Date:         Thu, 21 Feb 2002 14:49:00 -0500
Reply-To:     Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      Re: wbx reliabilty

Good day to you all.
I'm an amateur mechanic (maybe not so amateur anymore), I use to rebuilt "
engine heads" on motorcycle (air & water cooled) as a hobby (still do
sometime) and
did over 25 cars, mostly Mazda, Honda & Toyota (4 cyl. Only) for friends (I
have
many friends now, strange!!!). I only do engine work and mostly "heads
jobs!!!"
(Gasket, seal, valves and cam). So don't tell me that the heads gasket
problem on the
1.9 & 2.1 are VW's problems, it's a common 4 cyl problem from the 90', all
car that
had there head gasket change had about 60-100k miles (100-160k-km).  This
is not
the case of a typical type of driving/driver, all where different drivers /
type /condition/women/men/automatic/manual. This is somewhat a normal
problem.
The Vanagon Water-cooled is no exception. I would even say that it is
superior,
it is underpowered and it work harder than most small 4-cylinder car. So
for the size
of its engine/ weight, it is a reliable engine. The only special thing
about the van it' is cooling system, it' damn complicated for a 4 cyl
engine, with so many cooling line
and junction. Those need replacement and frequent check-up, and that is the
problem!!!
Another thing is the flat-4, it' not so easy to work on, it's low and many
parts are
difficult to reach or remove.
Most Westy owner are "non mechanic oriented" people, not to say that they
only put
gas and run the van. I have an 87 GL and running on original head (heads
gasket
change for precaution last year, old heads where in good condition) and
I did 2 x 12.000 miles trip across Canada / USA in the past 2 years and I
had
only minor electrical problem due to our salty road / corrosion here in
Canada.
Many corroded wire problem. I have to say that the PO (bought the van new)
took
good care of it, that the key "maintenance".

Note: how to check if the head gasket are due or need replacement soon, put
you nail
on to the outer black gasket, if it's hard like hell they will need
replacement soon.
They need to be somewhat soft.

Sorry for my poor English guys, trying my best.
Ben from Montreal, Canada

Another note: We are the city of import 4 cyl. car in north America, so I
know
what I am talking about.