Date:         Thu, 24 Aug 2000 08:16:37 EDT
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Bearing wear
Comments: To: mark_hb@hotmail.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 8/23/00 11:50:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
mark_hb@hotmail.com writes:

<< Well then, based on what you just said, could the australian chip add to
 bearing wear??? Since you say below: "In the WBX engine, the case does not
 pound out BUT the bearings wear out quicker and sooner the harder the engine
 is pushed." .....
  >>

Mark,
It should not increase bearing wear any more than normal but can help because
the engine can make the power easier at lower RPMs, and you should not have
to hold each gear longer or at higher rpm to get to speed. Plus, All the
fluid temps should be reduced some, especially the oil temp, so the oil is
not at the upper temp limit which helps to keep the oil from getting too
thin.

Plus bearing wear also depends on how often you change the oil, the brand,
the weight and how you drive.  Some do not change the oil often and use a
lower weight.
Another factor is what RPM range you normally drive your engine do you drive
80, 90 take the RPMs to red line, run it hard trying to accelerate to speed.

It is true the engines can last a long time, @150,000 some even to 200,000+,
but others get less.  It depends on how the engine is driven and the care it
gets.


It comes down to: If the chip changes your driving habits to start you
pushing your engine harder (Faster and holding Higher RPMs longer beyond the
solid green zone), then it might fail sooner, BUT if you use the extra power
to simply get you to your normal driving a little sooner, then the chip will
help the engine last longer.


Adding the counterweights at rebuild time, makes the engine last longer and
run smoother and increases the bearing life beyond the 150,000 to 300,000.


Robert