Check the plastic coolant tank (the one with the sensor in it) for 
cracks.  It had craked on mine.  MUCH cheaper than heads.

Trace Choulat
tchoul@unf.edu

On Sat, 9 Mar 1996, S.Chroszy wrote:

> I have an automatic 86 Vanagon w. air. Yesterday, I was driving along and
> my coolant tempature gage light went off. I checked my coolant expansion
> tank and it was empty. I refilled it and light went off and everything was
> fine. Today , I checked the coolant and it seemed lower than when I filled
> it, but not as low as yesterday.  There seems to be no puddles of coolant
> forming under the car or visible leaking.  Could this be a fluke, bad water
> pump or the dreaded head gasket. Thank you for any advice.
> 
> 
>