Donna -- Sorry a supposedly competent shop let you down.  Definitely bad
workmanship whose  value is $0.00.  If you were lucky, you only have a
little air in the system that will bubble out when you drive van with
coolant in the overflow tank.  I have same thing happen to me when I had my
Vanagon at supposedly competent shop (maybe competent for air-cooled).

John

----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Skarloken" <dskarloken@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 12:59 PM
Subject: No Coolant in Small Tank Behind License Plate

> Happy Friday - I just picked up my 87 Syncro last night from a reputable
> garage where I had the coolant system flushed and replaced.  It was late
> and dark so I didn't check the coolant before I left the garage and had to
> drive about 25 miles home.  All seemed well, except when I parked and shut
> off the motor I could smell coolant VERY strongly.
>
> This morning I was all set to go to work but decided to take a look at the
> coolant level behind the license plate because that strong coolant smell
> bothered me and I was unable to check it the night before.  I discover NO
> coolant in the tank behind the license plate.  I had to go to work so
> could
> not do a further inspection, and it was still dark out.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I have not had any problem with low level or no coolant in this bottle
> prior to taking it to the shop to have the coolant flushed.  (I left a
> voicemail for the mechanic; he is quite busy so I am not sure what time
> today that he will get back to me and of course I am stressed out about
> this since I spent a whole bunch of money at that shop this week.  The
> shop
> does specialize in Vanagons, otherwise I would not have taken there).
>
> Thanks, and have a great Friday and weekend.
>
> Donna, 87 Syncro