Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 17:33:02 EDT
Reply-To: Cotsford@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Cotsford <Cotsford@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Road trip and mechanics litany of issues
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
If there is really an oil gallery plug leaking you should really worry
but...how can he tell without pulling the engine out? If you have a little oil
leaking from between the back of the engine and transmission, I do not see how
it could be identified as anything other than the rear crankshaft seal without
removing the engine and pulling off the flywheel/flex plate. Sounds a bit
like a scare tactic to me.
I had an oil gallery plug come out of my 1.7 aircooled VW camper engine,
behind the flywheel, and it caused the crank to seize. It pumped all of the
engine oil out within 2 miles, scrapped the crank and crankcase and I had to
rebuild the entire bottom end of the engine. It was not fun.
I would be inclined to get a second opinion from a known (or another) VW Van
expert before getting into something expensive.
It does sound like you need at least a little brake work and perhaps a new
water pump. If the pump has leaked it probably wont last much longer.
Good luck,
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "A. Hurley" <ahurley@VIEWIT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:39 PM
Subject: Road trip and mechanics litany of issues
> So...I need to drive from Seattle to Aracta, CA and took my van in to a
> mechanic for an oil change, belt change and checkup.
>
> He came back with all this:
>
> Left front brake caliper is sticking, pads worn to 20% ($600?)
>
> Runs lean - needs tune up (adjust the mixture screw?)
>
> Fly seal and galley plug leaking
>
> Front heater valve leaks (not losing much)
>
> Water pump has stain at weep hole
>
> Right ball joint bad, need upper boots
>
>
>
> So...estimate is about $1500, and recommend I don't go to CA Friday....
>
> Any advice or opinions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andree
>
>
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Andree Hurley
> Viewit.com - http://viewit.com/
> Kayak Instruction Newsletter -
> http://onwatersports.com/KIX/Newsletters/KayakNewsletterSpring08.html
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