Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 20:05:29 -0400
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results
In-Reply-To: <CAFNeVpH6isx+oZumO3JJFkn=ZN3-69bAWt3R6FXbBaz33cZi+A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
" 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
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