Date:         Sun, 28 Jan 2001 17:09:36 -0800
Reply-To:     Michael Snow <mwsnow@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Snow <mwsnow@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1.6L NA d- finding TDC & injection pump q
In-Reply-To:  <3A74655E.C82EF944@pugetsound.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

The one belt system is not good for the Vanagon diesel installation.  There
is not enough belt contact on the water pump pulley to prevent belt
slippage.

IMHO, this is really a non-issue.  If a water pump shaft seal lasts long
enough for cavitation to cause erosion on the pump impeller, you have gotten
you money's worth from that particular pump.  If the cost of a brand new
German water pump is a serious financial issue, then the owner is probably
better off finding more economical transportation.  Daily operation of a 20
year old vehicle that has nearly been forgotten by the manufacturer is bound
to be punctuated with occasional emergency repairs.  Note: I will debate
cost of ownership with anyone that thinks Vanagons are really expensive.
The combined cost of operating my three diesel VWs is less than my wife's
1997 Honda Odyssey.

The diesel Vanagon cooling system has a lot of work to do, so it has the
largest impeller AND is "overdriven" in comparison to the diesel cars.
Remember that there is precious little air flow through the Vanagon engine
compartment.  The stock diesel installation includes insulated tinwork
(splash guards) that virtually enclose the entire engine space.  Also, a
working thermostat (82C, not 87C like the cars), the correct pressure level
in the cooling system and proper ratio of coolant to water greatly reduce
the possibility of impeller cavitation.

Mike Snow





-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Dana Morphew
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 10:31 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 1.6L NA d- finding TDC & injection pump q


To address Steve's cause of the diesel Vanagon pump's heat/cavitation
caused erosion, wouldn't switching to a "one belt" system from the
diesel "two belt" setup be the answer.  The pump would then turn
slower.

If you were to do this, you would need a 30mm pump and pump pulley
(biggest diameter that will not rub on the crank pulley), and a non-air
alternator pulley off an A1 or A2 alternator.  This ought to align OK.
We'll want other opinions on the adviseability of doing this though.

Could be that, if the cooling system is doing its job, including a clean
and properly functioning radiator and a quality German waterpump, the
heat/cavitation issue with the waterpump is moot though.

-Dana-

Steven Denis wrote:

> new timing belt, new idler...if you are going to use the van pump housing,
> pull the pump and check for erosion..they vans turn so fast and run so hot
> that they cavitate in the back of the housing and will eat right
> through..really...
>
> steve
>
> "Hey! nice Jeep, Mister! "
> "Look kid, it's NOTAJEEP! "