Ill take my
chances.
> I guess if it leaked excessive I would bother repairing it. Good luck.