Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:56:01 -0700
Reply-To: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix?
In-Reply-To: <B1859851-0C2F-40A8-9A91-F6BA226B07E3@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I think it is corossion. I don't think anything is melted.
To melt a thermostat housing the pistons and the cylinder heads
had to be melted first. Seeing on the picture and seeing the real
thing can be very different. So this is just my opinion.
David
--- Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM> wrote:
> So no responses to the photo's? or the other questions?
>
> R
>
> On Aug 22, 2008, at 3:17 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
>
> > I took some shots of the engine underneath so you can the leaks, its
> > much worse on the left side of the van. The right one appears minor.
> >
> > To refresh this a 2.1 L auto, Wolfsburg edition. Mobil1 15/50 oil
> > synthetic used for over 3 yrs now. Prestone Phosphate free coolant.
> > Transmission was rebuilt 2 years ago.
> >
> > The thermostat housing edges started to melt at the edge where it
> > meets the body of the engine, so I am replacing that. You will photo's
> > of what I mean below:
> >
> > http://gallery.me.com/rmstewart#100072
> >
> > It sound as thought from what Dennis said that a compression test
> > might still be a good idea just to gauge the health of the engine. I
> > was told it takes an hour to do, correct?
> >
> > The fuel lines were replaced by the previous owner but I was going to
> > them as well just to be safe, as some will remember that is how I lost
> > my first Van in December of 2001 next to Rockefeller center in NYC.
> >
> > The other issue the powersteering pump has the connector on it to be
> > connected to something and I can't find anything in the engine bay
> > that looks remotely disconnected and hanging. I am completely at a
> > loss.
> >
> > If I do the job with a mechanic I think it will be with the place that
> > opened up as they seem the most pro and have someone locally that do
> > the head resurfacing if needed.
> >
> > Still undecided on the next steps.
> >
> > R
> >
> > On Aug 22, 2008, at 2:32 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> >
> >> Depends on the brand of new head.
> >> I'm not impressed with AMC heads and have a flat 'wrong' with about
> >> 10,000
> >> miles on it - dimensionally, it's off significantly concerning the
> >> outer
> >> water gasket.
> >>
> >> I much prefer good used heads gone through.
> >> what do you mean by 'machined' ??
> >>
> >> If you mean new valves and guides, or knurled guides and cleaned up
> >> valves..........that's generally called a 'valve job' and not
> >> 'machined'.
> >> As long as valve guides fit tightly ..........
> >> a head can be brought back to spec numerous times.
> >> There are valve guides that are oversize on the outside so they'll
> >> fit
> >> tightly like they should, should that be needed.
> >> It's possible to replace valve seats too.
> >> my point is...........sure, they can only last through so many valve
> >> jobs,
> >> but they can take several valve jobs unless cracked etc.
> >> And yes, of course, it's VERY possible for a machine shop to do it
> >> wrong.
> >> You bethcha !!
> >>
> >> There is also resurfacing them on the flat bottom part, and then
> >> taking a
> >> like amount of material from the combustion chamber area, and
> >> checking/adjusting the 'step distance' between those two spots -
> >> which
> >> determines the how much the outer water gasket gets compressed.
> >> And that dimension is a funky area. And that's what is WAY off
> >> about the
> >> near-new AMC head I have still.
> >>
> >> You ask about reconditioned heads - I think it was TRW ........might
> >> have
> >> been.........
> >> back when I worked on air-cooled VW's. Those were notorious for
> >> being
> >> funky. Perhaps it was for Type IV air-cooled engines - valve seats
> >> falling
> >> out or whatever. So I'm not so sure I like out of the box rebuilt
> >> heads,
> >> but that's an option for sure.
> >>
> >> I much prefer to take a decent of good used heads to a machine shop,
> >> and
> >> have them do good valve work to it.
> >> I've not bothered with waterboxer heads, but there is also getting
> >> them
> >> pressure tested .....to check for cracks and places coolant might
> >> sneak to
> >> someplace it's not supposed to be.
> >>
> >> These $ 1000 new heads. Is that VW OEM ?
> >> Those I might be inclined to like.
> >> But normally...........it's good VW heads, to a good machine shop -
> >> is what
> >> I prefer.
> >> Scott
> >> www.turbovans.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> if too small, the rubber gasket pinches. ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "B Feddish" <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 5:38 AM
> >> Subject: New vs. machined heads, a spinnoff of Engine Replacement or
> >> Gasket
> >> Fix?
> >>
> >>
> >>> I'm going to be in the same situation as Robert this winter and
> >>> I'll be
> >>> having my 1.9 rebuilt. One of the big expenses appears to be the
> >>> heads.
> >>> What is the advantage of buying new heads, vs, reconditioned heads
> >>> vs.
> >>> having a machine shop do them? Let's say my current engine has
> >>> gone 80K
> >>> miles on it's last set of machined heads. That was fine with me as
> >>> the
> >>> rebuild was dirt cheap. Am I only getting longetivity with new
> >>> heads or
> >>> are
> >>> they much more reliable? Can the machine shop do it "wrong"? Are
> >>> reconditioned ones a good compromise?
> >>>
> >>> Heads come up allot here and I'm trying to determine if that extra
> >>> $1000
> >>> expense is worth it if I'm fine with my next rebuilt not being able
> >>> to
> >>> make
> >>> it to 200K.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> Bryan
>
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