I drove my wifes 87 Vanagon to work yesterday to investigate "a blinking red
lite" .  It did blink and I started thinking about the cause.  I thougt I would
try to bleed the system to see if air may be evident, as I did this I had the
expansion tank cap off.  As the engine began to heat up the coolant started
bucking and spewing from the tank. I then saw a little oil slick in the
expansion tank .  What does this mean ?

I turned off the engine and removed the t-stat housing and found that there was
NO thermostat !  The PO must have taken it out and never replaced it. (that
explains limited heat last winter)  Could the t-stat have any effect on the red
led temp lite? What else should I look for ?

Thanks in advance
james b morris - Dallas, TX
69 Bug
73 Bus
87 Vanagon