Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:19:42 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Continuing saga 82 aircooled 2.0l westy emission failure
issues update
In-Reply-To: <CACynUEO3FMfid8RZYVqRL88c9M17pOft5_nrS8-vQR3+o+nhDg@mail.gmail.com>
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A leak down test will identify your valve problem. Yes AMC heads had their
problems years ago. They have become much better.
Regardless of the low mileage it is likely the cause of the previous engine
failure was not corrected. These engines have no tolerance and even bad
driving methods can cause damage.
Across the board the compression is low. Since you are looking at a major
repair here see if you can get an extension for the inspection. Most states
have a $$ limit for repairs to grant the extension or exception.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ken Wyatt
Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2012 11:46 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Continuing saga 82 aircooled 2.0l westy emission failure issues
update
Hi Folks,
Last week I mentioned my van could not pass emissions here in Utah (Salt
Lake City) even with a fairly new rebuild (<6K). It was about 4
times over on Hydrocarbons. I mentioned I had an auto mechanic
instructor friend with a smoker who was going to help me try to locate any
vacuum leaks. On Thursday I drove to his house. I backed into his driveway
to allow easy access to the engine area from his garage.
Immediately he called me to the tail pipe. He put a piece of cardboard
across the exhaust. He then said he knew the problem. He said he heard it
while I was backing in. Bad exhaust valve. He based this on the sounds and
pulsing of the exhaust gases. It would puff when the bad valve opened too
soon. That was my big fear all along.
We proceeded to check the vacuum system anyway using the smoker. No smoke
came out anywhere so the vacuum system appears fine. But now I am trying to
figure out the next step. The lowest compression was at cylinder #2 at 95.
The other three are at 105 to 115. I am thinking that #2 might be the
culprit.
The engine was rebuilt in 2010 using new AMC heads. Now I am reading how
they aren't very reliable. So I assume this is part of the problem. I'm
wondering what other folks experience is using AMC heads. I am guessing at
this point its either a stretched valve or one that isn't seating very well.
I guess it could also be a leak between the head and cylinder if the head
wasn't flat. Any thoughts or experience.
Anyone know if you might see the problem by removing the valve covers.
It's not the news I wanted.
Thanks for any insight.
Ken Wyatt
82 aircooled westy
slc, UT
