Date:         Thu, 3 Mar 2005 13:46:00 -0800
Reply-To:     Trina Lindal <digidoll@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Trina Lindal <digidoll@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      preparing for engine rebuild or replacement
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.SOL.4.58.0503031509210.25652@tetris.gpcc.itd.umich.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Here's the story:

I'm at 140k miles on this engine, a 2.1L '91, automatic transmission (not a
Synchro). I do have a trusted VW mechanic, and we take care of all engine
related things as they are due - oil changes, coolant system,
cap/rotor/plugs/wire/air filter. So, I'm basically taking good care of it
(as well as a non-mechanically inclined girl can do). The heads were
replaced at around 110k, the water pump at 120k (those are rough estimates,
based on when they were done). I am not a "hard" driver, although my daily
merge onto the freeway requires me to floor it in order to piss off as few
people as possible! I'm not heavy on the revs otherwise.

So, my questions are:

1. How many more miles am I likely to get?
It is a daily driver, but very little stop-and-go, as my commute doesn't put
me in traffic. I also put about 2000 miles on it for road trips each year.
(I realize this can be very individual to each vanagon, so a range with
whether I might be in the high or low end of it would be helpful!)

Another aspect to this question: Am I safe to be planning my regular road
trips this summer? They are usually within 200 miles of home, but can be
further.

2. What signs will I have when the engine could be ready to go? And, how
long will I have once I notice those signs? (I should notice them quite
quickly, as I did with the heads and water pump.)

3. Rebuild or replace?
I've read that some people have replaced the engine with a Subaru engine...
what's that all about? Should I - well, the mechanic - rebuild the existing
engine or buy a rebuilt one from somewhere? What about hiring a gearhead
wrencher who's rebuilt Broncos and whatnot in the past? Prolly not a good
idea, but thought I'd ask.

4. How much money can I expect to spend (rebuilt/replace/buy)? I'm in the
Seattle area, and vanagons seem to be pretty plentiful, if that matters. I'd
mostly just like to be prepared for when the time comes and charge at little
as possible to the credit card.

5. Am I way off track here and my engine will run forever, so just quit
worrying? :)

Thanks again,
/Trina