Hi Max,
I've experienced simmilar�drips over�my years under many vans.

I would say right off the bat to double check the tightness of all of the pipes and�hose clamps on the water pump.� The large metal pipe with the two allen head bolts that goes to the thermostat sometimes can leak if the o-ring is old or not seated well.�

Then check the hose clamps on the oil cooler itself. It is real hard to�work in that space.� You may have the VW springy clamp rather than the aftermarket screw type clamps there.� Make sure that he clamps are�holding the ruber hose and not teatering on the ring-ridge on the metal tubes coming out of the oil cooler. Make sure the clamps are creating a good tight fit.

Also a long shot would be how crusty and rusty�are the metal pipes?� You could get leakage from there if they are corroded.� Time for new pipes.

Also I doubt that the oil cooler would develop a crack.� They are pretty thick aluminum, perhaps someone else on this list has seen them cracked, I have not.� I have seen them leak oil because they came loose or the rubber o-ring was leaking, but never coolant.
�Joel Cort 

Founding Member of the Empire VW Camping Club
&
Westies at Watkins - www.westies-at-watkins.org 

----- Original Message ----
From: Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Saturday, October 4, 2008 1:32:24 PM
Subject: Mysterious Coolant Drip 2.1

Troops:� Ever since R&Ring my metal coolant pipe a few weeks ago, I
have had a slight orange coolant drip that is a pain to figure out
where it's coming from.� Nothing at the pipe is wet, nor any of the
hoses that go into or out of the oil cooler, but still a single drop
of coolant will form on the low spot of the oil cooler and then drop
to the ground every 3-4 minutes after the engine has shut off.� Can't
say for sure if the dripping occurs after the engine cools or not.� I
just drove 700 miles this week on the road and lost maybe a total of
an inch of coolant in the overflow tank, so this is not a huge leak.

Any idea where this could be coming from?� Crack in the oil
cooler?� The HEPU pump is barely a year old.� I didn't use silicone
sealer with the replacement o ring on the pipe, but I can't see where
the coolant would be coming from.� I can't believe that the silver
soldering job done on the pipe would warp the mating surface so badly
that an o ring would leak and I'm like 99% sure I got the o ring
seated properly.

Thanks

DM&FS