May not be what the others on this list would do, but I'd take it in to my
trusty mechanic and do a coolant system pressure test.  Let it stand for a
period of time, perhaps overnight, with ten or 13 psi on the system and see
if it develops that puddle again.  If so, you can trace where it came from.
If not, you're PROBABLY OK.  I say probably because cold engine pressure is
not quite the same as having dynamic pressure with coolant running through
the system at operating temp.  But it is a start!

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: john silverman <jsilver@AROS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 1999 7:14 PM
Subject: Do I need a head job???

> A few weeks ago, I had noticed a small coolant puddle below the right rear
> of the engine, and a few small drips off the frame.  I took Vic (our 90
> Syncro Westy) around to a few shops, and with cursory glances all told me
> that it was the head gasket (The H20 pump was repalced last year, about
7500
> miles ago).  There is a little damp type stain around the head covers (or
> whatever the parts that cover the engine are).  Since then, several trips
> and a total of about 1800-2200 miles, there has been absolutely no sign of
> leakage: No drips on the ground, no visible loss of coolant, No change in
> operating conditions, no nothing.
>
> So... is it probable that the initial leak was due to head gasket, and it
is
> only a matter of time before the leak rears it's ugly head again?  should
I
> think about getting the heads repaired sooner than that? Or, should i be
> looking elsewhere for the cause of the leak?  Or What?
>
> Thanks
> John
> 90 Syncro Westy, Vic,  80000 miles
> SLC