Date:         Sun, 21 May 2006 15:51:26 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Seized Engine?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

I wonder if people have gotten away from the practice- if it ever really was
a common practice, of checking their oil at every fill up, or every week or
so whichever came first. By that I mean really checking it out, like
smelling it, rubbing it between your fingers, observing the color- not just
seeing where it hits on the dipstick. I usually base oil changes on miles
like most people I guess, and I tend to run synthetics longer than the
'regular', but if I don't like the smell, or it's going dark quickly, or I
can feel grit in it or it seems less viscous then it should I'll change it
because of those things and go looking for a possible problem. That's what
I've always thought of as 'checking' the oil.

As for occasionally starting a vehicle in storage, I've always thought it
better to start it less often perhaps but let it run to full hot operating
temperature, than to just start it and let it run for five minutes once
every week or so to 'top off' the battery or whatever the point of that is
supposed to be. If it's been sitting for more than a few weeks I usually
crank it without fuel a few times to try to flow the oil around some before
actually running it.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "ROBERT DONALDS" <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Seized Engine?


> Spoke with MM today
> the engine is seized and will have to come out
>
> some background
> the engine is 2 years old and had been parked for the winter with some
> small
> local trips this spring
> My impression is that the oil is mostly gas and he locked up a main
> bearing
> I have offered to help him and can do so with minimal expense
> This may be due to a leaking injector or a rich running condition
> If there is a good reason to do at least 2 oil changes a year this is it
> no
> matter the miles
> the best times is before its stored and after its pulled from storage
> I also believe starting the van over the winter once a week or some such
> thing is a big mistake it just washes the oil off the cylinders
> one last thought those who run synthetic are less likely to do oil changes
> and while I think synthetic is a great lube I don't like that never needs
> changing attitude that goes with it
>
> Lots of lessons in this thread
>
> B Bob
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "MM" <marknyc28@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 10:58 AM
> Subject: Seized Engine?
>
>
>> Hi all, I need the lists'expertise on this:
>>
>> 1985 Westy 4 speed.
>> rebuilt Boston Bob Engine 8,000 miles on it.
>>
>> The engine quit on my one day pulling out of a parking
>> spot in my neighborhood.  After it quit i tried to
>> restart, but the starter wouldn't turn over the
>> engine.
>> I thought since it had been sitting the battery was
>> discharged, so i rolled it back into its parking
>> spot,where it sat for another month.
>> After charging the battery, and still no turn-over, i
>> suspected the starter.
>> I had other suspicions so i pulled the plugs, and
>> tried to turn the pulley by hand to no avail. I did
>> manage to turn the water pump pulley and the
>> alternator pulley by hand by slacking the belt.
>> I cleaned all my contacts to the starter and the
>> ground strap still no turn over.
>> Finally this morning, i bought a tow rope borrowed a
>> friend and his truck to tow the westy out of its spot
>> and down the road.  I then tried to pop the clutch to
>> get it started, but the wheels would just drag down
>> the street!
>> Is this engine toast???!!!  I have faithfully changed
>> the oil every 2000 miles..
>> What could have mechanically failed that is holding
>> the engine from turning??  I know the engine hasn't
>> turned more than a quarter turn by the red timing
>> marks still on the pulley.  HELP....
>> I just cant believe that these engines are SO
>> fragile.Especially since i installed this one myself..
>> Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>>
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