Date:         Fri, 3 Nov 2006 15:08:15 -0500
Reply-To:     "Burdett, Jean-Pierre" <jp.burdett@SPOTWAVE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Burdett, Jean-Pierre" <jp.burdett@SPOTWAVE.COM>
Subject:      Air Cooled Engine / Stick Transmission rebuild question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I've search in the vanagon archives and the type2 but wondering when is
a good time to rebuild the top end & transmission.
 
Do you guys wait until your engine blows up on the highway or is there
adequate warning signs?
 
 I'd like to know what are the signs and what is the best way check /
validate the health of the engine & tranny.
 
I have have an air cooled 82 with 160,000 original kilometres on it. It
seems to be running fine, an extra oil cooler was added and oil / temp
guages were added it runs consistently at 200 degrees, oil pressure is
always consistent, and I even spoke to the mechanic who had been working
on it for a year - told me it was in great mechanical condition. It does
not burn oil. 
 
However the problem is there are NO service records before 140,000 kms
so I really want to be proactive with the maintenance. 
 
I am a little afraid of that 3 / 4 gear cracking too any thoughts?
 
 
 
 
JP Burdett | Product Marketing Manager
Spotwave Wireless Inc. 

Tel: 613.591.1662 Ext.297 | Fax: 613.591.8107  | Mobile: 613.294.8942
1 Hines Road. Suite 204 Ottawa ON. CANADA | K2K 3C7
jp.burdett@spotwave.com <mailto:jp.burdett@spotwave.com>   |
www.spotwave.com <http://www.spotwave.com/>