Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 13:21:22 -0800
Reply-To: jimcraig <jimcraig@QWEST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimcraig <jimcraig@QWEST.NET>
Subject: Engine siezed . . . Next steps?
In-Reply-To: <01e001c628e5$ef4583d0$6400a8c0@johnzuq1rrbs7n>
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My trusty and perfectly running 90 Westy shocked me beyond all belief last
night as I was heading up to Snoqualmie pass for a little night skiing. The
power seemed a little low as I could barely keep it above 45mph up the last
steep pitch when suddenly the engine just shut down. A quick push of the
clutch and a coast to the side of the road, then that sick feeling in the
root of my stomach. It's over. Tried to crank, no way.
I had the heads replaced two years ago, but no rings. I did notice a little
bit of smoke from the tailpipe last week, but it didn't seem to cloud up
when I revved it, so I didn't think about it too much more. The van has
always run perfectly. Good power, always starts etc. About a month ago, a
woman ran a yield sign and I t-boned her, putting a few nice dents in the
front end and trashing the spendy fiberglass bumper cover. I haven't fixed
it yet, but can expect to get several thousand from the insurance.
Anyhow, I am now pondering what to do with this rig next. Do I find a used
one to throw in and move on? Do I rebuild this one (169k miles) since I
already have good heads? Buy a reman? Conversion? Sell the whole lot to a
handy person who could put humpty dumpty back together again with lots of
labor and find a new rig?
My family and kids love this van. I am committed to the Westy experience,
but am torn on what to do next. I have enough mechanical experience to fix
it myself, but not enough time to devote to the project, so I will end up
paying shop rates on labor.
Option 1. Find a decent used motor and have my mechanic install. Cost?
$2k?
Option 2. Have them tear apart the old and rebuild if the crank looks OK.
Cost: $??
Option 3. Reman longblock, $5k?
Option 4. Conversion. Suby, Tiico, TDI $7k?
My mechanic has done a few tiico's and won't do any more. Not worth it for
him and too many iffy parts that break later he said. Does any one know
someone who can handle a conversion in Seattle? I'd be interested in
learning more about the pros and cons from experienced installers. At this
point in my life, I value reliability. I don't need any more projects. I
don't mind brakes and maintenance, but can't devote full weekends to chasing
gremlins.
Does anyone in the Seattle area have a good used 2.1 that would get me back
on the road? I'm not in a big hurry since this is a third rig, but was
hoping to do some ski camping with the kids this spring.
Sorry for the long winded message, I appreciate any help and information you
can provide.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Jim