Have a leak down test and a hydrocarbons in the coolant test performed.
This will tell you weather or not you have an internal head gasket problem.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Berlett, Music <E7M7BER@TOE.TOWSON.EDU>
To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU <Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU>
Date: Monday, December 08, 1997 11:37 AM
Subject: Over heating problem

I've been lurking for a whole week now.  Time to ask some newbies questions.
I
have tried to find the answers in the archives so please be patient.

I have an overheating problem with the '84 vanagon.  There is no sign of
coolant on the ground.  Our VW mechanic figures there is a leak at the head.
Until now I had thought this was a coolant leak.  After a recent post I see
that there are different gaskets at the head and that there could actually
be
an exhaust leak into the coolant system.

What should I do to figure the exact problem?

Ed & Heather

84 Vanagon
86 Synchro