Paul,
Last week I had similar problems on our big 5100 mile trip.  Leaving
Gardiner MT my coolant light blinked.  Added a quart of water, no problem.
In Helena, light on again - now I know an obvious problem.  Couldn't find
any leaks, nothing on the ground.  Topped it off and drove a few days,
pulled into downtown Spokane to see the huge Red Flyer wagon and what do I
smell, cooking antifreeze.  Turns out that the hose to our expansion tank
had a small leak around the hose clamp which I was able to temporarily fix
until buying the new hose at the dealer in the morning  and replace it in a
McDonald's parking lot.  Long story to say that you may have a similar hose
leak onto the exhaust, hard to find if it only leaks when running and hot
since it might burn off before hitting your garage floor.  Good Luck.

Jim,
Alamogordo NM
91 Syncro AW
99 NB TDI

----- Original Message -----
From: paul banks <paulbanks@NLLFAN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 1999 7:19 AM
Subject: Coolant loss at tank question

> I have experienced coolant loss at the fill tank area. It doesn't happen
every time I drive the vehicle. In fact, I drove it the other day for three
hours without any loss.
>
> I don't think it is the water pump as it doesn't leak when I pull on the
belt/pulley.
>
> Does anyone have an idea? Is it a bubble in the system or an indication
that gases are getting in the system?
>
> TIA
>
> Paul Banks
> '89 Vanagon Westfalia
>
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