Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 21:40:15 -0800
Reply-To: Claudio Cella <claudiocella@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Claudio Cella <claudiocella@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Broken head stud
James, sorry to hear about your breakdown. I had a similar "freaky"
breakage on my 87 Vanagon GL several years ago. Similar circumstances,
sudden loss of power and then stall. Engine oil contaminated coolant and
coolant contaminated engine oil. Had the van towed home. One of the left
bank rear cylinder studs sheared off flush with top of cylinder head.
Pulled head and eventually was able to pull broken stud out. That stud was
a bear to pull. Finally had to pull piston and barrell off to get better
access to problem stud. At the end used some gentle heat and stud extractor
to extract. That was the first time i had pulled the head off the van. On
the upside i guess i learned a lot about Vanagon engines during this
particular experience. I did this work myself as i have a garage and a
respectable assortment of tools. What was of great help was the fact we
could get by without a second vehicle for a short while. This enable me to
work at it without a deadline. I never secured a quote to repair problem
but i would think that the $ 900 CDN figure would be close.
Claudio Cella
87 Vanagon GL
90 Jetta TD
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Karukas" <jk.pnosrv@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 8:10 PM
Subject: Re: Broken head stud
> Sooner or not likely later we all have a tale of woe to share. I'm
> blissfully cruising up Pacific Coast Highway, soaking up rays and salty
> air when I suddenly lose power and stall. Check the rear view and zero
> visibility, steam everywhere. The mechanic who rebuilt this well
> maintained '85 1.9 diagnosed "freaky" breakage of one left head stud.
> $800-$1000 (ridiculously high?) estimate to repair after 18k miles.
> Should I have insisted on new heads and studs in the first place? I
> suspect this qualifies as a rhetorical question.
>
> Moral of the story: Frugality has its price. But you knew that.
>
> At least it didn't "loose" power (can we all agree that spell check is
> often worthless?). More importantly, any thoughts on this repair?
> Thanks!
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