Date:         Wed, 1 Oct 2003 19:02:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
Subject:      water from exhaust mystery solved.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have finally finished cleaning up all the nagging stuff on this 1.9 and
got it back in and running. the 2.0 i4 will have to wait until the rains
come. I should have done this when I first got the van last August. The
exhaust, alternator mount, fuel lines, vacuum lines, and hokey wire routing
is finally cleaned up right. It was nice to be able to take my time and
enjoy the work.

The water leaking into the exhaust turned out to be a false alarm. I
"pressure tested" the system by plugging all the water outlets and then
elevating a cylinder of water to pressurize. No leaks or I don't know what I
am doing. I figured most likely the latter. When I was picking up the
exhaust to put it back on I heard a bit of sloshing. I emptied this water
out and as I bolted the exhaust back on in the rain (big mistake not doing
this while the engine was out.live and learn) I realized that the tail pipe
was corroded enough that water dripped off the van and into the top of the
pipe via rust holes. Apparently when I stopped driving the van to replace
the AC lines it allowed water to accumulate. For now I am going to hack off
the very end of the tailpipe and replace the exhaust after camping season
turns to rainy season here in Houston.

The exhaust brackets were the toughest part of the job. I am still stuck
with two homeless exhaust brackets. One that the Bentley does show going
front to rear connecting at the four into one. How this attaches escapes me.
The other doesn't show up in the Bentley and my before shots don't shed any
light on it. I may post some pictures in the hope someone can provide some
guidance.

All in all I am much more confident in my van and what I need to repair it.
I am organizing the long overdue August trip to Aldamas Mexico and will post
a trip report if/when we return. Thanks to everyone for the guidance along
the way, it would have been tough going without it.

Owen Brand
84 Westy Wolfsburg
Houston TX