I've yet to use any stop leak product and I'm certainly not going to
until I resolve the leak at that distribution junction. I definitely
plan to fix what I know is broke, as soon as I know...well...what is
broke to fix. Ya know?

Right now we're getting several inches of snow here in Indy so the van
will have to sit while I deal with other issues (ie. the wife's Sable
is suffering some problems right now).

At this rate I may be looking for a snow tire for my Honda scooter :^)

BTW, the Vanagon's a 4spd.

Mark K
1986 GL/2WD/4SPD

On Jan 26, 2009, at 5:25 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:

> that coolant distributor.......
> they like to crumble where a hose goes on.
> I don't see too many of them failing.........but they sure do.
>
> there are 3 or 4 version of that part.
> the 'real way' to get the right part is to get the part number off it.
> I recommend Van Cafe , and I think their site says this same
> thing ....
> only way to be sure is by part # on the old part.
>
> I wouldn't dream of going on a major trip with out a fairly new on
> installed..
> or at least a good used back-up on on baord.
> it would be a very hard part to subsitue for.......like with
> hardware store
> parts.
>
> the hoses ...........sure they can fail.......though it's rare.
> you don't say which trans you have.....
> but on the auto trans 86 and above 2WD vanagons ...........the hose
> that
> goes over the top of the torque converter/bell housing area......
> that gets blasted with heat and AFF oily fumes..........eats it
> right out
> after a long time - gets mushy and soft.
>
> on my personal van I used some syncro pipes that also go over the bell
> housing in a syncro........part of one of those pipes to replace
> most of
> that rubber hose going over the torque converter, with steel pipe
> from a
> syncro.  it's the right size and shape metal pipe too.
> heat shield works too of course.
> otherwise.............some of the best coolant hoses in car-dom !  -
> on
> vanagons.
>
> the plastic thermostat housings like to melt or turn to junk too.,
> on the
> 2.1.
> A syncro t-stat housing is made of aluminum can be installed instead
> though.
>
> I'd say, first step is ...........remove the Offending Part.
> ( also falls under 'Fix what you know is broken. )
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark A Kippert" <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 1:16 PM
> Subject: Re: Head gasket leaking. Bummer.
>
>
>> After no leaks for about 2 days the leak is back and then some.
>>
>> Sunday, a few hours after a trip to the hardware store (20-25 mile
>> round trip), I went out to go somewhere else. I then noticed a wet
>> spot about 18" in diameter (previously about a 5" spot). I didn't
>> have
>> time to crawl under and look so I drove my truck. Last night I pulled
>> the van a few feet forward in the drive. This morning I see a new
>> spot
>> about 12" round.
>>
>> This time I crawled under. I didn't notice any coolant on the head
>> but
>> got some on my finger if I rubbed it (passenger's side, rear cyl). It
>> was then that I realized the wet spot was more than a foot forward of
>> the head. So I start looking around and see a slow drip coming from
>> that distribution junction behind the firewall, near the starter.
>>
>> I don't know if the junction is bad or if I have a bad hose. Until I
>> find the time I'm just going to have to stop driving it, cause I sure
>> don't want a hose to burst, or the junction to fail and suffer a mass
>> loss of coolant.
>>
>> Now it has me wondering if the head is actually leaking, or if the
>> coolant on the underside of the engine just made it's way from that
>> junction. However if it were only coming from the junction, you'd
>> think it would be on the forward cylinder as well.
>>
>> So I suspect I now have two leaks. Argh.
>>
>> Mark K
>> 1986 GL 2WD
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 25, 2009, at 1:19 PM, Mark A Kippert wrote:
>>
>>> OK, here's the weird thing. After receiving the Bars suggestion I
>>> went
>>> out and bought some. This was Friday I believe. I've been waiting
>>> for
>>> it to leak out enough to pour in the Bars. The leak appears to have
>>> stopped!?!? No telltale drips on the underside of the head/engine.
>>> No
>>> puddle or wet spot on the ground. Nothing. Odd.
>>>
>>> Mark K
>>> 1986 GL 2WD
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jan 25, 2009, at 9:25 AM, dylan friedman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dave and many others have had similar experience with the stop leak
>>>> products.
>>>> A weep or occasional drip will dry up and the van can be run for
>>>> more miles.
>>>> If a pool or puddle collects on the ground after driving, do
>>>> yourself a favor and have the heads resealed.
>>>>
>>>> dylan
>>>>