Date:         Sun, 7 Sep 1997 22:48:52 -0500
Reply-To:     chris smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         chris smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.COM>
Subject:      Re: 81 Camper...another newbie question: max safe cruising speed
Comments: To: "Michael D. Landis" <mlandis@WATERVALLEY.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 02:22 PM 9/7/97 -0600, you wrote:
>How fast can you drive an air-cooled Vanagon for extended periods without
>unduly stressing the engine? Mine winds out at about 78-80 mph on the flat.
>My normal highway cruising speed in a normal car is around 72 or so, but
>that's pretty close to the VW's top end. I've read that driving the diesels
>at that speed is definitely abuse and will dramatically shorten the engine
>life; should I be similarly concerned about my 2-liter?
This answer will undoubtedly be countermanded is short notice but having
said that...

I drive a '82 Westy with over 180k on the clock.  The original owner put
150k on the factory engine driving around 70mph every day.  The
speed/stress factor isn't what contributed to the engine's long (for an
air-cooled) life, but his attention to detail.  Details such as, religious
oil changes, keeping ALL the little air block parts in good shape (I have
found 6 receipts for oil sender seals so far), never pushing the motor to
get up to 70 quickly, and the list goes on.

I have driven a bug motor to 125k myself driving 75+ most days.  If I had
been a little more careful with it, it would probably still be running now.

Good Luck
Chris
'82 Westy (the escape pod)
'74 Thing (thingy 1)