Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:12:18 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Cleaning up your Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <21088979.4285.1254335560859.JavaMail.mcneely4@127.0.0.1>
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The inline gas VW motor that Neil is using (and I have one similar('92
Jetta 1.8liter) in my 84) they are probably as 'common as rocks'. Every VW
mechanic I have ever talked to says they'd be totally at ease working on
these things. I have heard it said that they are very durable motors (used
in many many different VW models over the years) and relatively trouble
free.
You'd likely get "nixed" in some California smog stations, though the same
basic block WAS OE on diesel Vanagons, so you might argue them on
that..California seems uninterested in the actual emissions from a
vehicle and more interested in "electronic paperwork" and state revenue
Mine seems to run very clean (no testing where I live, so no numbers for
this post) and delivers more highway effectivness than a WBX motor. Much
better gas mileage (averaging 23.5mpg over almost 40k miles)
and decent power for the cost. I just saw, listed on the Samba, an
adaptation package for $500. Motors are plentiful for under $500..I'd guess
you would be hard pressed to repair a WBX headgasket for that..
Your own mileage and cost will certainly differ, but it seems a pretty
good 'upgrade'...Just the amount of fuel burned would be 'Greener' both at
the pump($) and what's blown out the tailpipe over the years.
Don Hanson
On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 11:32 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 1:03 PM, neil N wrote:
>
>
> Part of the reason I installed a "newer" engine was to reduce
>> emissions.
>>
>>
> Best part, in a way, was the the old engine saw new life in another
>> Vanagon.
>>
>> Don't know if that owner installed a cat though.... :)
>>
>
> So, you didn't really accomplish your purpose, in that the old engine is
> still around, still emitting those noxious fumes. That's one thing the
> cfc program did accomplish. The engines that were turned in got
> trashed.
>
> However, if I do keep my camper (my wife really likes it), I'll think
> about the frankenvan notion -- though not being a skilled mechanic
> myself, that may make it even harder to get someone to work on it. But,
> another bright side, maybe it will need less work ........... ?
>
> Dave Mc
>
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