Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 01:55:08 -0400
Reply-To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Positive story
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi list,
I would like to hear a few positive engine related story. Most of those
board / forum web site serve people in need of a solution or problem.
I would like to hear a few positive stories (true) about people having done
200k miles or more without major problem on a vanagon. Is that possible?
Most post we see are about problem, and that's ok but whose got a few
positive story about Vanagon with VW engine.
Is that possible? I am quite new to the VW camper (1 year) and some of you
have a lot of experience on the subject. What is your opinion?
I read a few, how should I say!!! Horror story in the past few weeks about
the long run reliability of the WB engine.
Problem with the transmission:
http://volksweb.relitech.com/091trans.htm
Problem with the connecting rod on the 2.1
http://volksweb.relitech.com/21rodbrg.htm
The infamous head gasket problem and so on. (Done on mine)
The Westy is a great vehicle, no doubt about that. But now I wonder if I
should open the engine core to replace the rod!!!!!! Or buy an expensive
newer Eurovan for the kind of trip I want to do.
This is a lot of time and money involve, I bought the van for
traveling!!!!!, even if like mechanic
(http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm ), this van was bought for long
future trip and not to learn mechanic. The idea of being strangle in
central America with a broken trany is not something I want to have in mind
every driving day……
I think that my westy as about 100k miles on it (true millage, but she is
reading 80k!!!, long story…), the compression is about 140 on each cylinder
(very good for now) and I take about half to a quart of oil per 3000 miles
(good also for now). The engine now run like a clock without any strange
noise at all, most FI components (AFM, Idle stab, fuel regulator and so on)
are original. I paid $1100 CAD (about 8000 USD) and put $3000 CAD in parts
already in 20k miles in one year. Still a good price I think for a very
clean 87GL westy with mint interior / exterior.
I know, they are 20 years old van, that I can deal with but…you know what I
mean!
A few good stories would help my peace of mind.
Best regards, Ben
