I would check for exhaust gas in the coolant.  Any decent mechanic has the
setup to check for that.  You may want to look into flushing the entire
system and having the radiator cleaned.  Seems like a blockage of some sort
is in the system.................

Who were the "trusted mechanics" in Asheville?  I know of only 2 places
worthwhile that will work on a vanagon without guesswork....myself being one
of them...........if you are using "Back from the Dead" VW repair you had
better run.............

Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
1974 412 "Goldmember"
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "MICHAEL POPE" <raskayamon@MSN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:47 PM
Subject: coolant issues / head gasket?

Hey now,
I am the proud new owner of a 89 Westy, Rosebud as we have named her. anyway
we are having confusing cooling issues. 1st of all the person that sold her
to me thought that a head gasket was bad (so we got a good deal) rebuilt
engine 20,000mi-she is not leaking any fluid anywhere! so when you drive her
on the freeway or up a mtn.aty a good rate of speed the refill tank(behind
the license plate) starts to fill to the point of overflow!-this has only
happened once as I keep a really good eye on the gauge-as it climbs I let
off the gas and get where I can pull over-making sure I don't overheat.,
really only seems to happen under load and not all the time- so I took her
to trusted mechs, thjey drove her for 2 days- no troubles - so far we have
driven her 1200 miles -overflowed twice- not quite ready to take heads off
yet-sometimes coolant level remains same level overnite sometimes refill
tank goes into overflow tank after she cools all the way down-once again no
consistency  with issues- going on family vacation in 2 weeks so trying to
get bugs ironed out..please help
Michael