Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:59:41 -0400
Reply-To: "P.Dooley" <pdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "P.Dooley" <pdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: head gaskets, my turn
In-Reply-To: <412162BE.3020401@pangea.stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
We got into big fuss about this last time.
WBX Vanagons don't have timing belts, the cam is gear driven off the
crank.
Might want to clue in the people working on your van.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Joel VanderKwaak
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 9:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: head gaskets, my turn
Update time :)
Got in my van this morning, backed out of the garage, and there was a
'clunk' from the engine, followed by a loud squeal. Guess the water pump
gave up the ghost, conveniently at home rather than at 75mph on 280.
As I'm quite pressed for time, I had the van towed to my local shop
(European Auto Works in Mtn View) to get the water pump replaced.
Definitely more expensive than if I did the work myself, but that's
life.
One question I was asked at the shop is 'has the timing belt ever been
replaced?" As I don't recall a relevant discussion on the list, could
one of the list sages let me know if this is really something to
consider? I'll dig through the archives as well.
Joel VanderKwaak wrote:
> Hey again,
>
> Cooler heads than mine suggested I investigate further to eliminate
> hoses and water pump as possible sources. I spent the last few hours
> under the engine, degreasing and cleaning off the Baja dirt and.... it
> looks like the source may be the water pump! Great news, and thanks so
> much for the 'slow down boy, think a little'.
>
> Thanks a ton,
>
> Joel
>
> Joel VanderKwaak wrote:
>
>> Howdy,
>>
>> Joy, joy, I found a puddle of coolant under my engine this morning :(
>> The van is a '91 with just over 80K miles. I'm scheduled to take a
4000
>> mile drive to Northern BC beginning Labour Day. I do not have enough
>> free time to tinker myself, so I'll need professional help (as will
the
>> van).
>>
>> So, a couple questions:
>> (1) what's a typical SF Bay area cost for an engine coolant leak
triage
>> and head gasket replacement
>> (2) if that cost is high, should I bite the bullet and just swap in a
>> rebuilt engine
>>
>> Up until this morning the van ran exceptionally well. I've been
putting
>> alot of miles on it since taking a job with a 100+ mile round-trip
>> commute two months ago.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Joel
>>
>>
>
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