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Date:         Fri, 27 Jan 2006 13:27:02 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Head Retorquing On New Engine
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

On every other vehicle on which I've replaced a head gasket, I went back at about 1000 miles and about 5000 miles to re-torque the head bolts and check the valve settings. I was taught that this was conventional wisdom, essentially. I didn't do it on my Vgon because I got the idea shortly after getting on the list that doing so would possibly/probably disturb the yellow goop and cause coolant to leak out under the valve covers. I think about this pretty much every time I look at the engine 'cause it bugs me. Now it seems that the idea is that the yellow goop is goopish precisely so that you can re-set the head nuts without breaching the seal. Is this the case? If it is, then I would be inclined to go back into the engine and scratch my itch. I would also then think that this should be done on any WBX that had the heads disturbed, rebuilds particularly. I wouldn't necessarily in that case think of it as a fault with AVP per se, but just something that should be done as SOP- but that's me. What about you mechanics/builders/rebuilders? Is this something you would think should be done as maintenance or is it a 'if ain't broke' thing? Benny? Bob?

Cya, Robert

----- Original Message ----- From: "Blake Heinlein" <blakeheinlein@GMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 11:21 AM Subject: Re: Head Retorquing On New Engine

Larry,

I wish that we had talked to eachother back then. So another lesson learn on the Vanagon List. Check your head bolts when you buy a new AVP engine. Make sure they are tight!!! Maybe just stear clear, but I let you make your own call.

-- Blake Heinlein 1984 Westfalia Sacramento, CA blakeheinlein@gmail.com http://www.home.surewest.net/heinlein

On 1/27/06, Larry Chase <roadguy@roadhaus.com> wrote: > > Blake, > > I'll be damn. > > That is almost exactly what happened to me. > > At around 12,000 miles my AVP Rebuilt began showing the same sytoms as > yours. > > Took two VW shops to figure out what the problem was ... but not after I > replaced > every major componet in the collant system including radiator. > > Problem ... combustion gasses in the collant. > > Found that I had 9 loose engine bolts ... but unfortuntley by the time we > properly diagnosed the > cause one of heads was slightly warped and I needed new head gaskets. > > BTW ... AVP was terrible to deal with. Even though the engine was still > under warranty they > claimed no responsibility and were totally rude. Aftwer much back and > forth and intervention by > Ron Salomn of Bus Depot (were I bougth the engine) they agree to provide a > set of head gaskets > and a "reworked set of VW heads". I took th eparts but decided to purchase > a set of new AMC heads > and have them installed instead. That was maybe 5-7,000 miles ago and all > seems fine so far. > > With your AVP engine I'm now aware of 4 other AVP engines that had the > same problem at > 10,000 - 25,000 miles. > > good road, > good adventure, > good life > > larry chase > roadhaus.com >


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