Hello everyone, first time poster (and T van newb) so please forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere. I've done my best to search around on here but likely missed the relevant info. Just picked up a 1986 Vanwagon with 166k and am desperately in love... trying to figure out maintenance/repairs to keep this thing running for the next hundred years (hah), but I am a self-proclaimed car idiot.
One of the issues I've noticed so far is that the coolant level keeps getting low. I fill the coolant overflow tank to the "full when cool" fill line, but then after only 50 miles or so the level is noticeably below the line. When checking under the radiator cap, I also don't see coolant in the filler neck when the engine is cool...
I saw in the "basics" section that "If the coolant regularly disappears (that is, the van needs coolant added to the overflow more than around once a year) or there is little or no coolant visible at the filler neck, the van has a serious problem." so naturally I'm concerned. But the van drives perfectly and I don't find any coolant leaking from the bottom of the van when parked, no residue on the ground. So it seems to happen more when I'm on the road, yet even when the coolant is low, my engine temp is nominal. Any thoughts as to where I should be looking?
The only other known issues I've found are:
Seeping valve cover gasket
Code 11 (faulty TPS I'm guessing)
U joints have some play
Doubtful these ^^ have anything to do with it, but figured I'd include because why not. Any advice is greatly appreciated!! So grateful to everyone on here helping keep these treasures on the road.
Gus