Hi again everybody,

Just wanted to update everyone that sent in helpful messages --
NO ENGINE DAMAGE!!!!  A good bleeding was all it needed as
several suggested.  Thanks a bunch everyone!

Tonya
87 Vanagon GL Wolfs

On 1 Jun 03, at 20:07, Tonya Pope wrote:

> 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
> >