Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 22:56:18 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: help diagnosing possible coolant system/ engine damage
In-Reply-To: <BAY9-DAV22FRaqbC8wS00099ed3@hotmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
OK, let's assume that they did run it ~30 minutes/month for 2 years.
That's 12 hours of operation total. Now, this is without any load,
probably only idling. If it was actually driven, averaging 50 mph, that
would equate to 600 miles of driving. If it lost enough coolant or oil
during that use to cause a problem, there was a problem before it went
to storage. Even if the oil went down a quart, that would not cause any
grief.
At this point, I would change the fluids anyway, including gear oil/ATF,
power Steering, brake fluid, coolant etc. Also get some fresh fuel in
there. If stored outside, consider fuel tank in near future. Then to be
sure, go for a compression/leakdown test and maybe test the oil
pressure. If no weird noises, go drive and enjoy.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kurt Stoppkotte
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 5:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: help diagnosing possible coolant system/ engine damage
i'm hoping that you can help me diagnose possible coolant system and
engine damage from a negligent storage facility. here's the quick and
dirty: i stored my '85 camper 2 yrs ago with a contract that stipulated
that the vehicle would be run for 30 minutes and all fluids checked
every month. well, when i went to pick up the vehicle there was no
dipstick...kind of tough to check the level without that. the vehicle
was then delivered to me a few days later after they had received a new
dipstick...there was oil, but i have to assume the worst: that they
hadn't checked the oil for sometime and was probably low. additionally,
there was absolutely no coolant in the system. so, i was told to have
it checked out to assess any possible damage. so here's my question:
how can you realistically assess any damage caused by their negligence?
the engine was in immaculate condition when it was stored (about 20,000
miles on a rebuild) and i guess i have to hope that they never ran it
for the 30 min/ month. but assuming that they did, damage had to be
caused...maybe to the heads, rings, bearings...heck, i don't know, i'm
not a mechanic.
so does anyone have any reccomendations on how to fully diagnose any
damage? leakdown test? compression test? with this adequately
diagnose any damage or just severe damage? i've had it towed to a shop
to fill/bleed the coolant system and to give me their opinion, but i
would like to have some advice from the list on what tests i should
request that they perform.
thanks in advance
kurt
ps: i'm in the dc area and can't wait to spend a night camping in my
baby.
| 
