Absolutley not normal. System is failing to maintian pressure and you have
the resultant hot spots. That gurgling is the result of boiling. Boiling
means liquid to vapor state changes with the massive, unequal cooling. Yes,
you are destroying gaskets and warping heads. First step is look for leaks,
tahn test or rpealce the pressure cap. If that fails, than look for internal
leaks.

Dennis

>From: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
>Reply-To: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Gurgling after engine shutoff... normal?
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:11:42 -0500
>
>It's hotter than hell around here, as I imagine it is in much of the
>hemisphere. I have recently noticed that after I park the car and
>turn the engine off, after 10 or 20 seconds I hear gurgling from the
>coolant reservoir. The one time I bothered to look I didn't see much
>going on except the main tank (which was full) trying to take in
>water from the expansion tank, which was dry.
>
>I added water and still it gurgled, presumable it needed more to
>"catch up" than what I put in. So, yesterday I added more.
>
>It still gurgles. Checked cool, the reservoir is completely full
>without a bubble. The car doesn't overheat (doesn't even get above
>the coolant light) except in a long line in direct heat with the AC
>on, and the coolant light operates as if the system is normal. The
>recent addition of water was the first time I have added any since
>January. There is no odor or antifreeze inside or outside the car
>that I can detect.
>
>Is this something that I have just now noticed that's been going on
>all seventeen years of ownership, and I just never noticed it before?
>Do other Vanagons gurgle like this?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jim