Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 22:14:31 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon woes!
In-Reply-To: <E87C95271D474C608754E62FED8AB259@TIMEMACHINE>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Doug, Welcome Aboard!!
WE have a good crowd, and you are in luck - we have some good
Vanagoneers in OK. I know they will respond.
Sounds like you have a few issues, but let me address a couple - the
tapping sound, and fuel system fires.
All vanagons with the 2.1L WBX engine - which you probably have - all
have hydraulic lifters and they periodically will leak down. They do it
in a random order for no apparent reason. Not to worry - just drive it a
few miles at speed and it will usually go away. One caveat - if your
engine is old- lots of miles - you could have a worn lifter, in which
case it's another story. At the first opportunity, change the oil to
15W50 Mobil One or other 15W50 high grade oil. This is important on
these engines. Also, change the filter to a Mann or a Mahle Oil filter.
These two seem to be the only filters that have an internal oil pressure
relief spring strong enough to hold the oil in the oil galleries when
the engine is shut down. This little feature is what prevents the
lifters from going flat when the engine is sitting and not being run.
The other item of VERY SERIOUS note is the propensity for Vanagons to
burn. A burning Vanagon is a horrible site to behold, especially when
it's yours. Without delay - like don't even run it tomorrow - until you
change the fuel hoses on our favorite little beastie. It is relatively
easy to do, but you want to change out all fuel hoses in the engine
compartment pronto. Including the hoses on the fuel rail and the fuel
injectors. Go to www.vanagon.com and you will find a list of parts
vendors that cater to Vanagon owners. They are a good bunch of guys and
are always willing to provide advice and guidance to most any problem.
This is one of the great things about owning a Vanagon. There's not
another group out there like them or us. We have a unique relationship.
Whomever you talk to amongst the vendors, be sure to ask for their
complete fuel injection hose kit. That should get you the right high
pressure hose for the job plus the clamps and the short hoses for the
injectors. To do the job, you will need at least a pair of pliers, a
common and Phillips screwdriver, and a small socket wrench set and an
Xacto knife with two or three blades. The kits I have bought have the
instructions and graphics for doing the job. The kits will come with
injector seals. Replace all - do not shortcut. Cost is around $60-65 the
last time I looked. Don't put this off. Better put something else off.
Some of the other folk will chime in her for sure.
Good luck.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
Douglas and Annie Dodson-Mäuck wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm a first time owner of an '87 Vanagon GL and don't have any experience with VWs. I purchased it back in July from an individual through Craigslist, drove it for a couple of months and started having trouble with it. The issues I'm having include oil leaks from yet determined origins, a tapping noise, the engine belching white smoke at initial startup and the unmistakable odor of coolant the last time I drove it. The odometer reads over 187 K and had the oil leaks upon purchase, everything else is recent. I'm sitting down, have braced myself and think I'm prepared for the prognosis.
>
> I reside between Tulsa and Stillwater in Oklahoma and would appreciate advice from any Vanheads in the area who could direct me to a local Vdub mechanic who may be able to help with a diagnosis.
>
> Thanks to all,
> ~ Doug
>
>
>
> Harm None, Do What You Will
>
>
>
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