Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:00:52 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: VW supplied reman. 2.1
In-Reply-To: <001901c73cc1$0d893900$5eee9643@computer>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Every now and then they are available. 2 last month. I'm getting one for a
customer. List price is just under $2,500. Resellers can get discount. Core
is like $1,500 so you must have matching, complete 2.1 to return. Any
failure is acceptable as long is an internal failure. Yes, rod through the
case is acceptable. Warranty is 12 months unlimited mileage. Typical parts
are new case, reworked crank, rods, new pitons cylinders and rebuilt even
welded heads. The heads usually have oversized valve guides. Don't know if
valves are new or reground. Flywheel, pulley, push rod tin, oil cooler and
filter usually present.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Gerald Masar
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 1:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VW supplied reman. 2.1
When? Is VW still selling reman. eng?
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Mueller" <wasserbox@MSN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 10:44 AM
After a long, difficult decision, and even after reading many messages of
praise, I chose to spend a few more dollar's for my remanufactured 2.1.
I purchased mine direct from VW parts.
Why?
Just for the very reason this conversation is on the list.
I feared possible engine failure, I feared warrantee coverage by a small
rebuilder on the opposite side of the country with no possibility to have
the problem resolved by the concern who sold me the rebuilt engine.
I felt for this reason, a VW rebuilt engine was well worth the price
difference, if for nothing else piece of mind, knowing wherever I may be if
I had troubles a VW dealer wouldn't be too far away.
I've read older posts regarding BB's engine remans.
They all are not perfect, and sometimes it seems he has a preponderence of
side stepping his responsablities.
I've read several main seal leaking problems in prior messages in the
archives.
Nobodies perfect.
Understood.
I just would have liked it better (if I was Dan) to have the rebuilder
closer at hand when something went wrong.
E-Mails and phone calls don't cure engine problems while on the road.
I feel his frustrations.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Vickery"
<davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<mailto:davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<about:blank>>>
To:
<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> The thing to be cautious of is buying an engine long distance. Any
> warranty
> is useless when the work is done by a local mechanic and the engine
> purchased and shipped. The costs to invoke the warrantee make it
> impractical.
>
> I say find the best local rebuilder that will install the engine and will
> stand behind their work no matter what happens. Or buy a cheap used
> engine
> and take your chances.
>
>
>
> >From: Bob Donalds
<donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>
> >Reply-To: Bob Donalds
<donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>
> >To:
vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>
> >Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> >Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:53:50 -0500
> >
> >I did get your email and was going over it and preparing a responce when
> >you posted this to the list
> >you never mentioned the head gasket blowing just that the
> >you felt I owed you 2K for cranks seal replacement
> >and that you thought I had glued the seals in that I improperly installed
> >them see your email below
> >I have done hundreds of engines and never have I glued a crank seals in
> >place the engine was not rebuilt with substantial error
> >I am sorry for your trouble but as I told you I feel you have ring damage
> >and that the engine was not set up right or it was driven to hard to soon
> >
> >to summerize
> >
> >you blew the heads off this engine and I am responceable for you driving
> >it
> >after the idiot lights came on
> >
> >you had a minor drain plug leak and a flywheel that weeped after you got
> >off the highway
> >due to piston ring damage
> >
> >I made no errors assembling this engine and I do silicone the head
> >gaskets
> >in place
> >
> >Bob Donalds
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bob:
> > I am considering describing my experiences with you and your rebuilt
> >engine on the Vanagon List. Before I do that, I offer you this last
> >opportunity to take responsibility for your error in the building of my
> >engine. To date, the error of placing glue on the wrong sides of both
> >main
> >seals has cost me over $2,000.
> >
> > Do you have any response whatsoever?
> >
> > Will you take responsibility for your error?
> >
> > Will you compensate me for my costs related to your error?
> >
> > Do you deny responsibility for the main seals error?
> >
> > Do you deny that you built the engine in my van?
