Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 17:29:03 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results
In-Reply-To: <CA+r=JhpmTC9HvLZGs2zjsHZAxApttM01upU44MGCqS2TJcxkuQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
It's good to add a hydrualic lifter additive to the oil on old
waterboxer engines.
It's not just from sitting ..
it's from being goo-ed up over time.
I always put in some treatment or cleaner..
CD-2 , marvel mystery oil etc.
last caps aren't usually needed in my experience, fwiw.
On 9/8/2012 5:05 PM, Larry Alofs wrote:
> " and adding lash caps."
>
> Can someone explain about lash caps?
>
> Larry A.
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 8, 2012 at 10:56 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:
>> Hi Stuart,
>>
>> My van had low compression on one cylinder when I bought it earlier
>> this year. I took it to a mechanic (here in Vancouver) and he was
>> able to restore the compression on my engine by adjusting the valves
>> and adding lash caps. This included adjusting one to 0 lash.
>>
>> I'm not convinced my engine is well just yet. I've had a series of
>> coolant issues, possible minor head gasket leak, but not confirmed.
>> Anyway, van runs quite well, although certainly not fast, it seems to
>> have a reasonable amount of power. I did get overtaken by another
>> vanagon going up a very steep mountain hill; after that I started to
>> get engine envy/doubt again. :)
>>
>> The worst scare so far has been starting it after it sitting for a few
>> weeks. Oh the horrid tapping! A quick Google said lifters are prone
>> to draining if left sit, so I crossed my fingers and drove it for a
>> while and now it sounds fine again.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 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
|