Re:"Has anyone else experienced a temporary leak associated with cold  weatherstorage?"

Yes, but not the head gaskets.  It was my brake master cylinder, leaked fluid at about -20F.  Not exactly what you had in mind but does serve as a reminder that things other than head gaskets can leak in cold weather.

Mark in AK
>

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Lambas <twlambas@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Monday, February 12, 2007 3:18 pm
Subject: Coolant leak in cold storage
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Yesterday I noticed a small amount of coolant has been leaking
> from my
> 1.9Lmotor.
> As I recall this happened over the winter last year too
> (Minnesota). When I
> saw this last year
> I thought maybe my head gaskets were shot, but I after the weather
> warmed up
> a bit I changed the oil
> right away, and things were fine the rest of the year.  BTW, I'm
> using an
> orange Dexcool equivalent, and
> have been doing a partial replacement every year which seems to
> keep it
> looking pretty fresh.
> Last spring I replaced it all when I changed a couple of hoses.
>
> The Van is stored under a tarp all winter with a trickle charger
> going to
> keep the battery alive.  I won't
> crank it again until spring, and once again will change the oil
> and filter
> right away.
>
> Has anyone else experienced a temporary leak associated with cold
> weatherstorage?
>
> Should I drain the coolant before putting it away for the winter?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom L
>
> '84 westy
>