Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (August 2008, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:44:36 -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 repair or replacement?
Comments: To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <71d9cdf90808192101k4ba8f9b0p4276271188e1e55a@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Its the gasket on outside under the main head on both left and right sides. I not a mechanic and am learning this still.

R

On Aug 20, 2008, at 12:01 AM, Jake de Villiers wrote:

> Your head gasket was a head gasket, his 'head gasket' is a rubber > water seal > - two very different things. > > On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 5:53 PM, Jack R. <jack007@comcast.net> wrote: > >> Jake, >> >> Don't knock it until you try it... that "Head Gasket in a Can" got me >> 50,000 >> miles on the BMW, and it wasn't leaking a drop when we sold it. He >> is out >> of a job, and if a $30 investment gives him the same results as my >> BMW, >> then >> it's worth a shot. I'd be sure to drive it for a couple of weeks >> before >> any >> long trip just to make sure things are tight. Also, I'd be sure >> that it is >> running as cool as possible. I wouldn't try going across the >> desert in the >> middle of August with the stuff, unless I had a back-up plan. >> >> But... I was pouring about a quart of anti-freeze in my BMW per >> week, until >> I put the "Head Gasket in a Can" in, and didn't add a drop for two >> years. >> The white smoke stopped right away. For good measure, when I >> flushed the >> system two years later, I did the Bars leak treatment again. I was >> skeptical myself, and maybe the BMW was a better candidate for this >> repair >> than a WBX... but I was sure pleased to drive a $1000 car for 3 >> years, 50k >> miles, on a $30 repair. >> >> Jack R. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On >> Behalf Of >> Jake de Villiers >> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:33 PM >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> Subject: Re: Engine repair or replacement? >> >> Guys, he's talking about driving his family across the Continent >> for God's >> sake! Some 'Head Gasket in a Can' won't do it when that gasket >> starts >> chunking off halfway across Nevada and then he'll be in a position >> of no >> strength whatsoever. >> >> Use your imagination, huh? :) >> >> On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 5:22 PM, Jack R. <jack007@comcast.net> wrote: >> >>> Robert, >>> >>> I have had some great success with the Bars Leak Head Gasket >>> repair on a >> 91 >>> BMW 325i. The motor had 200k on it and was blowing white smoke like >> crazy >>> out the exhaust. I only paid $1,000 for the car, and expected to >>> put >> about >>> the same into the repair. I thought, what the heck, I'll give the >>> Bars >>> Leak >>> stuff a try. It worked like a charm, and we put 50k on the motor, >>> before >>> we >>> sold the car for $500. >>> >>> I will caution you, when using the Bars Leak, you MUST... did I say >> MUST... >>> get ALL of the coolant out of the system before adding the Bars >>> Leak. >>> There are specific steps, and the Bars Leak Head Gasket solution >>> does NOT >>> do >>> well with any type of coolant in the system. It will gum up the >>> works! >>> >>> As I am sure you have seen, the Vanagon is not an easy vehicle to >>> flush >> and >>> fill, and you need to do this 3 times to get the full effect of >>> the Bars >>> Leak. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AT EVERY LAST DETAIL, and you will >> probably >>> be happy with the results. Heck, $10 for the Bars Leak, and >>> another $20 >> or >>> so for the new (phosphate free) coolant, you may just have the >>> leak stop >>> until you find a new job. >>> >>> Jack R. >>> 84 Westy Wolfie >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On >>> Behalf >> Of >>> Robert Stewart >>> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:10 PM >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Subject: Re: Engine repair or replacement? >>> >>> What do you think about the bars stop leak gasket fix? >>> >>> R >>> >>> On Aug 19, 2008, at 7:05 PM, Ben Cichowski wrote: >>> >>>>>>> I talked to this guy Ken Morgan who sells engines under the name >>>> jake4parts on ebay. He has 2.1 L engine for sale for $975. I know >>>> some people say that he shady, I am not sure. Spoke to him and he >>>> sounds like a nice guy who is knowledgeble.