Ken, do you have the VW Part# and source for the "H" distribution piece?  L
have an '84, and one of the PO's or their mechanics had fabricated one from
plastic tees.

John in Middle GA
'84 DL

----- Original Message -----
From: kenneth d lewis <kdlewis@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: Coolant Reservoir Leak

> Bill;
>         If your van has the black " H" distribution pipe next to the
> reservoir (1983.5 to 1985 ) replace it also. This part failed on my
> wife's 85 allowing all the coolant to be released. The engine had then
> over heated so badly the rubber head gaskets had melted/blown out of the
> bottom. =8-0  The 86 to 91s also have a similar distribution pipe prone
> to failure. It is located on the passenger side above the axle.
> Drive Safely & Good Luck
> Ken Lewis<Kernersville,NC>86 VW crewcab;60 T-5 Coupe
>
> On Sat, 9 Oct 1999 22:52:34 -0700 Bill Transue <thetrans@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
> writes:
> >The advice seems to be unanimous.. plus I must say, after driving
> >safely
> >home I am feeling a bit wimpy about the whole thing.. given all that
> >us
> >vanagon owners go through, this is indeed a very simple and solvable
> >problem. Its my first expansion tank, so its the first time down the
> >road
> >for me. Thanks to all who took the time to give me some advice (Ken
> >Lewis,
> >John Lauterbach, etc..!).
> >
> >Bill
> >
> >At 08:53 PM 10/3/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >>> dismayed to find coolant and steam leaking out of a small crack
> >>> in the coolant reservoir. I never heard the fan come on, so I'm
> >>> wondering if I've got a coolant bubble somewhere.
> >>>
> >>> In any event, I'm assuming that the crack is a serious matter,
> >>> and that the coolant system needs full vacuum to function
> >>> properly.
> >>>
> >>> Questions:
> >>>
> >>> 1) Is my premise correct, or can I get by with such a small
> >>> crack?
> >>
> >>Not for long, assuming this is the expansion tank, not the overflow
> >tank.
> >>>
> >>> 2) Is this repairable? The crack can't be more than half an inch
> >>> at most... (David Marshall.. did this happen to you?)
> >>
> >>If expansion tank, replace sensor/washer/tank/tank cap   every 90K
> >miles.
> >>They just go bad.  Been through several sets.
> >>
> >>>
> >>> 3) If not repairable, any suggestions as to where to get a new
> >>> reservoir? I'm in Seattle, WA area.
> >>>
> >>
> >>The Bus Depot would probably be cheapest.  See vanagon.com web page.
> >>
> >>Cheers, Tom Neal
>
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