Date:         Sat, 10 Sep 2005 13:08:08 -0400
Reply-To:     Dana Showers <dshowers@CPDS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dana Showers <dshowers@CPDS.NET>
Subject:      Advice on possible engine replacement
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I did get two pumps with the package I bought.  I kept the one on that
came with it because it would cost less during the conversion.
Besides, if I get the economy (first) and power (second) that I want,
I don't care about an extra 'n' horse power.  The lower emissions are
a bonus for me.  My van is a road Westy, not an off road syncro.  I
did opt for a limited slip differential with my tranny rebuild, as I
have gotten stuck on flat driveways when one wheel was off the ground!

To answer the question posed by the Bus Depot guy (Ron?) about why I
say to replace the engine the first time an engine repair costs more
than $100-$200 and you have to pay someone else to do it:  My
experience has been that the engine, whether through age or mileage,
is on its way to nickle and diming you to death.  Also, it would
probably be a good time to look at the radiator, the hoses and other
parts at that time.  Of course with my engine conversion, I got all
new hoses, lines and other "weatherable" parts.  By the time I got
around to the engine conversion I had spent a great deal of TIME and
money trying to make the van reliable for road trips and everyday
driving.  I wish now that I would have known this wisdom back in
1997.  Don't get me wrong, the guy who bought my 1.9 boxer told me
that it is running very well for him after it was in my van for 243k
miles.  Those are good engines, but the TD and other options are soooo
much better, especially for someone who does not do their own
maintenance.

Dana
85 Westy 1.9TD
2004 Beetle TDI




I'm curious as to why you opted for an Eco-Diesel injection pump.

I'm under the impression the Eco-Diesel injection pumps do not have a
provision for fuel enrichment under boost, so your "turbo-diesel" is
essentially an NA diesel with a fancy airpump tacked onto the intake
and exhaust manifolds.  Good for reducing emissions, but does nothing
to enhance powah...needs more fuel to do that.  Or, maybe that's what
you wanted.  I owned an NA diesel Vanagon a while back, so that
wouldn't be my first choice.

On 9/8/05, Dana Showers <dshowers@cpds.net> wrote:
I did consider it, but opted for the 29MPG turbo diesel
> with the VW factory eco-diesel fuel pump.  I have yet to see what my
> MPG is with my new taller 3rd and 4th gears!  Thanks to Daryl at AA
> Transmission for a great tranny rebuild and great customer service at
> a reasonable price.

Casey
Olympia, WA
Biodiesel:
'87 300TD intercooler (209k)
'84 300D (204k)
Gashuffer:
'89 Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition (185K)