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Date:         Tue, 19 Sep 2000 09:47:55 +0200
Reply-To:     Nigel Bennett <NigelB@FOSCHINI.CO.ZA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nigel Bennett <NigelB@FOSCHINI.CO.ZA>
Subject:      Decided to Rebuild my 2.1
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi All

Pulled my 2.1 engine on the w/e under the guidance of my brother-in-law who is a registered BMW mechanic (took 3 hours and I lost plenty knuckle skin). Engine has about 200 000km (125k miles) on it. Head seals were hard as rock and the tappet cover (rocker cover) cork gaskets need to be scraped off because they have turned to wood. Oil pressure sending wire was cracked in places as well. Stripped the long allen bolt that holds done the A/C mounting bracket (still have to figure out how to get that out). Lower engine stud has also been stripped previously. Number 2 cylinder was *just* starting to burn a bit of oil. There's so much syrup-like goo plastered on the inside of the heads from the oil-thickner the PO used to check in. The heads: well, where can I start....Fine cracks in all 4 seats but passed a pressure test - requires 4 new exhaust valves, 8 guides and I've decided to spend more on fixing up those cracks - not much corrosion so I guess the heads were already done by the PO - may need skimming and fly cutting but the engineers will check.

Some of the water hoses were starting to puff up around the clamps. I will look at replacing most of the engine hoses as well as the rubber hose connected to the brake servo *that-should-be-a-hard-plastic-pipe*.

I got a great-looking gasket set from Germany ("Victor Reinz") and the gaskets do not look like other cheapo makes.

I must say I'm very lucky to have someone to guide me with this rebuild. One can never put a price to the knowledge gained by experience.

Can't wait to split the bottom end to see the condition of those bearings.....

Nigel Cape Town, South Africa 89/90 syncro


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