Date:         Sun, 17 Feb 2002 23:18:17 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: wbx reliabilty
In-Reply-To:  <001e01c1b777$a7eb6e20$1483bb18@mike>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>The waterboxer is a fine engine and reliable if properly maintained.
>A couple of tips: Always use the right antifreeze and distilled
>water. Change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, and use VW oil
>filters or at least mann/mahle brand. Don't let small problems and
>strange noises go unattended. And lastly don't drive it like an
>american muscle car.

A decent modern engine can be driven hard and given minimal
maintenance (including, for the lazy, much-longer-than-advised
oilchange intervals) yet be very reliable. Subarus & Toyotas, for
instance. VW's wasserboxer unfortunately doesn't fit this bill.

>And I don't know why any one would want to use a subaru engine that
>has two timing belts that have to be replaced every 60,000 miles
>along with the water pump. Not cheap, I know I had a subaru, 3
>timing belt changes in 206,000 miles.

EJ/EG-series Subaru engines have I believe ONE cambelt, replacement
interval about every 120000km (75000mi). The new EZ30 has a
camchain... Waterpumps only need replacing when faulty, not at any
specified interval. VW WBX pumps aren't so great either...
--
Regards
Andrew