Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2003 12:48:32 -0700
Reply-To: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject: Re: Some basic TypeIV engine help, please
In-Reply-To: <001b01c36428$de42e020$9700a8c0@attbi.com>
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At 12:01 PM 08/16/2003, you wrote:
>During the trip from Eureka to the SF
>Bay area she had to stop and put in a quart of oil every 15-30 minutes. She
>also reports that a few miles from the house she experienced a significant
>decrease in power. When I started it up this morning it was hard to keep
>running, had virtually no power - I'd guess it's running on 3 cylinders -
>and blowing smoke badly, which the friend says is new.
What this says to me is tear down of the motor is the only way to find out
what is wrong. It sounds very much like a burned piston. Know that just a
minute or two of running low on oil will ruin your engine. I speculate that
there is a 95% chance that no significant mileage can be had from this
motor without a long block rebuild. Do a compression test to confirm. Just
inspection of the plugs will identify the bad cylinder/s. But know that the
problem is lack of lubrication, so you can expect that damage extends to
the bottom end. Frankly, I wouldn't waste the time to tear it down. I would
just install a rebuilt long block. If you can find and compression test a
used motor and it passes specs, that would be a compromise with some
potential for reasonable value.
>I don't want to deal with this right now, but I guess I have to since she's
>here and has no money.
Time/money is required to fix it. Buying the cheapest advertised
Californicated rebuild (GEX et al) will just waste more money, though it
might make it back to Bellingham. If she doesn't have the time/money to fix
it right, where will she find the time/money to do it over?? Just 2
iterations of a compromise fix will normally pay for a proper fix. If you
or someone else fixes her problems, it just will lead to a life of hell for
her as she gets the impression that all her dilemas are both created and
fixable by other than her.
Seen on the street recently a 74+ Westy with Sherrif's notice posted on it,
Californa plates. It sat there for 2 weeks. I finally stopped to have a
look. Pop top was raised on one side. Side door was wide open. Personals
were scattered throughout. Opened the rear hatch to check the motor. T-I
motor installed with NO COOLING TIN. Abandoned in toto on the street. No
doubt a bill for disposal will be sent to the registered owner. Big
compromise costs big always. Little compromise costs big generally. So sad
that those that cannot afford to waste a dime tend to waste the most.
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