Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 16:59:58 -0400
Reply-To: jon.sykes@PS.GE.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jon Sykes <jon.sykes@PS.GE.COM>
Subject: 82 Diesel Vanagon Engine Replacement Choices? Costs? Comments?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I've had my 82 diesel vanagon camper for a couple of months and a couple of
thousand miles now. Everything seems to be working okay and chugging along,
but I know that to be completely worry free there are a number of things
that need to be fixed on the vehicle. I was beginning to weigh these costs
against the cost of replacing the engine altogether. The vehicle has over
200k on the original engine and I know it's not going to last forever. I do
want to keep this vehicle forever, however. I don't really mind the poor
performance of my van, but obviously would prefer more power without
sacrificing economy.
Stuff my van needs (as far as I can tell):
- fix oil leaking between engine and tranny
- fix other oil leak from engine - drips onto engine guard and then onto
floor (or onto tailgate)
- CV joints
- various seals
- timing job - belt, pulleys, other belts, etc
....pretty much the engine is going to need to be pulled and gone through to
fix the leaks, etc and I guess I'd be looking at between $500 and $1000 to
have it done (I don't wish to do the work myself). Even with that I'm still
going to have a 200k mile engine and just don't know how long it will be
before something else goes wrong.
My Vanagon is my daily driver and I love having the ability to pull over,
make a cup of tea and catch 40 winks whenever I wish. I don't mind sinking
a couple of thousand for a replacement engine. However, I'm not sure what
would work and what would be best for me. I would be interested in comments
from anyone else who has replaced the engine in their vanagon.
Here's what I've gathered so far in terms of engine choices:
- 1.9 NA Turbo - sounds good, fits well, lot more torque, bit more power,
same longevity, same economy, probobly needs an air-cooled gearbox
- TDi - this would completly transform my vanagon into a super-vanagon. I
know these engines are bulletproof and very economical. I also know they
are a nightmare in terms of chips, wires, and generally setting up in the
vanagon (right?). Expensive.
- Subaru - seems to be a better choice for the wasserboxer than for the
diesel. It would be nice to keep the vanagon completely VW and the Subaru
engines are pretty thirsty, fuel-wise
- GTi, other 4-cyl petrol engine - probobly a good value for money package,
but wouldn't the vanagon still be underpowered (these are still small
engines)? Probobly fuel economy is not that great.
In a perfect world I would like: more power for hills and overtaking,
ability to cruise at 65 - 70 mph, same or similar fuel economy (25 - 30
mpg), reasonable ease of finding parts (and complete engine!), reasonable
ease of having my VW mechanic install it.
Comments? Advise? Relative costs per option? Where do I begin?
Any help much appreciated.
Jon
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