Upon investigation today I found the following. Compression check reveals 100-105 lbs. in all cylinders except #3 which reads 0! Removing the valve cover shows all normal, except the valves on #3 seem to be moving more than they should. I guess I dropped a piston...

So: 1. can i get this engine fixed? $$$??? 2. should I just replace it? $$$$?? 3. what about a Subaru swap??? $$$$???

THANX EVERYONE! Matt

Stuart MacMillan wrote: > > Matthew Libby & Denise DeWolfe wrote: > > > > Can I drive the van 30+ miles to a mechanic without doing further > > damage? > > > Well, if you have been following the list you know what happened to me > when I pushed my engine too far! Chances are you can drive VERY slowly > for the 30 miles without catastrophic failure, and this engine will most > likely need a complete rebuild anyway. Disconnect the fuel injector > wiring connector on #3 so gas won't be shot into the failed cylinder. If > the power is as low as you say the other cylinders are probably in > pretty poor shape too, number three runs the hottest and is usually just > the first in line to go. > > You do run the risk of throwing a rod however, and not having an engine > to rebuild. > > A better idea is to join AAA Plus and have them tow it for free! Choose > your mechanic carefully and be prepared to fix it right, half a***d > repairs won't last on these air cooled engines, they work much too hard > in the heavy Vanagon campers and everything has to be perfect for a > reasonable service life, as you can see. If you need a complete rebuild > I would recommend an engine from a production rebuilder, such as are on > the list, rather than having a local mechanic do the rebuild. Line > mechanics, especially those in independent shops, just don't have the > facilities or time to give this task proper attention. Just have them > do the removal and installation, making sure all the cooling sheet > metal, etc. is installed and working properly. > > Keep in mind that if you like the camper and use it, it will be worth > putting a new, reliable engine in it! If you are in doubt, sell it as > is and move on. > > -- > Stuart MacMillan > Seattle > > '84 Vanagon Westfalia > '65 MGB (Driven since 1969) > '74 MGB GT (Restoring) > > Assisting on Restoration: > '72 MGB GT (Daughter's) > '64 MGB (Son's) > > Parts cars: > '68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT