The Subaru "head conditioner" is basically a higher quality stop leak. It
works by seeping into small spaces and setting up to stop leaks. Subaru head
gaskets and Vanagon Water boxers are not related in design or function. The
Subaru is a cylinder cast in block, (parent bore) which offers lots of flat
spaces for the gasket to seal. The VW is motor like a truck motor with
removable cylinder sleeves and the outer gasket does nothing more than hold
the coolant. While stop leaks can buy some time there is always the risk of
heater cores and radiators getting plugged and if the gasket is failing due
to over heating or corroiosn pushing into it at some point there will be the
catastrophic rip-tear failure making you wait for a tow.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steve Cotsford
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 10:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Coolant I use in my 1990 with stock 2.1

What is this Subaru cylinder head conditioning magic?   Thanks  Steve

On Jan 14, 2014, at 8:53 AM, David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@AOL.COM> wrote:

> Back before the blue VW factory coolant went extinct I compared the
"ingredients" of that VW coolant with Honda factory coolant. Exactly the
same for the first 6 or so listed and the last few the same in different
orders. It has worked perfectly for me for almost 10 yrs. with the same
engine. Having worked in the service depts. of Honda and VW I can attest to
the Honda being about 1/3 the price of the BMW Pentosin. I do have some of
the normal seepage from the heads during the change of seasons, but hardly
enough to change the level and never visible on the ground-only detectable
by slight odor. I usually add 2 of the small Subaru cylinder head
conditioning magic to the coolant if I have to drain it completely to change
a hose or tank. YMMV.
>
> David Clarkson
> Equipment Consultant
> Southern Automotive Garage Equipment
> sageautoequipment.com
> dvdclarksn@aol.com