My '84 has an unknown history prior to when I purchased it 5/97.  I have
always used premium fuel and someone in the past put the heads on using an
orange-colored sealant.  A VW tech told me that organ-colored sealant was
silicone-based and was the cause (at that time) for engine running hot.
Fortunately, I did not believe him as hot temps were from a dirty radiator.

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
'84 DL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynn Sheeley" <LSheeley@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 9:55 AM
Subject: LEAK

> Joe Romas wrote:
>
> >From what I've read they don't have the head problem in
> >Europe. Therefore it must be the gasoline/fuel injection, they have
carbs,
> >or the coolant. VW has always wanted phosphate free and ours always has
> >contained it until dex-cool. >>
>
> A long-time VW repair shop guy told me the reason European Vanagons don't
> have head troubles is the octane ratings for gasoline are higher. He said
if
> we would run high test we would have fewer erosion problems on heads. The
> low-octane gas causes higher heat levels in the head which results in the
> problems.
>
> Don't know if he is right, just passing it on.
>
> Lynn Sheeley
> 93 Eurovan
> The List Hat guy