Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 14:33:33 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: VW of Canada motors
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Brent Christensen wrote:
> I have had one installed for about 70,000 miles, with no problems so far
> other than a bit of oil consumption (typical of WBX motors AFAIK) - about a
> quart every 900 to 1,500 miles. IT was installed by the dealer where the
> van was originally purchased, and had to be redone once after the first
> engine was in for only a few hundred miles. Since then, though it has run
> like a champ.
>
> I expect my water pump will now blow, since I had to audacity to post
> this.... ;-)
Interesting, your experience with this Canadian WBX.
When I bought my 88 GL, it had 86,000 on it. Then the engine blew at around
90,000. Burned clear through the top of the piston on #3. Imagine my surprise
when the engine was pulled and there was a yellow tag on the case that read
"Remanufactured by VW of Canada"!! What was a Canadian Remanufactured
enginedoing in a van with only 90K on it. What happened to the original engine?
What did the PO do/not doto warrant an engine change at such a young vehicle
age?
After having owned the van a while I found evidence that pointed to severe use,
and minimum/miserable/no maintenance, but never actual proof.
Anyway, here I was with a van that was about to get its third engine, and it
still had less than 100K on it.
Well, anyway, I got a new engine from a local rebuilder. Name of Jim Connor,
and he was an old timer with the flat four engines. Price was good, and I could
keep the old one, so the deal was done. The only trouble I have had with any
part of the engine was a leaky rear seal. Cheap parts, but a pain in the butt
to fix because the tranny had to be pulled. Over all, I'm happy with the new
engine. It's got about 30K on it now and just minimal problems, and those were
not specific to the engine itself, but were accessory related.....oil pressure
switch, Temp II thermocouple., etc.
Only just recently have I begun to have the slightest intermittant jerking when
cruising. Haven't figured it out yet, but hopefully the list can help.
I plan to use my failed Canadian Rebuilt as a basis to build an engine
following the Lilley principles. It will become my spare. One day I will pop
the old one out and shovel in the lilley engine.
Good luck with yours.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
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