Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 13:10:38 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Considering an engine swap for the past decade,
but WBX just keeps going
In-Reply-To: <CAB2RwfiY4zfu4H543h6HbY78iq+PwDkttQBdT0NEnZPN7=EBrA@mail.gmail.com>
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Yes the water boxer is miss understood. Poor service in the automotive world is not Vanagon specific. Hydraulic lifters are also not unique to this engine nor are their limitations and sometimes quirky behavior. What does make this vehicle-engine combination is the number of folks that buy them and try to become self-service combined with the number of service providers earning while learning that may not even have experience in general. In the automotive service world the technicians that have had any level of formal mechanical or electrical training is a small percentage and most rely on peer training and repeat experience.
The operating processes of the water boxer are common with engines of that time period. The cooling system is a bit complicated but not that unique. The constant coolant flow in the engine and the mixing operation of the thermostat are common in the VW/Porsche/Audi line up. The Vanagon is not unique in having the cooling system that needs to purged of air after a major refill.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil N
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 3:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Considering an engine swap for the past decade, but WBX just keeps going
What I'm learning is that the WBX may still be a misunderstood engine.
i.e. the hydraulic lifters. It was interesting to read more of these at the ratwell website here:
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html Of particular interest to me:
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html#2bornot2b
As a new to WBX owner, I too have been assuming that the valves are adjusted correctly. But how does one know for sure? In my case, one head appears may have been replaced. Maybe the whole engine is a used engine replacement? Most owners-mechanics have good intentions but even given all the internet conversations over how many turns are required at the rocker arm screw, who knows if something as "simple"
as the valve adjustment, has been done right?
Looking further into rebuilds, it seems just finding good case halves could be a challenge.
Neil.
On 11/26/14, PSD <psdooley@verizon.net> wrote:
>.... But
> it does seem to be a pretty good runner if you maintain it.
--
Neil n
Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
