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