Felix Martel wrote: "My '86 Syncro Westy tends to accumulate
air in the cooling system."

Although it could be the valve in the radiator cap, I've had
this symptom four times in the 120K kilometers on my '84
Westy and each time it was combustion gases leaking into the
cooling system.

Although the VW delearships who fixed the problem said that
they replaced the head gasket, in fact I believe that the
leaking seal is a metal compression ring.  So far VW has
been paying for most of the repair cost.  Although my
mileage is high enough now that I suspect they won't next
time.

I hope that a radiator cap fixes your problem.

Shelby
shelby.brumelle@ubc.ca