<<< >>>> >>>> Hey Robert, >>>> >>>> sorry to hear about he job...and the engine...total bummer, lots of >>>> us have been there. >>>> >>>> As for your statement above... they ALL sound nice and >>>> knowledgeable. I don't know this guy "jake4parts", but if more than >>>> a few people on this list have said he is a scam artist, I'd take >>>> their advice and avoid business with him. I may not know him, but I >>>> have certainly known scammers and, like I said, they are always the >>>> nicest guys on the phone; always have the answers and say the right >>>> thing. From your post, you sound like you are leaning in this >>>> direction, just don't want to see a guy make a bad situation worse. >>>> just my 2 cents. >>>> >>>> -Ben >>>> >>>>> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:51:37 -0400 >>>>> From: robertmstewart@MAC.COM >>>>> Subject: Engine repair or replacement? >>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>>>> >>>>> Hi Everyone, >>>>> >>>>> More on my story... >>>>> >>>>> My 88 automatic wolfsburg with 237,000 miles on it with a rebuilt >>>>> engine at 150,000 miles just had the head gaskets start leaking. >>>> Small >>>>> amounts of coolant are coming out. >>>>> >>>>> I was told it's missing .5 inches on each side of the head. I have >>>> not >>>>> verified it yet. >>>>> >>>>> Please note I just lost my job as dissolved the position and >>>>> have a >>>>> couple months of severance an unemployment insurance coming in, so >>>>> cost is a big factor. I cant afford a lot but I want to do the >>>>> right >>>>> thing. The van has been running fine for the most part and I only >>>> add >>>>> about a quarter of the coolant tank every 200 miles. So the leak >>>>> is >>>>> not terrible >>>>> >>>>> I have been doing some research and here are what appear to be the >>>>> options: >>>>> >>>>> 1. Use something like Bars STOP Leak - Head Gasket Fix WORKS WITH >>>> ALL >>>>> TYPES OF ANTIFREEZE! ( >>>>> DOES THIS EVEN WORK? >>>>> http://www.barsproducts.com/1111.htm >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> 2. Use something like Permatex on the edge (though I am told this >>>> wont >>>>> work it might be temporary fix) >>>>> >>>>> 3. Remove the engine and have the gaskets replaced $1200-$1500 >>>>> >>>>> 4. http://www.alumiweld.com ? temporary fix. >>>>> >>>>> 5. Get a new engine >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> $975 & $190 shipping - Ken Morgan (Jake4parts on ebay) >>>>> >>>>> I talked to this guy Ken Morgan who sells engines under the name >>>>> jake4parts on ebay. He has 2.1 L engine for sale for $975. I know >>>> some >>>>> people say that he shady, I am not sure. Spoke to him and he >>>>> sounds >>>>> like a nice guy who is knowledgeble. >>>>> >>>>> >>> >>> >> >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-1991-VW-Vanagon-Rebuilt-2-1L-Engine-Long >>> >>> >> >> -Block_W0QQitemZ320284970269QQcmdZViewItem? >> hash=item320284970269&_trkparms=3 >>> >> >> 9 >> %3A1 >> %7C66 >> %3A4%7C65%3A10%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting< >> >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-1991-VW-Vanagon-Rebuilt-2-1L-Engine-Long >> >> -Block_W0QQitemZ320284970269QQcmdZViewItem? >> hash=item320284970269&_trkparms=3 >> 9%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting<http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-1991-VW-Vanagon-Rebuilt-2-1L-Engine-Long-Block_W0QQitemZ320284970269QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320284970269&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting> >>> >>>>> >>>>> "1986 - 1991 VW Vanagon 2.1L Engine Rebuilt (Long Block) Has all >>>>> new >>>>> bearings, rings and valve job - This engine is completely resealed >>>>> with all new head gaskets and crank seals... Built in our shop, >>>> these >>>>> engines also comes with all installation gaskets to complete the >>>>> installations into your vanagon... Comes with flywheel or flex >>>>> plate >>>>> - Specify whether you have an automatic or stickshift... >>>>> >>>>> This engine also fits 83-85 Vanagon waterboxers with a small >>>>> modification to the center intake manifold plenum (ask for product >>>>> circular)... Comes with a 12mo/12,000mile warranty, technical >>>>> bulitens for start-up and break-in as well as selection of motor >>>> oils >>>>> for long life and reliability... >>>>> >>>>> Shipping Flat Rate $190.00 to any major city trucking terminal in >>>> the >>>>> Continental USA - For Home delivery or Liftgate truck service add >>>>> $96.00" >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Need some help trying to figure out what I should I, finances are >>>>> tight. I want to move to California and drive my van there. >>>>> >>>>> Much appreciated all the ideas that you send my way. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> >>>>> Robert >>>>> >>>>> NY >>>> >>>> Be the filmmaker you always wanted to be-learn how to burn a DVD >>>> with WindowsR. Make your smash hit >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Jake >> 1984 Vanagon GL >> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" >> Crescent Beach, BC >> www.crescentbeachguitar.com >> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27 >> >> > > > -- > Jake > 1984 Vanagon GL > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" > Crescent Beach, BC > www.crescentbeachguitar.com > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.