Volks,

I don't drive my van much once the salt starts being spread around, but
i do start it and fully warm (45 minutes +) it every weekend. Yeah, its
been cold... and yes, the van sits outside. Dunno if that has
contributed to the most recent problem.

Friday i noticed a dark spot under the driver's side head. I also
noticed the snow and ice had been melted away under that spot. This
morning i pulled off the lid, the driver's side of the engine was
puddled with coolant.

I toweled off the coolant and started the engine. Started as you might
expect a van to start on a 1 degree F morning... sluggishly, but it
fired right up and kept running. The exhaust does not have any smell of
coolant. The engine idled fine.

However, there is clearly seepage at the head gasket. Although no
coolant seeped from the top of the head gasket (at least not while
idling with me watching), there was a very slow drip from the tin under
the driver's side of the engine. Total volume lost so far... maybe half
a cup.

So......... what should i do? Let's assume the seal at the cylinders is
still good and the gasket is failing only on the outside edge.... it
still means the head has to come off... and you don't want to do just
one side, right? I know the engine has low, but even, compression, so
is this the big sign that now would be a good time for a rebuild?

My wife and i were hoping to take the summer off, finally, and drive to
Alaska... so what do all y'all think: Just have the heads pulled and
the gaskets addressed? or do i go for a local rebuild, or, call Boston
Bob and get that big valve i've been lusting after for two years now?

Money's always an issue, but i've been saving with an eye to this kind
of eventuality, so please be honest with suggestions... what you think
would be the best long-term option.

Many Thanks,

-jspeer,
'89 Westy GL, "Mystery Machine"