Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 08:04:03 -0400
Reply-To: george jannini <georgejoann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: george jannini <georgejoann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: I-4 owner experrience
In-Reply-To: <22250630.314021.1368496134874.JavaMail.root@vznit170190>
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No bashing, just putting my personal story out there. It was lots of
fun while it lasted, but 90K miles isn't much to brag about, given the fact
that the WBX that preceded it had a tad over 164,000 miles on it and wasn't
even broken when I finally had had it with multiple cooling system issues.
The current engine is a used I4 Jetta unit, scored and installed in
Almonte, Ontario. This engine had 112,000 miles on it at the time it was
installed and has been driven an average of 12,000 miles for the past three
years.
Last year, on a trip (naturally) it experienced a crankcase breather
failure that resulted in blown out oil seals. I added oil as necessary and
pressed on regardless (Western NY to Salem VA )until I could have it taken
care of at Salem Imports, your one stop shop for all your VW, social, and
beekeeping expertise.
Maybe this motor is bulletproof. I surely wish that I could say the
same about the 091 transmission.
G.
On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 9:48 PM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>wrote:
> I also had one of the Tiico power plants. It was my first foray into
> something back there that wasn't a waterboxer. Was it as smooth as a
> waterboxer? No. But it was the last time I did a head gasket. I got one
> of the early imports and Peter and I made some improvements and adjustments
> over about 160K. I went down the muffler path also. All in all though,
> it had lots more power. Hills (up) were not something I had to plan for as
> much. MPG was better. I didn't have to worry when I went over 72 mph,
> as a matter of fact, I didn't have to worry about getting to 72 mphand/or holding it there. A pleasant experience for this old
> waterboxer guy. Let's not forget, it was what VW SA did to replace the
> old, unreliable waterboxer before they raised the deck and put in a 5
> cylinder. I get kind of tired of hearing the Tiico's bashed too, Bill.
> It was. and is. a great first foray into a VW I4 that fit into a
> Vanagon hole. Thanks for speaking up.
>
> Dave B.
>
>
> On 05/13/13, WILLIAM WITZ<pbwitz@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> I need to speak up and tell you folks that all Tiicos are not bad. I do
> not have
> a vibration problem. I am not using oil. The engine does not overheat. it
> has
> smooth power curve and all the power I need. It will get 22mpg if I keep at
> 55mph that with a 4 speed and 14" tires. I did have to replace the oil pan
> gasket and the valve cover gasket. The original exhaust header broke and
> had to
> replaced do to no reinforcements on pipes also I have replaced two
> mufflers. We
> have 80k on engine using Mobile one 15-50. All in all I am a happy camper
> so
> far. If this is just a fluke or good karma or as someone once said plain
> old
> luck I will take it and be grateful to what ever gods their may be.
>
> Bill Witz 84 Westy
> P.S. keep on truck-en in your own lane.
>
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