From tickle@eng.mc.xerox.com Mon Nov 30 08:10 EST 1998
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 08:10:42 -0500
From: tickle@eng.mc.xerox.com (Terrence Tickle)
To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Subject: Vanagon Content - Need Advice
Cc: tickle@eng.mc.xerox.com

Hi,

Just when I thought I got everything set for the winter, my 83.5 wb threw a curve ball at me ...

(This is a new motor from VW dealer, less than 3000 miles.)

My wife was driving at highway speeds 55-60 mph.  Then the following happened within several seconds, then operation returned to normal with no problems for the rest of the day.
1) gradual loss of power (like she was  removing her foot from the accelerator)
2) she felt a sudden increase of heat from the heater (blowing on her feet)
3) a large cloud of white smoke visible in the rear view mirror

This was all within 5 - 10 seconds, then everything was ok.  When she got home, I could find no evidence of coolant anywhere, but the coolant level in the OVERFLOW tank was slightly down.  The coolant in the other (pressurized) coolant tank was full.

I have a very bad feeling about this, what do you think?

Thanks for your help.

Terry Tickle