Hi all, I'm new to the list but so happy to find y'all!

I've had my Westy almost a year. Two days ago, in start/stop traffic on the
highway in 80 degree temp, the temp needle rose and eventually the red
light came on. I pulled over, and saw the reservoir coolant level way low.
Added coolant. Made it home another 15 miles no problem. Next morning I
check the reservoir, almost empty again.

I am in southwestern Ohio, but returning home to Maine on April 14th, with
two cats who, shall we say, dislike travel. So...time is of the essence,
but so is a worry-free trip.

I took it to the one recommended mechanic in town, who used to own an '87
Syncro. He seemed less than excited about working on it, and went on about
how difficult they are to work on and that's why he sold his blah blah blah
but yeah go ahead and bring it in I'll take a look.

My problem is...I am not at all mechanically minded, not do I know how much
this should cost.

I don't know how to find another mechanic, and this place has a "good
reputation but also a reputation for being expensive".

Any thoughts on this would be most welcome and appreciated! Some have
suggested bubble of air in the system. I have no idea how much this repair
should cost.

Karen