John,
I don't think the Bar's leak is always the raditor/heater core final straw.
I believe it is the alumaSeal, and the bronze powder that the PO of your
vehicle didn't happen to mention as you paid him for the Van. This sealer
will plug up the heater core's & radiator real fast,and you didn't even know
it was in the system as you poured the bars Lark into the expansion tank.

Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Bange" <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 1:24 AM
Subject: Re: limping with leaking heads

> > I'm past 5 years since purchase at 130,000 miles.
> >   Had the yellow/green coolant when I bought it and I've added bars leak
> > (normal size) twice in that time. After the bars leak stays leak free a
> > couple years as a daily driver. I don't expect the bars leak to preform
> > miracles but for $3 a shot; problem solved.
> >   183,000 miles,original engine. Going STRONG and my heaters work GREAT
> > (Wisconsin).
> >
> >
> I would definitely add the caveat of "your mileage may vary" to that. A
> relatively clear radiator and heater cores won't be bothered (much) by a
> little Barr's, but I've seen cruddy but serviceable radiators stopped
> right
> up by the stuff, solving a minor leak only to create a chronic overheating
> situation. 'Course if you're just looking for band aid solutions, that's
> definitely one of 'em.
>
> --
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
> "Staubkess bolt? I have one of those?"
>