Date:         Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:13:01 -0400
Reply-To:     Ben <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      Re: contemplating engine upgrade
Comments: To: "Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN)" <Pascal.Giasson@gnb.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <A817922C9DAF504580C0D892C343677602089CED@GNBEX01.gnb.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I do not know Pascal, well, let say that he is not mechanically inclined
at all, like most westy owner!

One thing here, i have another customers who take great care of his 87
bought new, 420,000km (260,000miles)  on the original engine, of what we
know orignal heads also. Engine still run smooth, burn some oil but not
that much.

Just some fact.

Cheers

Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN) wrote:

>Ben,
>
>Any idea of the driving habits of this person, and their friend.  What
>about maintenance habits.  Are they mechanically inclined, or do they
>just drive the things?  This just sounds too abnormal.
>
>The first thing I tell my non mechanically inclined friends who want a
>Westy like mine is, you better find a good VW mechanic and have lots of
>spare money for repairs...I actually discourage them.  However, for my
>mechanically inclined friends, I say "fill your boots", I point them to
>all the online resources, and encourage them to get one as I know they
>will get a lot of enjoyment from both camping, and tinkering on them.
>
>Pascal
>
>---
>This morning i was talking to a customer/friend in the shop wile
>drinking a
>cofee and he was telling me about his 84 Westy life that he bought new
>in 84
>(sold it once and bought it back 3 years ago), when new, and in a 60k
>miles
>period he had to go through 3 set of heads and heads gasket, after
>90kmiles
>he sold the westy to a friend, they had to go through 2 engine
>rebuilt... so
>this morning i was looking at the heads gasket leaking again, the van as
>now
>about 140k mile. Anyway, many had better luck but what is the % of
>those...
>who knows. The conclusion is simply that they are getting old, as much i
>we
>can save and rebuilt the van itself (body, steering, suspension), the
>power
>plant (including the FI and cooling system)is getting obsolete.
>
>Cheers, Ben
>http://www.benplace.com/
>
>
>
>