Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 07:53:22 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: tired 1.9l question
In-Reply-To: <BAY105-DAV4336E2EED1E59FD0E6189A5EA0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Jeff,
Dennis Haynes is right on. Also, something you might want to
consider..... a permanently installed oil pressure guage. Guages that
actually give you numbers are wonderful diagnostic tools, and also help
you monitor conditons at all times, better than idiot lights. There is a
lot of info in the archives about these installations. And no, I don't
have one myself, yet, but it's on my to-do list and has risen very close
to the top at this point.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Jeff Palmer wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>
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