I've had success on a 91 BMW 325i, using Bars Leak Head Gasket repair.  For
$10, I saved it from a rebuild, and now have put on 50k miles with no
further head gasket leaks!  YOU MUST make sure 100% of the coolant is out of
your system before adding this, and you MUST follow the instructions 100%,
with the joy we have in burping out all the air in the Vanagon system, it
may be a bit harder to use, but $10 vs. a tear down, I'd try this first.
http://www.barsproducts.com/bars_testimonials.htm

Obviously not a life-long fix, but product I now swear by.

Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie, with a 2.1L Syncro motor.
N. of Detroit

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kenneth Lewis
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 12:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Cooling questions still

Ed,
The internal head gasket may be leaking combustion gasses into the cooling
system. Do you notice a steady stream of bubbles into the reservoir(the tank
with the blue pressure cap)? The water pump could be shot. The thermostat
stuck, radiator clogged(does it get hot?). Does the radiator fan work on all
speeds?

Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/