Date:         Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:07:42 -0400
Reply-To:     Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1.9 big end bolt in 2.1 engine?
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@charter.net>
In-Reply-To:  <49C54C0F.3080002@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

You are correct.  To add a little more info, the 2.1l bolts are of
stretch variety.  This means they stretch under torque during the
initial install.  The trouble is that after many miles, a widely
disputed 125k - 150k miles,  they stretch some more causing a drop in
oil pressure.  It is good to monitor oil pressure in your 2.1l WBX.

Now,  some people report having put over 200K miles on their 2.1
bottom end without a rebuilt.

On 3/21/09, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
> Zoltan wrote:
>> I think, Boston Bob told me once, that he is using non-stretch bolts from
>> the 1.9 engine in the 2.1, instead of the original stretch bolt.  Any of
>> you know this?
>> Zoltan
>>
>>
>>
> While the matter of these bolts has been brought up, it's worthy of
> mention of the original problem with them. Apparently the original 2.1L
> rod bolts were subject to elongating and  allowing the rod ends to go
> oval, thus losing oil pressure resulting in a burned bearing followed by
> the engine seizing,  and subsequently a thrown rod. Changing to the 1.9L
> bolt apparently put an end to that nonsense. I have not heard of using
> the diesel bolt for that purpose, but perhaps so.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>

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Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"