i'l be curious how you avoid cracking the head(s) when you refilled  w/
coolant
did you wait hrs b4 putting coolant back in did wait till you could touch
the heads
then assume it cooled down enuff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Stokes" <bstokes4@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 10:23 AM
Subject: Overheated Westy '87

> While crusin' over a long bridge I threw my belts and the alternator
> light went on first, then a few minutes later the temp light went on with
> about 2 miles left to be able to coast into a service station off the
> bridge.  All the coolant was lost and it got so hot it melted the upper
> thermostat housing where the coolant escaped.   Since this incident, I
> have put about 700 miles on the car in city and highway driving
> conditions keeping close tabs for any coolant loss under the engine
> and/or oil consumption.  So far, there has been no evidence of any damage
> using these two criteria.  The car runs as good as it ever did.
>
> My question is what areas should targeted for more trouble shooting since
> this car got very hot.  Should all the hoses be changed because of the
> risk of integrity loss due to the high heat.  Also, what other components
> should be checked if any.  I don't want to have a catastrophic failure on
> a trip due to this heat event.  I am thinking positively and feeling that
> after 700 miles, no fluid loss, good running, and no oil consumption I
> may have dodged the bullet.  Any comments would be appreciated as to the
> best thing to ensure any future failures as a result of this event.
>
> Bill in St. Petersburg