Date:         Sun, 2 Mar 2003 14:53:01 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: What's wrong with my VW? Friday
Comments: To: Clive Smith <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

>
>
>>I can't agree. Modern engines should be low-maintenance, and coolant
>>type uncritical.
>>
Not necessarily true in practice, though...many Honda owners have
reported that Hondas will chew up water pump bearings if you don't use
the special Honda coolant.  Very bad, since Honda water pumps are driven
off the timing belt!

Modern engines seem to be *more* coolant critical than older ones.  Most
of them won't tolerate the generic green Prestone stuff anymore.  The
formulations seem to be pretty specific for each manufacturer now.

>> VW is neither. Japanese engines will take abuse and
>>total lack of maintenance and still give really high milages (of
>>coures there ARE unreliable Japanese engines, but most are
>>bulletproof).
>>
>>
This is a myth from what I've seen.  Japanese engines are *very*
reliable but they won't tolerate neglect.  In particular, they have
short lives if oil changes are neglected.  If you want to neglect your
engine, buy a big dumb American V-8.  The loose tolerances and cast-iron
construction mean they'll take a lot of abuse.