I had the coolant flushed and changed when I bought the van....to blue.  Although, I am not sure how much they got out, as it is pretty blue/green at this point.   I am a rookie who will pay to have the work done, but I can learn and will do some basic/ things, hopefully getting more complicated as I learn and get to know the van.  As far as a compression  check...I could bring it in.   Is a compression check more important....or a leak down test...or both?

brian

----- Original Message ----
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 11:05:40 AM
Subject: head leaking....options? 86 westy

Are you a rookie with some mechanic skills or a rookie
who will be paying to have the work done?
What is the color of the coolant?
Are you able to do a compression check of the four
cylinders?   This kind of question is like asking your
dentist if you need to fill a tooth or crown a tooth.
        gary
Date:    Mon, 7 Aug 2006 15:00:07 -0700
From:    Brian Workman <wkdrvanagon@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: head leaking....options? 86 westy

I know there is a ton on this in the archives...but I
still can't make
complete sense of my options (rookie).  Despite asking
the PO
specifically if there were head gasket leaks (he said
no), I believe I have a
weepy head gasket.  After sealing up oil leaks and
doing a coolant flush
after I bought the van, I am consistently loosing
coolant, though I
don't see any drips.  Upon going through the PO's old
records I found a
folded up (didn't noticed this before I bought it)
reciept that stated
heads were leaking.  The mechanic at the time
recommended a sealer of
some sort.  That was in January of 04...apprx 17000
miles ago.  It is not
overheating, or running poorly...just having to top
off coolant every
3-400 miles.  What I am wondering is....what are my
options.  Do I just
wait until it starts leaking internally and take care
of it then....or
am I sitting on a time-bomb that I should address
right away.   I
noticed some posts about the subaru conditioner.
Should I go that
 route or is it too late for such things.

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