Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:49:06 +0000
Reply-To: dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: 86 2.1 L clunking noise under load
In-Reply-To: <BAY111-F18FF9CB6289FB1427E482BB4440@phx.gbl>
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Engine main bearings do not knock when they are worn or failing. The noise is more of a groan that is load and speed Dependant. Failed main bearings will always be accompanied by oil pressure problems. Bad mains can go for a long time. Defective rod bearings can do knock or make rubbing or other weird sounds. These sounds can be effected by load and speed. In the early stages, the warning sounds are apparent under light load or deceleration. Rod bearing failures are catastrophic.
You need to determine of the sound is really from the engine. Exhaust brackets, pipes hitting, loose torque converter bolts can all cause noises. So can bad CV joints.
Having to add ATF during a trip can be a sign of a loose torque converter. Is there leakage? Avoid the temptation ot overfill the engine or AT. Overfilling the crankcase is an easy way to cause all sorts of engine problems. The top mark is not the full mark. The top mark is maximum do not exceed no matter what mark! Overfilling causes increased oil temps and lower oil pressure along with excessive oil into the catalyst.
As for the cooling system, normal gauge readings are not prof of proper operation. If the system can not maintain pressure it is not cooling properly. What is leaking?
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark hersh
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006 1:07 am
Subject: 86 2.1 L clunking noise under load
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Hi Everyone,
>
> We're new to the list and recently acquired an 86 Weekender
> Westy (2.1 L
> stock engine, auto trans) that we took last week from our home
> in Seattle to
> the Missoula MT area. Heading up a steep grade in a National
> Forest the
> engine made a deep clunk noise that I thought might have been a
> main bearing
> going south. We stopped, let it cool, checked oil and coolant,
> and got out
> of there. We took it easy, 50-55 mph but it made the same noise
> going up
> Lookout Pass (MT to ID on I-90) and I eased up on the gas and we
> crested at
> 15-20 mph on the shoulder. Ran fine downhill, through Spokane,
> stopped for
> the night having travelled about 150 miles after the first clunks.
>
> The next day we kept it at 50-55 most of the way and crested
> Snoqualmie Pass
> around 40 mph with no apparent problems and made it home ~250
> miles. I did
> add ATF (about a cup) and one quart engine oil after Lookout
> Pass but before
> Snoqualmie.
>
> I have been having some coolant problems and have been needing
> to top off
> the filler tank occasionally. In one rest stop, it did overflow
> a bit, but
> the gauge never ran higher than 5/8 (OK, maybe 11/16, but not
> 3/4) and after
> the clunk I ran the heaters if it got past 1/2. It always ran
> less than 1/2
> on extended downhills and 1/2.
>
> A friend (with no VW experience) says it's unlikely I could have
> made it
> back 400 miles with a main bearing going south and suggested a
> loose motor
> mount might make such a noise. The van has 240K miles on the
> odometer and
> has had some engine work done in the past (probably goes without
> saying),but I sensed both engine and trans were near the end of
> the wear cycles when
> we bought him. With this trip, we have put about 2500 miles on
> him, but
> this was the longest and most strenuous trip we've been on.
>
> Any ideas? Thanks.
>
> Mark & Jennifer
> 86 Weekender Wolfsburg Edition, "Monty"
>
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