There are lots of places that these engines can leak coolant. When I bought
my 85 Vanagon it had mildly overheated as a result of a small pipe on the
rear bumper end of the passenger side head leaking after rusting out. It
cost $20 and that was the end of it.

Later I had a leak from a water pump. Now I have a slight leak from a
gasket between the therostat housing and the water pump housing. Water temp
sensors can leak, expansion tanks and any one of the seeming kilometres of
hose. Best to look for it carefully before changing stuff. Also a famous
place is the rear heater  core although youd smell that with the rear
heater turned on and it leaks in the vehicle not outside. The radiator may
also be leaking.

>I installed a VW remanufactured engine just over a year ago.  Wasn't able to
>make it legal and on the road until October '97.  Yesterday, after only 3000
>miles, I found a dripping from the engine.  I hope it is one of the little
>hoses that go into the oil cooler, but it only leaks after a highway drive.
>Driving around town, it doesn't leak.  Hoses, in my experience, always leak.
>What I was wondering is if the heads tend to leak in one particular place, or
>can they fail at any point where they contact the gasket?  Before I get all
>worked up and call Volkswagon I want to make sure it isn't just a hose, but I
>thought I would get some imput first.  I ordered the hoses this morning and
>hope to install them this weekend, weather dependent.  Just shareing my
>misery.

Alan Pickersgill
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
'85 Transporter (modified as camper) 183,000km