If the water pup turns, doesn't leak, and doesn't make noise it is good.
They can't break without being obvious. If coolant is not moving, than
the pump is most likely air bound. The big cloud of smoke can be a bad
sign. Compression, leak down, and cooling system pressure test is in
order. If all checks well, then fill and bleed the cooling system.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of mat christensen
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 3:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: smoke signals

Hello list,I've recently purchased an 84 vanagon
westfalia with multile problems.  After repairing the
brakes I took it for a test drive, as I have never
heard it run and have never driven it.  About a half
mile in, a big cloud of white smoke blew out of the
exhaust.  I removed the cover for the coolant (not
expansion) tank and the fluid wasn't moving.  I also
pinched one of the hoses and it was soft or mushy, not
firm, as I thought it should be if the water pump was
working properly.  The question is, do I take it to a
shop and have them check the heads, or dig in further
with the water pump?  Any help would be greatly
appreciated!  Thanks - Matt.

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