Date:         Tue, 26 Aug 2003 12:59:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Johnson <makhno19@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Johnson <makhno19@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Big Decision...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

    DaVan: 1989 Vanagon Carat Automatic 173k miles with slight head leak on
drivers side and "worn" water pump (no longer leaking after stop leak)
compression : #1 = 60   #2 = 150 #3 = 160 #4 = 150 Other than that the DaVan
runs fine (but a little weak going up hills), never overheats, I don't seem
to need to add very much  oil or coolant and starts up just fine every
morning...

    My Mechanic has  given me 2 options.... First is to spring for a rebuilt
WBX (from a local shop) for $4500 installed.... Second option is to put new
Heads on and replace the water pump $2000  he is clearly favoring the 1st
option.

        We need DaVan to last about 2 more years during which time she will be
making a daily commute from West Seattle to Redmond of approx. 40 miles a
day, as well as the usual running around town on weekends and one big trip
next summer out to Wyoming and back...

        Considering all of this... Am I really at the point of replacing the engine
now or am I ok just doing the heads and new water pump...  or is there a
possible 3rd way?      Money is tight but not impossible...


   Thanks in advance for yer input ... (and patience with a total
Vanagon_Noob)


Mark Johnson

'89 Vanagon Carat   "DaVan"