Date:         Tue, 4 May 2004 21:20:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Boston Bob Engine / Leakers?
In-Reply-To:  <1ce.1fa42ab7.2dc1e453@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Sometimes, a Vanagon engine will leak no matter what you do. Do not
always blame the engine builder for this freak condition. It is not
always from the flywheel seal either. Could be from the case seam or the
case may be porous. I really don't know why some will always leak but
they do. The FUN BUS engine has leaked from the flywheel area since it
was brand new. The dealer tried to fix it under warranty; I tried each
time the trans was pulled. At 215k now, who cares if it leaks a little?
My plan now is to run it until it gives some indication of a problem.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of George Goff
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 12:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Boston Bob Engine / Leakers?

In a message dated 4/28/04 3:14:55 PM, tolga@MAC.COM writes:

<< Well after 15K on mine my biggest complaint is still that it leaks a
good
deal of oil from the main seal behind the pulley, it has from the get
go.
 I talked to Bob about it numerous times and while he has fiddled around
with it a bit he really didn't step up to the plate to resolve the
problem.  He told me that these engines aren't made to modern tolerances
so an oil leak is unavoidable. >>

I hate to read this because I was considering one of his rebuilds and
you are
the second person I know of with an oil leak in one of his engines.  The
other one is in my friend's van and its the rear main seal which has
leaked from
the start.  I guess Boston would supply a new seal, but there was no
mention of
labor.  Also, if the crank is bitched a new seal puts you right back to
square one after much expense.  Maybe this is a good reason not to buy
an airmail
rebuild.

Except for English engines, oil leaks became a thing of the past about
40
years ago, so the age of the design specs has notjing to do with the
problem.
Could it be that the cranks are reground and he expects the stock sized
seals to
accommodate the reduced OD?  Or, are there no seals made to accommodate
the
reduced OD?  I wanna know.

George