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From:
DanielCRoberts@aol.com<mailto:DanielCRoberts@aol.com<about:blank>>
> > To:
vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>
> > Cc: donalds1@verizon.net<mailto:donalds1@verizon.net<about:blank>>
> > Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 5:19 PM
> > Subject: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> >
> >
> > I relied on recommendations from this List and chose Boston Bob when I
> >needed a rebuilt engine. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing.
> >
> > The Boston Bob rebuilt engine was installed in my 89 Camper GL (2.1
> >Liter) last spring. Almost from the beginning I noticed oil leakage from
> >the oil drain plug and from the front and rear of the engine. The leakage
> >was disappointing but at least did not seem to be severe when I left for
> >an
> >extended trip to southeastern US.
> >
> > Prior to the trip, I talked with Bob McDonalds (Boston Bob) and he
> >assured me the leaks would probably dissipate over time as internal
> >engine
> >pressure lessened with engine wear. However, when I returned from my
> >trip,
> >my own mechanic examined my engine and showed me that both front and rear
> >main seals had substantial leaks, as did the oil plug.
> >
> > I contacted Bob McDonalds again. He again suggested the problem might
> > be
> >with internal pressure related either to tight piston rings or to a
> >collapsed engine gases recirculation tube (his speculation). He
> >eventually
> >sent a new rubber tube although my mechanic had assured him and me that
> >the
> >existing tube was OK. I installed the new tube anyway. He also sent
> >several
> >different oil drain plugs and several different oil drain plug rings.
> >
> > None of the drain plugs or drain plug rings stopped the oil leakage
> > from
> >the oil drain plug. The oil drain plug still leaked, as did the front and
> >rear main seals.
> >
> > I sent an email to Bob asking him to provide some compensation for the
> >oil leaks and their effect on the value of my Vanagon. He did not respond
> >to my email.
> >
> > Next, while traveling in Colorado, the engine overheated when the
> >alternator froze, breaking the belt that also supplies the water pump. I
> >pulled off the road and turned off the engine as soon as the coolant
> >trouble light came on. (However, the alternator trouble light had come on
> >about one minute earlier and I did not pull over and stop as soon as that
> >light came on.)
> >
> > I examined the engine and saw what appeared to be a blown front main
> >seal. A subsequent examination of the engine by a 30-year Vanagon
> >mechanic
> >in Colorado confirmed my suspicion. Of course some would argue the fault
> >was mine for not immediately turning off the engine when the alternator
> >light came on. However, a subsequent investigation by the Colorado
> >mechanic
> >revealed that both front and rear main seals (head gaskets) had been
> >improperly installed.
> >
> > Both front and rear main gaskets had a large amount of glue over the
> >entire inside grooves--facing the engine. As a result, when the glue had
> >dried, gaps were created, thereby allowing oil to push through the gaps.
> >The Colorado mechanic said that the gasket failure was inevitable, given
> >the way the gaskets were installed.
> >
> > Boston Bob has refused to respond to my subsequent emails in which I
> >asked him to take responsibility for the leaking oil and subsequent blown
> >gasket.
> >
> > Replacing the improperly installed seals cost me about $1,500. Of
> > course
> >this does not include the motel bills when I was stranded in Colorado for
> >12 days. Fortunately, I can say the front and rear seals no longer leak
> >after being properly installed. The oil plug still leaks.
> >
> > This situation has been disheartening, as well as costly. I had been
> >pleased to obtain a Boston Bob engine. I thought I was dealing with a
> >reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, Boston Bob has refused to stand behind
> >his product even though I can document and prove the engine was rebuilt
> >with a substantial error.
> >
> > Because of the error and because of Boston Bob's refusal to be
> >responsible for the error, I suggest other List members use caution when
> >considering whether to purchase a rebuilt engine from Boston Bob.
> >
> > Dan Roberts
> >
> > CC: Bob McDonalds
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
Ron
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