Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 18:52:58 -0700
Reply-To: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: ** Head Leak Survey: Please Respond **
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Please Help us gather data regarding the infamous VW vanagon defective
head gaskets. The data will be subjected to statistical analysis, and
the results will be posted on the Vanagon List at Vanagon.com, and may
later be posted to a permanent website. The survey is being conducted to
help develop information for use by all vanagon owners in dealing with
this expensive desgin defect. Your participation is appreciated.
For your convenience, Karl Bloss has created a webpage Survey Form with
drop-down answers, etc., which you may complete by going to:
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/headsurvey/
Alternatively, simply hit the "Reply" button, type the appropriate
numeric response to the right of each question-line below (each line is
a separate question, except where ^^^ or ---> appear), and then simply
hit the "send" button. If you have questions, e-mail me. The info
collected will be distributed only to the Vanagon List, or to a
designated website.
The survey seeks info on when heads fail, what repairs have been used,
how successful each repair method has been, the cost of each repair,
whether coolant/water type influence head/gasket life, and whether
driving habits, climate and other factors influence head/gasket life.
There is also a section for pertinent comments. Thanks for your
participation.
_________________________________________________________________
___________ H E A D G A S K E T S U R V E Y F O R M ______
TYPE ONLY NUMERIC RESPONSES IN RIGHT-SIDE COLUMN
Year of Vehicle 83(1) 84(2) 85(3) 86(4) 87(5) 88(6) 89(7)
90(8) 91(9)
Model: not know(1) PasVan(2) Wkendr(3) Westy(4) Sync(5)
--------> Sync Wkedr(6) Sync Westy(7)
Odometer Units Miles: (1) Kilometers (2)
Current Odometer reading
Odometer Reading When Head Leaks First Appeared ("0" if no leaks)
Odometer Reading When Head Gaskets Replaced ("0" if never
replaced")
Odometer Reading When Gaskets "Failed" [Vehicle not drivable)("0"
if not apply)
^^^^^^^^^
Od. Reading when First Experienced Overheating Problems ("0" if
never)
Od. Reading When Radiator Sealant First Used ("0" if never)
^^^^^
XXX[DISCREPREWEBPAGENOENTRYHERE]XXX
Number of Times Sealant Used
Type : N/A(1) Ceramic(2) Alumaseal(3) Prestone(4) Barsleak(5)
Other(6) MIX(7)
Od. Reading When Sealant Stopped Working (separate entry for each
such event)
^^^^^^^^
Coolant Type : Phosphate (1) No Phosphate (2) VW(3) Mix(4)
Water Type: Hard Tap(1) Soft Tap(2) Distilled(3) de-ionized(4)
Coolant Change: every 6 mos.(1) yearly(2) 2 yrs(3) 3 yrs.(4),
Never(5) Unknown(6)
Average Low winter Temperature (specify F.(1) or C.(2))
Average High summer temperture (specify F.(1) or C.(2))
^^^^^^^^
Usage: Daily(1) Several time per week(2) Weekly(3) Monthly
(4)
Average mi/km per year
Driving Type: Mostly town(1) mostly highway(2) equal mix(3)
Principal Driver Style: Gentle(1) Average(2) Aggressive(3)
Short Trips of Ten Mins. or Less: Daily(1) Weekly(2)
Rarely/Never(3)
Mins. warm vehicle Up before driving in winter
Mins. warm vehicle Up before driving in warmer (+50F.) weather
^^^^^^
Heads were: Never Replaced/Repaired(1) Replaced w/rebuilts(2)
--------> Coated(3) Machined&Resurfaced(4) Left as is(5)
Heads were coated with: N/A(1) JB Weld (2) ceramic (3)
---------> Other ___________(4)
What was the TOTAL (approx.) cost to repair/replace/coat leaky
heads
How Many mi/km now on the coated heads.
Have you ever had the gaskets fail with coated heads Y(1) N(2)
Have you ever had head gaskets leak with coated heads Y(1)N(2).
Type of coating where gaskets leaked or failed: N/A(1) JB
Weld(2)
---------> Ceramic(3) Pure Alumnium (e.g. Boston)(4) Other
_________(5)
How many mi./km before coated heads leaked/failed.
^^^^^^^
If your gaskets failed/leaked, did you install a rebuilt engine
Y(1)N(2)
What was the TOTAL cost to install the rebuilt engine, incl.
labor.
How many miles now on rebuilt engine
How many mi./km. before rebuilt engine heads leaked ("0" if
never).
How many mi./km before rebuilt engine head gaskets failed
Have you ever checked your ground wires: Yes (1) No (2)
Have you ever found that your ground wires required
cleaning/mait. Y(1) N(2)
Have You Augmented the Ground Wires at Engine/Head/Frame: Yes
(1) no (2)
Does your van have rust: None(1) very light(2) light(3)
moderate(4) heavy(5)
Is the van garage Kept: Yes (1) No (2)
COMMENTS :
[text/html]
