Doug,  one more thing....

The smell of coolant INSIDE the van usually indicates a problem with
either the front (under the dash) hearter core, or the rear (under the
rear seat) heater core. In the case of the rear heater - it may not be
the core at all but instead the a leak of the seal at the Summer/winter
valve on the side of the heater.

Lift the seat up and feel around on the the floor beside the heater. If
it is damp and discolored - t hat's where  your leak is. If y ou rear
heater cover has already been altered, then it is easy to remove the
cover to get at the valve to replace the seal. If not - then there is
going to be a bit of work ahead to alter the heater cover.Take a look
and let us know.

Finally - if your rear heater area is dry - then your problem my be the
front core under the dash - and that is a whole different set of problems.

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

John Rodgers wrote:
> Doug, Welcome Aboard!!
>
> WE have a good crowd, and you are in luck - we have some good
> Vanagoneers in OK. I know they will respond.
>
> Sounds like you have a few issues, but let me address a couple - the
> tapping sound, and fuel system fires.
>
> All vanagons with the 2.1L WBX engine - which you probably have - all
> have hydraulic lifters and they periodically will leak down. They do it
> in a random order for no apparent reason. Not to worry - just drive it a
> few miles at speed and it will usually go away. One caveat - if your
> engine is old- lots of miles - you could have a worn lifter, in which
> case it's another story. At the first opportunity, change the oil to
> 15W50 Mobil One or other 15W50 high grade oil. This is important on
> these engines. Also, change the filter to a Mann or a Mahle Oil filter.
> These two seem to be the only filters that have an internal oil pressure
> relief spring strong enough to hold the oil in the oil galleries when
> the engine is shut down. This little feature is what prevents the
> lifters from going flat when the engine is sitting and not being run.
>
> The other item of VERY SERIOUS note is the propensity for Vanagons to
> burn. A burning Vanagon is a horrible site to behold, especially when
> it's yours. Without delay - like don't even run it tomorrow - until you
> change the fuel hoses on our favorite little beastie. It is relatively
> easy to do, but you want to change out all fuel hoses in the engine
> compartment pronto. Including the hoses on the fuel rail and the fuel
> injectors. Go to www.vanagon.com and you will find a list of parts
> vendors that cater to Vanagon owners. They are a good bunch of guys and
> are always willing to provide advice and guidance to most any problem.
> This is one of the great things about owning a Vanagon. There's not
> another group out there like them or us. We have a unique relationship.
> Whomever you talk to amongst the vendors, be sure to ask for their
> complete fuel injection hose kit. That should get you the right high
> pressure hose for the job plus the clamps and the short hoses for the
> injectors. To do the job, you will need at least a pair of pliers, a
> common and Phillips screwdriver, and a small socket wrench set and an
> Xacto knife with two or three blades. The kits I have bought have the
> instructions and graphics for doing the job. The kits will come with
> injector seals. Replace all - do not shortcut. Cost is around $60-65 the
> last time I looked. Don't put this off. Better put something else off.
>
> Some of the other folk will chime in her for sure.
>
> Good luck.
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>
> Douglas and Annie Dodson-M�uck wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I'm a first time owner of an '87 Vanagon GL and don't have any
>> experience with VWs.  I purchased it back in July from an individual
>> through Craigslist, drove it for a couple of months and started
>> having trouble with it. The issues I'm having include oil leaks from
>> yet determined origins,  a tapping noise, the engine belching white
>> smoke at initial startup and the unmistakable odor of coolant  the
>> last time I drove it.  The odometer reads over 187 K and had the oil
>> leaks upon purchase, everything else is recent.  I'm sitting down,
>> have braced myself and think I'm prepared for the prognosis.
>>
>> I reside between Tulsa and Stillwater in Oklahoma and would
>> appreciate advice from any Vanheads in the area who could direct me
>> to a local Vdub mechanic who may be able to help with a diagnosis.
>>
>> Thanks to all,
>> ~ Doug
>>
>>
>>
>> Harm None, Do What You Will
>>
>>
>>
>
>