Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:33:16 -0400
Reply-To: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix?
In-Reply-To: <0K5V00MS0O24SJA0@smtpin126.mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Thanks Everyone for the responses,
I would love to work with someone to learn. I agree with Dennis and
others. If you plan on owning one of these vans you need to be able to
get down and dirty to fix it yourself. If I was directed on what to do
and I can do it. I am just a little afraid to work on it alone and
screw the whole thing up since I have never really do any work on it
and don't have a garage. I need a side by side coach thats my issue. I
drove the van today and only a very small amount of coolant was
leaking from it.
I can travel anywhere within a a couple of hours, PA would be much
better Montreal, if I could get this done in a day or two by someone
who really know what they are doing. I watched Bens video on the
applying the permatex on the heads and it looks like fun. It the
exactness of the torque process that worries me if I were to do it
myself.
Budget
My cap is around $1,500-$2,000 for job.
From what everyone has said it sounds like getting a local shop by me
to do the head gaskets should be around $1500 - $2000 and that should
include a valve job?
I am more inclined to spend the money and get the heads and valves
done right, if its a necessity get new heads (AMC?) to go with gasket
job but only if absolutely necessary.
The other option someone posted which sounds the most promising as a
backup is the bars leak competitor - http://www.steelseal.com it shows
side by side comparison to Bars Leak and it looks to be a better
product and has a lifetime&* Guarantee! Who knows? But for $45 it
could be worth a shot. The reviews on the net so far all good
outweighing the one bad one which claimed it did not work, there are
far more that claimed it did work.
So what exactly should the process be?
Take it to the mechanic, have him pull one of the heads off?
Or do I drive to see one of you guys and we work on it together?
(With me having the parts in hand, Gasket set for both sides, permatex
etc...)
See the condition first?
See if the heads are pitted out?
If so get new heads?
If I need new heads who do I get them from?
If I don't change the heads and leave them pitted as they were and
just do the gaskets the engine will still work, just not at it's best
performance right?
The valve job can be done while the engine is still intact correct?
If I get a leak down test now to see the shape of the engine what
should the numbers be for each cylinder?
Should I get a leak down test first to see the health of the engine?
What should a leak down test cost?
My Goal
My ultimate goal is to get the van in the same shape as it is now, it
has been driven every weekend and driven 250 miles each weekend for
almost 3 years without a problem. I want to drive cross country with
my friend for 10 weeks on my way to Los Angeles CA. Sleeping in the
van during the trip. Once I get to LA is something goes really wrong I
can get someone out there to fix her up but hopefully that will not be
necessary.
What I believe Caused This
By the way I know what caused all of this to begin with. About a month
ago my van overheated big time, the hose that connects to the coolant
tank in the rear was disconnected and the temp gauge went nuts I drove
like that for 5 minutes at low speed before I could pull over into a
wallmart. I opened the engine bay and it was super hot! I saw the
coolant hose was disconnected, went into wallmart got a clamp and
screwed it down. When I went to fill up the coolant again and add the
water, I accidentally spilled like a large amount of water on the top
of the engine while filling the coolant tank! The engine steamed up
like crazy, it was shortly after that I noticed the coolant leak. I
assume by overheating it and then having water on it contracted/
expanded and did something to the gaskets? So in the end this may be
my own stupidity and bad luck.
Key Responses
On Aug 19, 2008, at 8:28 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
a 87,000 miles on the current head gaskets, it's due anyway.
that's about how long they last.
If it's external leakage ...........it's possible to do just the
leaking side. It's possible to do it with the engine in the van.
I do use Bars Leak.
Sometimes. And it has an affect. Quite a good product for some
applications.
At best it's just a band-aid approach of course.
On Aug 19, 2008, at 5:34 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Heads can be done with the engine in place. Book time is 11 hours
> for both sides.
> Engine replacement (exchange) book time is 16 hours.
> You have to shop for engines if going that route, be real carefull
> of a local rebuild.
> Then there are all the conversion options.
>
> If the enigne has good compression, leak down, oil pressure, and no
> signs of internal leaks, then a gasket set may get you some time.
> Gamble. If the gaskets failed due to corrosion of the head, bead
> blasting or wire wheel and the "Right Stuff" will get it sealed
> again. If you need new heads, stop and go for an engine.
>
> Dennis
On Aug 19, 2008, at 10:19 PM, Benny boy wrote:
> This e-mail was also sent to me... i'm not sure who will get it?
>
> I have a few engines (more than 12) Robert. That is your cheapest
> way (real
> cheap). As you are on a budjet and life is not always easy...(i have
> been
> there) Come up here and take one. I could also ask Hans in PA, he as
> a few.
> He is in Montreal this week, i can ask him tomorrow, PA is a bit
> closer. Or,
> get a few friends, remove the engine and drive up here.
>
> In les than 6 hours your engine will be open and re-seal and you
> will make
> your trip and more. Also, you can stay and watch, so you can do it
> yourself
> next time :-)
>
> Many customers and friends have learned to remove the engine and parts
> around it, they bring it to the shop and it's done in less than one
> day. It
> need to be stripped to a long block. I don't have much time lately
> (with all
> those Subi conversion) to do complete stock engine work (removing,
> cleaning...) so customers are doing part of the job... that way they
> learn a
> lot about their own engine, i do the easy work :-)
>
> I have ways of sealing those for a long long time....
>
> Worse case, your head have crack and your cooked! you will need new
> heads
> and that close to 1000$.
>
> So about what i have read on the vanagon mailing list.... forget
> that 1000$
> engine, it's IMPOSSIBLE to have a decent engine for that price!!!
>
> Heads cost 400 each, pistons & cylinders are over 400 also... + gasket
> kit... Comme on!!! that is a real joke. Look at Boston Bob quality
> work, he
> is around 2700$ if i remember. He is the only one i would trust and
> maybe
> Tencent from The Samba.
>
> this guy is cheating somewhere, BIG TIME.
>
> Cheers, Ben
