Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 10:08:01 -0700
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results-busaid inying used vans!
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds3C0E725CACDC3906B39F8A0AD0@phx.gbl>
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So the WBX isn't that much, or at all, different than most engines.
Good piece of mind to know.
I'd rather see some use from this engine. Clearly I have lots more to
learn about it, but at the very least what I've done has improved it.
I have no idea who did what work to it, but for sure a head was
replaced. (says AMC on it. Thanks Scott for that tip). Hopefully they
did that job and other work correctly.
Of course driving any engine with a bad noise or similar is not my MO,
but if I had to do so, chances are i could limp it at least to a main
road for AAA help.
An oil pressure gauge install is imminent.
For a person in my position however, (as with Stuart too?) the gamble
is being too far away from home if something dire happened to the
engine. At that point, my best hope would be a used engine install to
get me home so I could start my engine swap work.
Neil.
On Sun, Sep 9, 2012 at 8:15 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> You would be surprised at the engines noises I have heard over the years in
> vehicles driven to me. Often as the noises begin even with oil pressure
> lights flickering many folks are either ignorant or in denial.
>
> Engines really exist in two varieties, healthy or not! Failures rarely occur
> without cause or warning. On most engines valve wear, seating, guides and
> cylinder head sealing are the weak links that often require attention. Many
> engines with coolant carrying intake manifolds also suffer from leaks of
> coolant into the intake path and the combustion are next. Engine failures
> after some period of good operation are almost always the result of a
> support system failure or abuse. Fuel and ignition systems are support
> systems and improper set up of either can be a recipe for failure. Extended
> lugging of the engine will always help to create those melted pistons and
> nasty burned valves even with coolant temperature staying normal. Loss of
> oil pressure film etc. will help to throw those rods. This is the real
> Waterboxer weak link, especially on the 2.1. That's why they added that oil
> cooler. The stretch bolts are not the problem.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> neil n
> Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 5:27 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results-busaid inying used vans!
> ...... if I drive my WBX til it really showed
> it's age, and it popped a rod, from what I've read, the
> "gotcha" is that when it pops, it stops.
--
Neil n
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