Volks,
 
What's your take on Scott's suggestion?
 
A while back, after only 9k miles,  I replaced both heads (used new AMC) and
one piston on the 2.1L "AVP" rebuilt engine in the Haus.
 
Had combustion gasses in the coolant which caused "coolant blowing".
 
One or more heads may have gotten warped, one piston had blow by. 
 
Observation ...  the engine had several loose head bolts.
 
Scott's suggestion kinda hit home?
 
Oddly, shortly after my problem, Karl Mullendore was working on a Vanagon in
his shop that had the same problem. AVP Rebuilt engine with ~10k miles also
had several loose head bolts. Fortunately he was able to retorque everything
and it was good to go. Caught it before heads were warped or other damage
was done.
 
I know the some of the head bolts aren't all that easy to get to ... so
maybe every oil change is too frequent. But I'm thinking once a year might
be a heck of a lot easier and cheaper than replacing the head gaskets or
even the heads. 
 
That is, if this would help.
 
Thoughts,
 
Larry Chase
 
 
<file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Roadguy/Application%20Data/Microsoft/
Signatures/www.roadhaus.com> www.roadhaus.com
 
<file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Roadguy/Application%20Data/Microsoft/
Signatures/www.roadhaus.com/shops.html> www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
 <http://www.roadhaus.com/tires.html> www.roadhaus.com/tires.html
 
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From: Scott Perkins <2scott@bellsouth.net>

Subject: regarding head gasket failures on water cooled engs....

Clipped >>>> 

Years ago when racing Alfa Romeos SCCA, which also had aluminum head and
blocks, we found that with heating and cooling and different expansion rates
of the steel studs vs the aluminum parts, that over time the head gasket
crush diminished causing gasket leaks with overheating then warpage of heads
then trash of engine.

We simply began to retorque heads at every oil change on all race vehicles
and passenger cars which had alfa engine and all problems disappeared. 

We kept the head nuts greased real well and backed them off a quarter turn
to break them free then retorqued.