I lived in fear of the head leake problem until it actually happened to
me. Armed with a Bentley, a gasket set, JB Weld and the info I got from the
folks on this list I fixed the right head myself for about $100; and I am NO
mechanic. While it WAS a fairly big job it was NOT all that complex nor did
it really require any special tools other than a torque wrench and a couple
of odd sized sockets.
   I am told, and I believe, that once one side leaks you can expect the
other side to leak sometime in the next 5-10000 miles or so. That being the
case I now keep an eye on the left head and I plan to replace the gasket,
leak or no, when summer comes and I can work in the driveway for a couple of
days. I do not look forward to the job but I no longer fear it. A hundred
bucks and a greasy weekend is all it is (assuming no nasty surprises that
sometimes occur with ANY repair job).
   Knowing what I know now; were I to purchase another Westy and were I to
find one that otherwise suits me the head gasket problem would not be a
major factor in my purchase decision. I look on it now as I would tires;
something that, sooner or later, the Vanagon needs and something that is
just not that big a deal.
   If you can swing a wrench at all I see no reason why you could not do the
job yourself for about the same costs. It is only when you go see your local
dealer that the $1000-$1500 costs loom large.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Larry L. Bissell
Sent: Sun, March 14, 1999 10:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:

I am interested in buying a watercooled Vanagon, and I have unconfirmed
knowledge about the motor.

Is it true that the watercooled Vanagon ['86-'88?] have a problem with
the head gasket leaking? Was this problem fixed ['89+]?.

Also...are Vanagons w/ v6 much better than the ones w/ v4?

regards,

     LARRY L.BISSELL>>>>>>>>>> architect
|||| PO Box 12559    San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93406
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