You wouldn't be the first to have a head crack in the exhaust port area. The fear here is that should the engine stop with that exhaust valve open the coolant will land in the cylinder. This will damage the piston over time and can contaminate the oil damaging the bearings. The o2 sensor and catalyst will also be destroyed. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of thewestyman
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2018 11:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Coolant in exhaust

Would anyone have an idea?
Zoltan

-----Original Message-----
From: thewestyman
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2018 1:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Coolant in exhaust

Question;

I noticed coolant in the exhaust in my 89 van.

How is that possible?  What went wrong? Could the head be cracked?  Maybe the gasket ring did not seal?

Zoltan