Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 12:43:16 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results-busaid inying used vans!
In-Reply-To: <042201cd8de1$88c48170$9a4d8450$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Maggie Dew follows this list, I believe. Maybe she will respond. They live in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and use the same mechanic I do, Darrell Cook in Norman, Oklahoma. The RoadHaus has a Subaru engine in it now. mcneely
---- Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I was following Larry's posts back then and his $3500 2.2 waterboxer blew up at 18,000 miles: http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0310B&L=vanagon&P=R7057&m=230908 After multiple failures he went to 2.1 pistons with no better luck: 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
--
David McNeely
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