Ok, looked a bit closer, and what I thought was a welded seam was actually
the head gasket (on the driver's side)

Helps to look at the engine when it's not so darn hot! :)

Ok, so does anyone have a mechanic they can recommend for this job? Someone
who will do just the right amount of work (say, just the head gasket if
that's all that's needed) and not charge me through the nose? Someone who
will give me a straight talk with no bullshit?

Please reply to me directly at fryday@california.com

Thanks!

Philippe
fuzzy@california.com - 415-505-0786 - www.CreateTheWorldYouDream.com
"Create the world you dream with every choice you make!" -- Stephen C. Paul
"Some men see things as they are, and say 'Why?' I dream things that never
were, and say 'Why not?'" -- George Bernard Shaw
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one
can go." --T. S. Eliot

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Guzyk [mailto:paullist@guzyk.com]
> Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:54 PM
> To: Fuzzy :philippe
> Subject: Re: Coolant leak from the engine!
>
> hmmm, without seeing the van (or a photo) it's hard to say...it could
> be the head gasket?
>
>
>
>
> >thanks paul!
> >
> >yep, took the tin (that's the bolted-on metal plate, right?) off and
> >it does seem to be coming from a seam on the engine.
> >
> >ideas?
> >
> >
> >-p
> >
> >--
> >fuzzy@california.com
> >(sent from my mobile phone)
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Paul Guzyk <paullist@guzyk.com>
> >Date: Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 8:14 pm
> >Subject: Re: Coolant leak from the engine!
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> >If you have a 2.1, check the small rubber coolant hoses going to the
> >oil cooler, they leak sometimes.
> >>
> >>If not leaking by the oil cooler, Next step would be to remove the
> >>pushrod tin to see for sure where it is leaking.
> >>
> >>Or, post a photo somewhere then put a link on this list for reader
input...
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>
> >>Last night I discovered a coolant leak on my engine. It appears to be on
a
> >>welded seam under behind a bolted-on metal panel close to the oil
filter.
> >>The drip amount is low, but enough that I can simply ignore it. Seems
like
> >>it would be possible to simply weld the leak shut, but I know little
about
> >>of these things. All I know it's possible to weld aluminum (with a TIG?)
and
> >>it appears like it would be a simple job.
> >>