Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:06:05 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Bio Diesel Vanagon Photo Booth
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Hi,
lol, I almost know more about them that I want to.
BTDT 'lots'.
in my opinion the overall most rugged and not-electronically controlled VW
diesel engine for a Vanagon is the AAZ 1.9 TD.
For anything 'prior to' electronicallay controlled direct injection TDI's
...the AAZ is the way to go.
( you can get a purly mechanical injection pump to run a TDI engine though
...some specialists do that ) ..
but for a stock good engine ..it's the AAZ 1.9 TD.
then ..
82 diesel vanagons need a higher geared transmission ..the stock 4 speed
that year is a joke.
83 5 speeds are a rare diesel vanagon ( I have a sunroof version for sale
btw ) and that trans is fine.
if converting a waterboxer , 83 and up vanagon ......that trans is all
right, gearing wise.
syncro's can take 1.9 TD and tdi engines just fine.
( if getting into later model more powerful TDI engines ....people usually
riase the top two gears during a trans rebuild ..as tdi's have more torque
in the lower rpm ranges that 'normal' diesel engines. )
the AAZ has a normal power curve and rpm redline ..
they'll do up to 5K rpm ....usually the max you'd run one to is maybe 4,400
rpm ..
they'll do 65 to 70 in top gear with the right gearing.
You can get a decent 65 mph cruiser with a 1.9 TD ..the AAZ as long as you
don't have some weird trans like the stock 82 DV 4 speed.
a 1.9 NA is not bad.
There's one runinng that's a rebuilt 1.9 NA in a 5 speed diesel vanagon.
The owner and I are both very pleased with that engines power.
not to complicate things ..but there are a few kinds of 1.9's.
'real' 1.9 diesels have larger D shaped intake ports.
that's the type of head ( with 7mm valve stems too ..and I wonder if those
might be a small factor in this engine's really decent power, for a
non-turbo 1.9 ) on 'good' 1.9's.
So D shapped intake ports on the head are 'the right thing.'
And a german made block and head is preferred over mexican made I think.
all german made AAZ's have the correct type of head on them.
there are 1.9s made in mexico , probably sold by overland, with heads that
have the smaller oval 1.6 type intake ports.
Not as good I don't think at all.
On that particular 1.9 NA that runs quite well for a non-turbo engine ..
I built up , by welding, porting, and surfacing, a true '1.9 NA diesel
vanagon intake manfiold' , that helps I'm sure. And it's running a 1.6 TD
rebuilt injection pump ..
with four carefully selected injectors.
I drove that van around some with the fresh engine in it, so I didn't want
to push it much ..
and the body was pretty gutted...but that van always 'could go faster than I
asked it to go' even up long grades.
my point is ..
a 'good' 1.9 NA can be a fine choice for a diesel vanagon engine.
and the 1.9 TD is a little nicer.
( oh btw.....in a turbo diesel engine ...
you drive with your eye on the EGT guage on hills...Very important to not
exceed about 1,200 degrees F exhuast temp. There are TD vans that run just
great.... ..but on all long hills..
it's watch the EGT rather than just make 'er go as good as she will.'
some TD vans are limited to 45 to 50 mph on long grades due to EGT, not due
to power limitations.
The tdi guru's can comment on that of course ....but it's not an entirely
untrue comment.
TDI'S are a whole step up and pretty much another realm , if electronically
controlled .
An m-tdi ...quite good ..
though seems to me one would be dependent on the guy who built the custom
pump to run it ..somewhat at least.
there are Brizilian VW factory tdi mechancial pumps ... a bit expensive I
gather.
so for the ordinary person not wanting to go too exotic ..
the AAZ 1.9 TD ..with decent gearing ..
is a real solid combo.
I'll try to stop soon ..lol..
I find exactly 5 advantages to diesel ( fuel economy, range on a given size
tank, ability to run biofuels or cooking oil, and better torque at lower
rpm, or more torque period, compared to gas )
and numberous disadvantges.
The smaller ones ..1.6's ...they're delicate really................ pushing
a big vanaogn.
if the timing belt screws up for an instant ....it's severe damage, to the
head at least.
The engine depends on being in good condtion iself to produce enough
compression to run well...
a modern gasoline engine can run just fine even being fairly worn out ,
with electronic fuel injection, igniton , 02 sensor etc.
If the injectors have a spray pattern problem ..it can harm the engine. I
have a head gasket and a head here to prove that. They have to be kept
right, really, to last and be reliable.
