I've got an 84 vanagon with a 1.9L engine with unknown hours of run
time. I just returned from a 400 mile trip and in those miles I never
stopped to look at the engine because things sounded fine. The temp
gauge works and it never gave me any indication things were getting
bad. Sitting in the driveway overnight it is now leaking coolant from
the driver's side through the tin that protects the pushrods. The
water pump and thermostat areas are bone dry. When I start the engine
coolant drips out the rear exhaust port (closest to the muffler)
immediately, but I haven't run the engine to temp. I am waiting in
line to borrow a leak down tester at the local auto parts store.  My
question is: can I have a bad head gasket without any symptoms (such
as overheating, white smoke, loss of power)? Am I just not noticing
the symptoms?