Date:         Wed, 9 May 2012 08:49:41 -0700
Reply-To:     Paul <wognacious@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul <wognacious@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
In-Reply-To:  <CAK8UGbQZnYQGMBos_JOa2KDS2MiMxKGrgS+sjoa=KZJTdpt1eA@mail.gmail.com>
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Paul <wognacious@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>


Based on that discussion , and I kinda knew it in the pit of my stomach but
for some reason needed confirmation, I'm driving on a dying engine. I'm in
the East, way East, Bay area near San Francisco. And I'm gonna need a
transplant. I've gotta milk this one for as long as I can. I hate to do it
to the engine but I just don't have the means to pull it now. Does anyone
near Tracy, CA have a reasonably priced long block that they can live
without? If so please let me know........
TIA for my soon to be MIA 1.9
Pablo R
1985 Westy



On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:17 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> A properly working oil warning light is either on or off. No faded glow. It
> shall turn on each time the ignition is turned on and then turn off after
> the engine starts and sufficient oil pressure is reached.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard Koerner
> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 3:30 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>
> Stuart,
>
> Thanks, that's helpful information; I'll keep an eye for that oil pressure
> light flickering.  I've had an occasion recently of very faint dull red
> glow
> from the LED at startup and idle, which subsequently quickly faded away
> once
> at operating temperatures.
>
>
> Reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to plan for the future.  I've been
> know
> to take some pretty long roadtrips in my Vanagon, like 10K-12K miles at a
> crack.  That would be unfortunate, to have to decide on a rebuild or Subie
> conversion while on the road thousands of miles from home base, lots of
> downtime too and expense.   And still not sure what my long term travel
> plans are, to keep Vanagon-based for the next 10 years or upsize a little
> to
> something like a Sprinter or the next generation Ford Transit scheduled for
> USA manufacture in 2014 (latest rumor).  I still really appreciate the
> handling of the Vanagon and garage-storage capability, both of which would
> be compromised by a larger van-style rig; I don't know if even a small
> Class
> A motorhome would suite my style which is on the "minimize" side.  And I've
> been a VW Van owner since 1974 so it's in my blood now.
>
> So if my current motor would be good for another 25K or so, it would buy me
> a few years time to dial in my long-term options.  I know at this age of
> the
> vehicle there are just so many factors to take into account regarding
> overall vehicle longevity, but I appreciate the helpful List advice on this
> issue.
>
> By the way, when I said it doesn't "burn oil", I guess it would have been
> more accurate to add "excessively"....I use about a half quart every 2000
> miles.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> --- On Tue, 5/8/12, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 9:31 AM
>
> Rich,
>
> Just drive on, and forget about it!  If you do a compression test, what
> will
> you do if it's low (and it will be)?  The death signal is when the oil
> pressure light starts coming on or flickering, particularly after a long
> run
> on the freeway.   When that happens it's time for a rebuild, or if it get
> so
> gutless a passenger has to help you push it up hills.
>
> My '84 went over 200,000 miles and was running strong, but I replaced it
> with a used 2.1 just for the fun of it years ago.   Bad idea.  I blew that
> one up (http://volksweb.relitech.com/21rodbrg.htm) and I don't have that
> rig
> anymore.
>
> Stuart
> '85 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard Koerner
> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 3:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>
> The 1.9 engine in my 85 manual Vanagon has 198,000 miles.  Never been
> opened
> for any reason.  Runs smooth as silk.  Gentle driving, burns no oil, always
> passes smog, power seems about the same as always.  Wondering how long this
> thing can last?  What's the best way to get some idea, compression test?
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>