Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 00:45:23 -0500
Reply-To: Jeff Palmer <icecoldvw@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Palmer <icecoldvw@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: tired 1.9l question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello,
I've got an 85 Westfalia with 275k km (165k miles) on the original 1.9l
engine. I've taken really good care of the van to this point and it hasn't
let me down. I replaced the right side head (VW dealer replaced it) shortly
after I purchased the van in 1993, and two years ago I replaced the left
side with a new AMC.
I took it to my favourite mechanic (who actually seems to enjoy working on
it) to get a once-over on the van before summer driving season starts. I've
been saving up for a new motor, thinking it would come at some point. So I
took it in, and mentioned that it seems to have low power. Tony (the
mechanic) did a compression and leakdown test and found:
Cylinder 4: Compression 115, leakdown 40%
3: 155, 30%
2: 145, 50%
1: 135, 30%.
He didn't feel that this would cause low power or was a major concern (yet).
He thought it may be lifter issues or fuel injector trouble. After going
through the archives I found at least one really knowledgeable guy who made
reference to the same thing, so I hope Tony is on the right track.
Before you start thinking Tony is nuts, I could be relaying the info
incorrectly. I am obviously not a mechanic, but I'm learning lots being on
the list.
A side note: the lifters have always been noisy despite the proper filter
and 20-50 Quaker State. Two years ago I had an oil change while on a
holiday at a VW dealer in West Vancouver ($$$!) and 1500 miles later I had
really noisy lifters and no power. Turned out I also had no oil too. I had
checked it, but I thought I was misreading it because it seemed low. Guess
I wasn't misreading it. The VW dealer topped up the oil and told me to
watch for a catastrophic oil leak. There wasn't one and still isn't. Maybe
something wasn't tightened properly. Anyway.
Does Tony sound like he's on the right track? Do fuel injectors fail often
and can they be repaired or just replaced? Should I be spending money on
this tired engine or is it time to cut my losses and get a new one. Any and
all advice appreciated.
Thanks again
Jeff
85 Westfalia GL auto