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aguabonita
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2005
Posts: 267
Location: Monterey, CA
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 Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: newbi ? - headgaskets |
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Hi, I recently bought an '87 westy and I would like to know how well my headgaskets are holding up. What is a "easy" way of determining this? Should I just watch the coolant level?
thanks  |
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weinerwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004
Posts: 1548
Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:24 am Post subject: |
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Good rule of thumb:
1. Engine overheats after all the fluid drains out from under the van
2. Puddles of green (blue for the pureist) (rust for the lazy) fluids under the van.
4. Dripping fluid from the head gasket next to the casing.
5. Whiff of anti freeze smell when you walk past the engine vents.
6. Red warning lite on the temp guage starts flashing while on a long uphill
pull far far away from the nearest German Auto Repair.
7. (Diesel) Milky coloured motor oil.
8. (Diesel) Bubbles in water bottle when started cold.
9. Gyser of hot fluid shooting out the water bottle when cap is removed.
Just a few symptoms....Been there done that....  |
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mrchris42
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2006
Posts: 28
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:03 am Post subject: |
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You could just replace the gaskets, then you would know that their new!!
I like the suggestions above (WW)!
I don't think you'll ever know -- until they're leaking. You can also make sure both heads are grounded to the block and/or firewall to help prevent electrolysis. Also make sure to change the coolant every two years or so to slow the degradation/corrosion process. |
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weinerwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004
Posts: 1548
Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| Good grounds on the engine help slow down the messy old forest growth that occurs between the heads and the case |
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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clean the underside of the engine, then you'll be able to see after running around a bit if there are any leaks.......and where.
Here's a suggestion if you're a new owner:
Before you worry too much about anything else, replace that fuel line.... all of it. Even if it looks brand spankin new  |
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aguabonita
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2005
Posts: 267
Location: Monterey, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: why the fuel line? |
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May I ask why, i'm very new to this (as you can probably tell).  |
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Well....if I still had all the photos of burnt-to-a-crisp vanagons, I would just post about 10 of those.
These vanagons are 20 years old now, and a lot of them have the original fuel lines, leaking. Very common are leaks up by the front gas tank, and these are too dangerous. But if you get a leak at the back, by the engine, especially that 20 year old plastic connector that just falls to pieces when you touch it...... |
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