[Vwdiesel] Foamy expansion tank but no big pressure issues??

[Travis Gottschalk]

Have you checked cylinder pressures? Is there any white smoke at start up or running? 
 
> From: vwdiesel-request at vwfans.com
> Subject: Vwdiesel Digest, Vol 91, Issue 5
> To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 12:00:02 -0700
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> I've got 1000 miles on this completely rebuilt 1.6NA in '82 Westy #2,
> and I'm trying to figure out what's going on. PO blew his engine
> because the coolant leaked out from "somewhere." I replaced all the
> hoses, but not the steel lines, radiator and heater core.
> 
> Radiator stays topped off with coolant, it'll push out a little if I
> open the bleeder valve right when I start the van.
> 
> The coolant reservoir gets a little bit low while driving even 20 miles
> or so, and it's not pulling fresh coolant from the overflow tank.
> 
> I put a pressure tester on the system, and didn't see any pressure
> buildup in 3 mins (well, when I revved it and it started heating up I
> saw the pressure drop on revs and go up when let back to idle).
> 
> There are obvious bubbles/foam coming from the octopus hose to the
> expansion tank.
> 
> I always assume this is a head gasket issue, but dang, it's not
> overheating (drove it 75 miles today), and it's not having pressure
> issues.
> 
> I don't see any obvious leaks when pressure testing the system, although
> it does drop a teeny tiny bit (maybe 1 psi over 2 mins?)
> 
> I need the van to be reliable to travel remotely with small children
> this summer, pulling the head isn't a huge job - more of an issue is
> that my rebuilder's on vacation. Furthermore, I'd rather get the rings
> all broken in before I open this thing up again.
> 
> Any other possibilities/experiences that WEREN'T a blown head gasket??
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Will in Alaska.
> 
> 
> 
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> End of Vwdiesel Digest, Vol 91, Issue 5
> ***************************************