Date:         Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:20:45 +0200
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Meier Michael <Michael.Meier@bwg1.erl1.siemens.de>
Subject:      zu: Engine life


Steve and Jo Ann Wacker wrote:

>I have always felt that if I got 100k from a vehicle that 
>it didn't "owe" me anything. Now I have heard
>that in the last few years the quality of vehicles has 
>improved greatly and we can expect more, but my Syncro is 
>11 years old, original engine, 184k. 

hey steve and jo ann,
thats exactly what I think. my 58 westy ist still running 
and a brave old car, but- 5th engine (four of them were 
used ones) and 3rd gearbox (and only 122 k KM). and 
everybody tells me what a great car it is. har har har. i 
know a man in berlin, who has got his 66 westy since 30 
years and 300kKM (200kmls) but with engine no. 3 (all brand 
new).
and nearly every 1.9 or 2.1 l that i have heard about did 
150kKMs without big problems-when the right volkswagens 
coolant was used and regulary changed. and the 
mitsuyota-bus of my collegue did the same 150kKMs - and 
then the head had two big cracks...

our experience with these waterboxers is: they are 
wonderful engines for good 100kmls (under german 
circumstances) and once they get any head-problems there is 
exactly one way to repair: original volkswagen exchange 
engine (factory rebuild). expensive, ok (about ca. 2200 
us$) but then youve got another trouble-free 100kmls.
its the same with the gear-boxes, exept autos.

i think, the problem is, that most people expect a car, 
that is 50times more comfortable and easier and nicer to go 
in than the "good old aircooled"  but wont understand, that 
this all has to be payed for with more technic. no, a 
engine overhaul cant be done for a fiver in uncle bens 
garage on a lazy saturdays evening. 
but go back again in a split-bus for a 300mls day-trip and 
you know what for.

please excuse my terrible english.
best wishes from wolfsburg
michael meier
58 westy
77 westy
looking for a good 90 dehler-profi


p.s. this is my private opinion and has nothing to do with 
siemens company