http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0405A&L=vanagon&P=R10386 I quit searching the archives after this post. Anyone know how Larry is doing these days?
I'm done with the WBX, it isn't designed for continuous duty.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 6:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results-busaid inying used vans!
How many of us, except for those who are able to do all the work on their vans themselves, don't have a $20k (or more) van? Wife and I now call ours the $1M van. Even those who do the work themselves, if they put in one of the engines sold by rebuilders, end up with a figure something like you mentioned. Take a look at Larry's RoadHaus van payout, and that was 10 years ago and doesn't include maintenance since. mcneely
---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> As I have said in the past the most important part of purchasing a
> used vehicle is to find out why it is/was for sale. For some reason
> the past/current owner no longer wants it!
>
> Since you only had this a few months you now know one reason. I doubt
> this "just" happened. Depending on what you paid and how you go about
> the conversion and then all the other stuff to follow you too may soon
> have that $20K Camper.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 10:52 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Low compression, more test results
>
> Well, for those who have been following by email thread about making
> the mistake of checking compression on my 140k mile original engine
> (90-150-100-130) I’ve done some more tests.
>
>
>
> 1. Valves were zero lash or 1 turn in, no valve noise, timing dead on
>
> 2. Manifold vacuum is 12” Hg with ±1” tick (should be steady 17-21)
>
> 3. No detectable vacuum leaks (propane test), all vacuum hoses new.
>
> 4. 22% leak down on #1, could hear leakage all three places, but
> exhaust and intake were louder than the dipstick, with the exhaust
> being the worst. (Should have used the decibel meter on my iPhone,
> but I didn’t want to get it greasy ;-) ). Didn’t bother testing the others after this result.
>
> 5. Does not burn oil (in 1000 miles at least) Plugs that came in it
> were clean.
>
> 6. PO installed reman AFM recently
>
> 7. Idles smooth (as any of them anyway), runs well, no coolant leaks,
> but has poor acceleration and poor gas mileage (~15 mpg highway).
>
>
>
> Looks like it’s got some leaking valves. No surprise this rig is worn
> out, I assumed it was, but I could drive it home at least. I hope I
> can get a few thousand more miles out of it so I can save some dough for a conversion!
>
>
>
> Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but never for long. I waited until
> after my planned summer trips to check the engine condition, so I was
> blissfully ignorant on purpose. I’m still planning a couple of fall
> trips nearby though. What the hell, I’ve got AAA premier.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
> ’85 Westy, purchased in May
--
David McNeely