Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:53:01 -0700
Reply-To: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: 1980 Vanagon air cooled :Dying engine
In-Reply-To: <BAY106-F236A307942463C08E56657D3950@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Janyce:
Not every engine is rebuildable. You should investigate your engine trying
to get a good idea what are the things that have gone wrong and if they are
rebuildable at a reasonable cost.
You are in a city that is known to be expensive to live in. Check the city
code to see if they allow you to rebuild engine in your place. I am in San Jose,
an hour and a half south to you. My city has a civil code that disallows engine
rebuilding even in my own garage. Minor repairs are allowed but must be completed
in 72 hours. Non operating vehicles can not be stored on the driveway for more
than 72 hours. This is violation of human rights but I am not going to fight it.
The best strategy for you in my opinion is to look for a used but still working
engine. Buy it cheaply and do a swap with your engine. Then rebuild yours in the
garage (if you have one) and take your time to do a good job. This is of course
if you have the interest to rebuild it still.
The easiest is to find a shop to replace it with an already rebuilt one for you.
It costs more but it is a lot easier. Good luck.
David
--- Janyce Bartlett <janycebartlett@MSN.COM> wrote:
> Hi Everybody:
>
> My van's engine has reached the end of the road. In July, I lost the rear
> axle and got hooked up with a mechanic in San Francisco through this board,
> who fixed the job with used parts for 250. I asked him if he would work on
> the engine to eliminate the oil leaks that had progressively gotten worse
> since I bought it in 2004. His analysis of the situation was that the
> engine was done and I should get rid of the air-cooled and get a water
> cooled if I wanted to still have a Vanagon. He said the engine had gotten
> too hot from overworking it and not taking care of it (I was very poor in
> San Diego and coult not tend to things). When he gave the engine gas, it
> was making a real load noise which he said was from air leaking from the
> exhaust into the engine and that it was burning oil. I said I did not intend
> to get rid of the van and wanted to fix it. His estimate on the
> installation of a rebiult engine was $4,000. He said to just drive my van
> until it wouldn't go anymore, which is where I am at now. I had just
> changed the oil and adding some fuel injector cleaner but did not have a
> full tank of gas. The van is backfiring and is very loud like there is no
> muffler at all. And it puts at a lot of smoke.(which it has been doing for
> a while especially went I first start running it or when it has to do any
> upgrade which it can barely do. ) It has absolutely no power at all. It
> barely moves only in first gear and jerks a lot. I guess I will not know if
> it has failed seals and gaskets or a cracked head until I take it apart.
>
> This is my situation. I would like to rebuild this engine myself with the a
> professional doing the cylinder work. The van is presently is an
> unrestricted street parking spot in Sausalito, CA. I have
> AAA basic which will tow it within five miles without charge. I would like
> to locate a vacant work space for a month, preferably in Sausalito, Marin
> City, or Mill Valley,and rent the heavy equipment I need to remove and mount
> the engine. My auto repair skills are at a minimum but I have a technical
> education to help me learn. I have wanted to break down and rebuild a
> engine for a some time. The time is right. my job is done oct 31 and I have
> the cash to get me through. I noticed someone had done a rebuild in August
> on T2, so hopefully with some internet guidance I can get it done.
>
> First, Is there anyone out there in the Marin County area that would know of
> a place I could use for a month. Also where could I come by engine removal
> and mounting equipment. I am going to make a checklist of all the supplies
> and parts I need. Does anyone know of a good resource that walks you
> through a rebuild project for the novice. I do read the Bentley , but it
> assumes the user is a trained mechanic. I also have the VW idiot's guide.
> The bottom line is I want to do this to learn and finally understand how it
> all works.
> Let me know your thoughts and advice.
> Cheers,
> Janyce
>
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