Hello all,

I'm new to the list and first off want to just say hello.  Good to know
there are lists like this still out there. Now to the problem:

I recently did some work on my coolant system (replacing a hose and the
thermostat, cleaning out the rear heat exchanger, new hose clamps, etc.)
on my 1983 VW Vanagon with a 1985 1.9L engine.  After one failed
bleeding of the coolant system (tried to do it by myself), I finally got
the system bled properly and it seemed to be running quite well and at a
lower temp than before.  However, it now seems that I am leaking coolant
out of my head gaskets, primarily the driver's side, but Ive also seen a
drop hanging off the passenger side, and I can smell vaporized coolant
when I park after driving for long enough.  It is a slow leak and I do
not believe it is leaking into the cylinder, as I do not see any white
smoke out the exhaust or have any starting problems.  I am and always
have used phosphate-free coolant.

I have had a similar problem before when I had my thermostat replaced
which resulted in a massive coolant leak out of the head gasket while
~100 miles from home.  After getting the head gaskets replaced, the van
ran slightly hot but with no leaks.  Fortunately this time I identified
the leak before leaving town.  The heads should be relatively new (less
than ~5,000 miles), as the engine was rebuilt several years ago, and
this seems to be a repeat of what happened the last time the thermostat
was replaced.  Im thinking the running with not optimum cooling before
the coolant system is fully bled may do some warping/pulling on the
heads/gaskets.  I got some advice off of usenet that said that trying to
tighten the head bolts is pretty useless, that I probably have pitting
on the heads themselves, but I am reluctant to accept this as I havnt
had any problems up until now.  It is looking like I will at least need
to remove the heads and inspect them and probably replace the gaskets,
but this is not the best time of year for such work (though I guess I
could go buy a space heater).  Is it bad to be driving with this slow
leak (could it cause pitting)?  Should I work on this ASAP?  Am I
doooooomed?  Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

aloha
Mike Braden
1983 Vanagon/1985 1.9L engine