Eric, I usually pump the pressure up to 14 psi with a hand pump and a hose
attached to the expansion tank cap.  Walk away for 15 mins and then check
again.  If it is still holding then at worst you have a slight seep at the
head gasket that might leak a few ounces over the winter months in storage
but is nothing to really worry about.

If the pressure has dropped you should be able to see a drip on the ground
where the coolant has leaked.

Hope this helps you.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On Apr 13, 2014 1:48 PM, "Eric Bainbridge" <ericbainbridge@xplornet.com>
wrote:

> Hello my far-more-learned-than-I-am fellow VW owners.
>
>
>
> I am not only new to this list but also a relatively new Westy owner.
>
>
>
> I purchased my '89 Vanagon in the summer of 2012 and had no issues my first
> season, which was relatively short.
>
>
>
> Then, after having it parked/stored for the winter, I took it out again in
> the Spring of 2013.
>
>
>
> I noticed that my coolant reservoir over-flow tank was empty and so topped
> it up.  The main tank in the engine compartment remained at the same level.
> Still concerned, I had a pressure test done and nothing could be found but
> I
> had the coolant replaced regardless, as well as the expansion tank cap.  I
> was told by the mechanic who worked on it that the coolant leak was due to
> a
> faulty clamp and so he replaced it along with the line - I have also just
> recently learned that there are a total of 33 coolant lines in this
> vehicle!
>
>
>
> For the remainder of the 2013 season, only the occasional small top-up of
> the over-flow tank was required.  Temp gauge normal - no flashing L.E.D.
>
>
>
> This year, however, the same thing happened - but with a difference.  Not
> only was the overflow tank empty, the main tank in the engine compartment
> was also much lower (at about the half-way mark) and so I topped it up by
> about  a litre.  After driving for about 10 minutes, I stopped and checked
> it again as the temp gauge was higher (past the L.E.D., which was flashing)
> and so topped it up again.  This time by only about 250 ml.
>
>
>
> I did notice that the colour was somewhat reddish/greyish muddy-looking,
> with a slight film on the top of the remaining liquid.
>
>
>
> Today, however, I took 'er out for a good 30 minute drive and everything
> remained normal: overflow tank level unchanged, main tank level unchanged,
> temp gauge (once warmed up) stayed in the middle, where it should be.
>
>
>
> I have been reading the forums on The Samba regarding coolant leaks and
> short of a "leak down test" am not sure as how to proceed from here.  Is a
> leak-down test the same as a pressure test?
>
>
>
> Just prior to my purchasing the van, the engine had undergone a rebuild as
> it had over-heated and had a cracked head.
>
>
>
> Boston Bob did the bottom half and the top half was done locally.  New
> pistons, rings, cylinders, head, barrels, water pump as well as a new
> clutch
> and fuel pump.
>
>
>
> Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I have been told that
> a
> problem of this sort might not effect engine life in the short-term, it can
> wreak havoc over time.  I want to avoid havoc.
>
>
>
> Thanks a bunch guys!
>
>
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> 1989 Vanagon 2.1 manual
>