Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 13:14:23 -0700
Reply-To: mike miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mike miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Subject: Re: exhaust leak and leaking heads??
In-Reply-To: <F128tZoFK8onzvMMl6D0000342b@hotmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Just finishing up changing the 2-4 exhaust header [the rear ones]. If he's
going to pull the whole thing he sounds about right for a pro,3 hours. The
studs breaking off are another problem and can, indeed, take a long time to
repair.
This can be avoided, or at least the risk lessened. I sprayed liquid wrench
on the bolts on mine and rusted as they were they all came out without a
problem. There are a bunch of bolts to spray but if you get several cans of
spray and hit every bolt and nut anywhere near the exhaust system it'll
help. The important ones, as he said, are the bolts/studs into the head.
There are four front and I assume 4 rear. To get them you have to spray
from the top and from the bottom. Use a flashlight to see as much as you
can. Don't just do it once but many times. I did mine for a week and a
half. I don't think you can do too much.
I'll post this to the list as well and the list gurus can check me on it.
There's an alternative to putting back on the original exhaust. I think the
list suppliers charge about 300-350 dollars for that. But there's a
stainless steel version which is ceramic coated for about $550. If you're
going to keep the van for a long time that's the way to go, I think.
YMMV
good luck,
Mike
> From: Jenny Loerzel <jensmiles2@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Reply-To: Jenny Loerzel <jensmiles2@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 14:12:15 -0500
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: exhaust leak and leaking heads??
>
> Hello All,
> In regards to my '87 Westy with 203,000 miles...
>
> It is with deep sorrow that I write this email. The item I need to discuss
> first is my Possible leaking heads. I am getting air in the main tank,
> which is pushing the coolant into the overflow tank. I had tried installing
> a new pressure cap about a week ago, hoping that would solve the problem.
> Well, it didn't :( I have been checking the tanks periodically throughout
> the week, since switching caps and didn't see any air in the main tank until
> yesterday. When I checked it yesterday, the main tank was half-full of air
> and the reserve tank was past the max. line. The coolant didn't get sucked
> back into the main tank after it cooled either. What if anything can I do
> if verify if the heads are leaking?
>
> Secondly, I took my van into the shop yesterday to see about getting an
> exhaust leak repaired. The mechanic informed me that parts of my exhaust
> for too badly rusted to repair by welding and that I needed a complete new
> exhaust system, everything from the cat. converter to the muffler. He
> stated that it would take at least 3 hours to complete, IF they didn't break
> the bolt that goes into the manifold,(??) IF they broke that bolt it could
> take up to 5-6 hours to complete the job. Does this jive with anyone else's
> experience with an exhaust repair job?? Does anyone know how much the parts
> would be to replace the exhaust system? He said that I could provide the
> parts and he would only charge me for his time.
>
> Please p-mail as I am on digest mode. Thanks for listening to my troubles
> and any/all advice would be appreciated.
> Jen Loerzel
> Karma Rose '87 Westy
> Chicago, IL
>
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