Date:         Tue, 12 Sep 2000 13:34:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject:      Poorman's Rebuild
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I have a 1.9l wbx that has low oil pressure.  The guage shows about 1 bar
(~15 psi) at 60 mph.  The red light comes on only at idle when hot.   I
would like to rebuild it before she blows.  It leaks very little if any
antifreeze, compression is good and  does not seem to burn any oil between
changes.  It has a new oil pump, new oil pressure relief spring, Manne
filter, 20W-50 oil.  I have put in new lifters and the spring loaded return
tubes.  I bought it a little over a year ago.
I am considering tearing it down and having the crank, rods and pistons
looked at by my local shop and going from there.
  I would be looking at  (in the best case) bearings, rings, seals, gasket
set.  The heads would have to be looked at too.
If I have doubts about the lower end, or get cold feet, Boston Bob says he
would take the torn-down engine as a core deposit.
What are the chances of the crank, pistons and rods being reusable?  If
they are marginal, I would go for the rebuilt motor.   The engine has about
125K on it.  Anyone gone this route before?  I do not plan to go to Mexico,
but I need an engine good enough for some decent length camping trips.
 It might run another summer or two as is, but I am not sure I want to
chance it.  (The clutch needs some attention anyway.)
I rebuilt the motor in my Suzuki Samurai and am very happy with it.  I have
never rebuilt a wbx, though.  Any first time wbx rebuilders out there?
                                                             Jay