Allan:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "the other side of the belly tin,"
but visibility around the Vanagon diesel engine is pretty good once you
remove the belly pan.  You should be able to see just about everything
after jacking up the back, removing the belly pan and starting the
engine.  Get a good flashlight and look at all hoses, manifolds, etc.

Maynard
'86 DoubleCab Diesel "Col. Potter"
'02 EV GLS "AMPvan"
'00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"

On Wednesday, July 23, 2003 2:16 PM, Allan Kirk <akirk@SASKTEL.NET>
wrote:
> Hello Group!
> Does anyone have words of wisdom about what would be likely to be the
> cause of a "gusher" of a coolant leak on an old diesel vanagon?
>  We're not talking "drip, drip, drip"; we're talking a steady stream
> from somewhere on the other side of the belly tin. Where do cracks
> tend to occur on this engine and in this application?  All the cracks
> I've seen in this engine in Rabbits occur at the head bolts and
> result in immediate loss of the seal at the cylinder head.  On the
> leaking Vanagon this seal seems to be intact....?  Any feedback will
> be much appreciated!  Thanks!
> Allan