Scott,

Sounds like a pressure test is in order. Yes, I check the flange on the
head, but will check again, as it's leaked before. Could be the steam I saw
was residual coolant in the b/h area, as I only ran it 15 minutes or so.
It's a slow leak, like maybe 1-2" in fill tank after 1000 miles, but it
hasn't leaked a drop since the rebuild until now. Frost plugs were replaced,
which is what made me think of them.

On Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 9:24 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> can you pressure test it ?
> I did see one diesel block cracked right at a head bolt hole on that end of
> the block once.
> Just that one ever though.
>
> and that flange on the end  of the head ......you checked that ?
> leaking freeze plug seems unlikely to me , at least I have never seen one
> ....maybe one on the underside of the block ..
> but never in the bell housing area. .
> Head gasket possibly of course.  I don't like to see the heads left on
> 'just forever' ..like 8 years is a long time.
>
> pressure test would be a good test to do.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shawn Wright" <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 8:52 PM
> Subject: I-4 coolant leak from block?
>
>
>
>  My 1.6TD has developed a coolant leak which appears to be from the end of
>> the block - coolant is appearing between the block and bellhousing.
>> Possibilities I can think of are failed head gasket right at end of block,
>> leaking frost plug on end, or cracked block. Anything else I should check?
>> I
>> just took it for a drive to get hot, and then looked everywhere for leaks
>> but all I could find is dampness/steam on the bellhousing area - all the
>> hoses/fittings appear dry.
>>
>> Yes... it's back on the road, and no, I don't want to talk about brakes.
>> :-/
>> --
>> Shawn Wright
>> '88 TD Westy
>>
>
>

--
Shawn Wright