They vibrate more ...things can wear through and cause fires or whatever.
They can be really noisy ...I always warn people with Westy's ...you need to
do lots of extra work on sound deadening.
and they can smoke and stink.
I find them a bother to fire up cold...........some people don't mind ..
I just find them very 'industrial' . .
I did drive one just fine for about 8 years...my only and main vehicle...a 5
speed 1.9 TD 82 GL vanagon.
And I may bet back into it more if fuel gets very expensive again.
If gas is available ( and look how totally dependent we are on 'the man, and
the system' to get that juice..
if they go down, or if price goes way way up, or there's much of a shortage,
we could be really screwed.
Otherwise, aAs long as we can get gas I like a good smooth fast gasoline
engine myself.
There is also the feeling or perception that a diesel runs 'for free' sort
of ..
they burn less fuel ( though more expensive pump fuel ) ..they can run on
veggie oil, etc.
All that is attractive all right.,
my normal rule for any VW engine is ..
'keep it in perfect tune.'
keep good clean oil in it' ( and other fluids fresh in water-cooled vanagon
engines )
and 'drive it right.,'
For diesel I would say ..
you have to start out with something pretty fresh.
and ..being under the extreme stress that they are under..
they go downhill in terms of engine wear in a linear manner in my opinion.
where a gas engine ..I could drive any decent modern engine 250K without
trying pretty much, I bet.
also ..any notion that 'diesels are tough and love to be driven hard' ..
I have all the failed cyldiner heads..
the blocks with holes in them ....etc.
to show you that's not true.
They need more care and understanding than gasoline engines.
They're not idiot proof, let's say that.
or less idiot proof at least.
They really need to be driven right, and well taken care of.
but sure ..and I'm looking forward to driving my quite cherry 82 Sunroof
diesel vanagon with fully rebuilt 1.6 NA engine in it ...turbo head even (
slightly better material in a turbo 1.6 head than in a non-turbo one ) ..
I'm hoping for 28 Miles per Gallon in local use with it. Mabye 15 hours
more work and it'll be running ..
when fully sorted out perfectly, it's for sale.
sure ..start researching diesel vanagons. Most people love theirs.
I also think in the long run,
quite often, counting costs of repairs and rebuilds ..
there's not a net dollars savings really in the end.
though many would dispute that and I'm sure some diesel vw owners get many
miles between rebuilds and major repairs ( like rebuilding an injection
pump ) and their net savings over gas is on the positive side.
diesel jettas/golfs are not really comarable to diesel vanagons I don't
think, since pushing a van is as much as 3 times as much load on the engine
, as the little cars are.
last line..there are those who believe diesel is The Way ..
nothing else even comes close, they run forever , the never blow up and they
get fantastic fuel milage.
That's partially true, yes, but only partially. They do blow up ..
you need to start with something good, and take very good care of it, and
they can serve well.
scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John C..." <jcarp1910@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: Bio Diesel Vanagon Photo Booth
> Hi All,
>
> I know zip about Diesel Vanagons!
> (amongst the mountain of things I know absolutely nothing about !!!
> heh...
> heh...
> And, I'm pretty sure many of us would like to know and understand them
> better !?
>
> But, I was Very impressed with one I saw up at a Union OR get together!
> ( hey! Love Union for that matter !!! :o)
>
> What is the best diesel to convert a van to ( and why :o)
> What are the benefits to owning a Diesel over Gas?
>
> I'm assuming a Turbo is the way to go for the best long distance traveler?
>
> Is the best conversion engine an Audi? Which engine?
>
> And does anyone have any links handy for more diesel to Vanagon Info?
>
> Curious minds just want to know !!!
> ( now back to my Enquirer rag-azine !!! :o)
>
> thanks !!!
> JC...
>
> & have a happy Saturday !!!
> oh yeah,,, I'm retired now
> &&& every days a Saturday. hee hee...
>
> On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 9:13 AM, Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> These guys are doing a Bio Diesel conversion in a Vanagon Westy and
>> adding
>> a
>> photo booth and touring the country---should give Vanagons a lot of
>> publicity.
>>
>> http://kck.st/fJK4Hu
>>
>> Harold
>> ___
>> Harold Teer
>> 1991 Westy (Vangaux)
>> Harrisonburg, VA
>>
>
>
>
> --
> *Everyone is looking for the answers
> Well look again, come on my friend
> Love will find us in the end*
