Thanks to all that have replied so far!!  Today's attempt wasn't
much better than yesterdays.  In 90+ weather, I'd like anything
water logged would have evaporated after 24 hours.  When I started
it today, it idled great for about a minute, then started surging and
getting rougher and rougher, nearly stalling out before I shut it
down.  Won't run good enough for me to even attempt to bleed it.
I'm headed back tomorrow with a tow trailer to bring it home.  Will
keep ya'll posted.

Tonya
87 Vanagon GL Wolfs

On 1 Jun 03, at 0:06, Tonya Pope wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm about to cry (well, I already have actually).  My beloved van had
> a small catastrophe today and I'm scared to death that it led to a
> major problem.  Just after getting off the interstate, the temp.
> guage shot up, LED blinked frantically, and buzzer went off.  I was
> at my destination and coasted into a parking spot.  Coolant was all
> over the back of the van and puddles in the engine compartment.
> Left it be to watch ballgames for the day so that it could cool off
> before I investigated further.
>
> Upon return, the reservoir tank was just above the max line, coolant
> tank was bone dry.  Opened up the top of the coolant tank and
> proceeded to add water.  Added a few 20 oz bottles full in and gave
> it time to go down before filling it back up.  Peeked under to see
> where it all was going.  The temp. sensor had come out!!  Hairclip
> was in place still - must not have been securely in or something.
> Had it replaced about a month ago and had been driving relatively
> perfect until this.  Anyway, the O-ring was still in so pulled it out
> and reseated the sensor and clipped it in.  Again filled up the
> coolant tank until full.  Ran engine briefly to circulate so that I could
> top it off again.  Tried to run engine, ran rough, and lacked power.
> Seemed to have a small drip from the middle back of the engine
> area - near temp sensor but not quite there.  I wasn't the neatest
> putting water back in so my optimistic side is wanting the drip to
> just be puddles dripping down.  Made it out of the ballfield parking
> lot to the corner where I could leave it in a 24-hour grocery store
> lot.
>
> So, did the heat pop a head gasket??  What else, preferably less
> bad, does it sound like it might be?  The van is currently an hour
> from home so I can't look or try anything until I go back for
> ballgames tomorrow.
>
> All suggestions and words of encouragement appreciated,
> Tonya
> 87 Vanagon GL Wolfs
>