Date:         Tue, 6 Sep 2005 23:10:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: Standard Repair Times - Rings / Heads
In-Reply-To:  <000001c5b35f$bc9dcb50$6400a8c0@masterpc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

If your engine smokes upon startup (as in the morning) and then quits
once running, it's likely that the valve guides are worn. The
out-of-tolerance clearance in the guides allows oil to leak into the
cylinder head in some quantity to cause visible smoking, and after that
it's still smoking but not noticeably.

On the other hand, if you start up clean but smoke between shifts and
on acceleration, it's likely your rings.

If it's both, it's definitely time for a new engine or an overhaul.

Jim

On Sep 6, 2005, at 10:53 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> How is the van parked? Is the engine kept overfilled? Some oil puddling
> is normal, especially with 3 piece rings. Many 2.1L engines burn oil
> from day one. Mine did and at 226K it still does about 1 quart/1,000 to
> 1,200 miles. Oil burning and smoking can also be worn valve guides. The
> intakes were once fitted with slingers or fixed seals on the valve
> stems. Most crack and become missing after 40K or so. Most rebuilders
> do
> not know they belong there and do not replace them. These seals, keep
> oil from getting sucked down the intake valve stems when the valves are
> open. Since the ETKA does not show it and the gasket sets do not have
> it, the part number for the intake valve scraper ring is 113-109-619.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Edwards [mailto:medwards1@triad.rr.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:02 PM
> To: Vanagon Mailing List
> Cc: rrecardo@WEBTV.NET; dhaynes@optonline.net; inua@CHARTER.NET
> Subject: Standard Repair Times - Rings / Heads
>
> Thanks to all who responded.  Sorry I forgot to mention it is an 87
> 2.1L
>
> with 82k.  The reason I'm looking at new rings is because I get smoke
> at
>
> start up after it has been sitting for a while and have noticed some
> oil
>
> consumption without a leak.  My thought was, "well the heads are
> already
>
> off, shouldn't take too long to throw on a set of rings".  That's why I
> was
> so shocked when he mentioned having to split the case.  I'm new to my
> 2.1
> but have torn down enough Type 1 engines to know that sounds funny.
> Sounds
> like the consensus is:
> The engine doesn't have to be removed to do the head seals.
> The cases don't have to be split to do the rings.
> Given John's response and the relatively low mileage I'll probably
> forgo
> the
> bottom end rebuild and try to get out of this without too much more
> money.
> Seems if you go to far the economies of scale start to kick in and its
> cheaper just to exchange for a full rebuilt engine.
>