Hey Jeff, 

That is a very common area to have a crack.  Are these AMC or OG VW heads?  The OG VW heads are prone to cracking.  An easy way to tell is to use a small butane torch to heat that area of the head.  Water will begin to "seep" from the previously invisible crack.  

Of course, if may just be the nut.

Cheers, 

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of J Stewart
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanagon Head Leaking Around The Head Nut(S)

OK I've posted some of this story on Facebook, just got back from Everybus. Condensed version: replaced right side head gasket two weeks ago. Put about 150 miles on the van before leaving Friday for Everybus, no problems (well couple of minor ones). 170 miles into the trip Friday coolant light starts blinking. Pull over, let it cool, top it off and hit the road. 10 miles later blinking again. Do the same. Repeat 3 more times but get to Everybus. Every time I stopped, nothing dripping from the van, engine is dry. Folks are telling me I didn't burp it. I'm skeptical. Today coming home it was low about every 100 miles, light would come on, but now I'm seeing drips from the right side. It "APPEARS", very hard to tell, but it appears to be leaking around one of the upper cylinder head nuts (torqued to 40lbs and I used the yellow goop) With the AFM, air filter, hoses, etc. it is hard to see, but that is what it is looking like. Is it customary to retorque the heads after xxx miles? Longing for an inline 4, Suby, Zetec, just about anything else besides this waterboxer!! Jeff 

Jeff Stewart