Date:         Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:10:35 -0800
Reply-To:     Skip Emmert-Keaton <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Skip Emmert-Keaton <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
Subject:      No compression
In-Reply-To:  <200312152007.hBFK7Jo17187@bmoc.whinc.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Okay, Gang.

The verdict is in.  I took the '80 Westy to Meyer's in Vegas when it sounded
like it was running on three cylinders.  (This is the van I bought about two
months ago with 80K miles).  There is no compression in the #2 cylinder.
They want $650-700 to put a new head on it.  They didn't seem to think it
was worth fixing.  The van is in great shape (and I just bought it), so I'm
trying to find out my options.  Here are my questions, feel free to
volunteer any other info if you think it would help.  BTW, I'm mildly
mechanically-inclined, but certainly no mechanic.

1.  What are the probable causes for 0 compression in #2?
2.  Which of these are likely to be repairable with a Bentley and average
tools by an average schmuck (me)?
3.  When does one rebuild vs. replace?
4.  What should I plan on this costing out of pocket?
5.  What else should I do while I'm there (assuming there's anything I can
do)?
6.  What kind of specialty tools might be necessary?
7.  Could this be related to the van's hot start problem (it has a new
starter and a starter relay)?

Unrelated, the fuel pump relay is bad.  Does anyone have one FS?


Thanks for any help,

Skip Emmert-Keaton
1980 Westy <unnamed>