Rough day for the Westfalia

George took the van back to California Westys after yesterdays radiator overflow.   It took three trial runs around ElCajon and back to eventually  recreate the problem.  Unfortunately, George was fifteen miles from the shop, East on Interstate 8......After climbing to 2500 ft, while running the AC on high and accelerating up to 70 mph the van began to overheat, bubble radiator fluid out the overflow chamber,  and continue to overheat even after 3 tries of stopping and cooling down.  Cesar and his lead mechanic, Daniel, came to the rescue. Daniel drained the remaining hot coolant (????) from the overflow chamber, and refill with water. Off they went back to the garage, no overheating.....no incident.....Not!!! Cesar said that fluid was spewing out the back as he followed the van. Daniel thought it might be the head gasket....all three mechanic were very perplexed....the van runs like a dream, looks unbelievably awesome, and too fun to drive.  It just overheats while purring like a kitten ?????   Karla and Sharon had to drive down and pickup George,,,leaving the van with Cesar and crew.
   Plan: Put the van in a bay, remove the engine, check the head gaskets, regrind and replace, put it back together, and try again. All this should be accomplished by Wednesday.


     New itinerary:  Go to Santa Barbara with sister Sharon tomorrow, come back to Temecula. Rent a car Saturday. Go to LasVegas Sunday as previously planned, perhaps continue to Zion and Bryce, then come back and pick up the completed van. Then restart THE TRIP...........


Don't give up......perservere....." Damn, I'm stuck in warm, sunny California, whatever shall I do???"
Smile........