Thanks for the input.  I'm hoping to travel from Michigan to North Carolina
next summer with the wife and kids, so I'm trying to manage risk along with
a tight budget.  Sounds like continuing to add coolant is an option that
might get me through next summer.  After that, I'll have to decide whether
it makes sense to spend the money to reseal with new head gaskets, or save
up for an engine conversion.

OR - I could keep it running the same way the Vietnamese keep those old Army
jeeps and trucks running - a big drum of water on the roof with a line going
directly into the engine (the outlet goes onto the ground).  Just refill at
the next stop - no need for those old rusted out radiators!!

Mark

On 1/1/07, dylan friedman <insyncro@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> imo,
> you are pushing the cooling system to the limit.
> expect a water pump failure at some point.
> this is not a good idea because if it happens at highway speeds, you will
> overheat the engine and surely cause damage.
> just reseal it and than you will be able to get more miles out of it.
>
> when you are ready for reliability, drop a subaru in it.
>
> dylan
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Mark Brush <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 4:18:47 PM
> Subject: limping with leaking heads
>
> Hi all -
>
> Anyone have experience with pushing leaking head gaskets to the
> limit?  How
> long can one expect to resonably drive with leaking head gaskets?  It's a
> tiny drip in the summer (about a susan b. anthony in size on the driveway
> after two days), and a small puddle in the winter.  Can I keep adding
> coolant until she goes?  Any dangers in doing this other than being
> stranded
> somewhere?
>
> thanks for any insights.
>
> Mark B.
> 1990 Westy
>
>
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