Vanagon EuroVan
Previous (more recent) messageNext (less recent) messagePrevious (more recent) in topicNext (less recent) in topicPrevious (more recent) by same authorNext (less recent) by same authorPrevious page (April 2002, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:   Thu, 25 Apr 2002 15:52:16 -0500
Reply-To:   Birkenfeld Jeff <BirkenfeldJeff@JOHNDEERE.COM>
Sender:   Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:   Birkenfeld Jeff <BirkenfeldJeff@JOHNDEERE.COM>
Subject:   Aftermarket Non-application specific engines i.e.TIICO issues
Content-Type:   text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Much discussion in last few months about the TIICO unit. Allow me to throw in some personal experience. Let me qualify by stating I do not own a TIICO nor have I seen one. I am an engineer for a company that remanufactures OE engines for John Deere, most 4 and 6 cyl diesel engines prior to Tier 1 emissions (non-e.p.a. engines). We build these engines for 2 customers: John Deere dealers and OEM aftermarket engine distributors. The engines we build for Deere are designed and configured to fit a specific application without modification. The engine we build for the aftermarket are generic type engines that are configured on an open platform which allows the broadest fit to the hundreds of non-Deere applications that use Deere engines, like power units, compressors, generators, etc. These engines will likely need some modification to fit the equipment it's installed into like a change of water pump or thermostat housing or throttle lever change, etc. We offer the aftermarket engine in effort to increase sales of our units outside the Deere network which is fixed. This gives us more opportunity for company growth. We know that some aftermarket distributors will sell our engines to end users who may or may not be qualified to install the unit. We know that some distributors may sell our engines overseas. With this in mind, it doesn't surprise me in the least that the SA kit is being offered in the U.S. I surely believe if TIICO gets these kits as a VW SA repower unit that VW knows that some of these make it to the U.S. Some may ask why VW doesn't offer this kit to the U.S.? Like Deere, we cannot offer repower units for applications outside of our EPA regulations, in other words, one cannot buy an engine from us that was designed to fit one application and install it into another if the applications were built during different EPA regulation windows. This comes into play overseas as well, the regulations differ around the world so we just simplify things by offering a generic fit aftermarket engine that complies to no specific regulations. It starts and runs and you can put it into anything with some modification. Most likely our unit will comply with EPA regs for given unit in given particular country, especially if it's tweaked but the bottom line is we build it generic, what you do with it is out of our control until you call us with a warranty concern.

My point is this, if one buys a generic engine, one should not expect an exact fit. One should also not expect the EPA regulations to be qualified unless previously approved or exempted. The Vanagon has 5 different engines (1.6D, 1.9D, 2.0 Air cooled, 1.9 and 2.1 water-cooled, pardon if I neglected anyone), with many variations depending on year and accessory layout. The SA kit is a generic one-fits-all-engine which only stands to reason if it wasn't built for your application, some modification likely will be required. From what I can tell, the kit does come with some parts for your application depending on accessories but seems to be missing some as well. I've read the problems with EPA passage of the CA conversions and the lack of problems with NC conversions and this is the same problem most repower engine suppliers are faced with.

Personally, I entertain the idea of the TIICO unit but wouldn't fool myself to thinking I would be without problems in the future with EPA regulations and some replacement parts. I also fancy the mechanical TDI that Karl Mullendore offers. The diesel presents less problems with EPA regulations.

When TIICO or VW or FLAPS offers a repower engine to specifically fit my '89 Vanagon with A/C, power steering, 90 amp alternator, cruise control and is EPA qualified, I may the first in line, of course it will have a different part number than the engine offered for the '82 Vanagon.

JB


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.