Date:         Sat, 23 May 1998 14:25:30 -0700
Reply-To:     gene@IPAC.CALTECH.EDU
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gene Kopan <gene@IPAC.CALTECH.EDU>
Subject:      wasserboxer rebuild advice
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com

Hello,
        I recently bought my 3rd Westy, an 87 Vanagon. I went to the moon &
half way back with my 65 & 77 combined. My 'new' Westy may need a rebuild,
& I would appreciate some advice.

        Here are the specifics, good part first:

        - It runs like a clock, temp gauge always less than half way up.
        - In the ~2K I've put on it so far, it has used ~1/2 qt oil &
          the coolant has fluctuated between max & min in the overflow
          tank, but no apparent loss (& the expansion tank is always full).
        - The compression is 3x120, 1x125.
        but:
        - It has almost 160K on the odom.
        - The coolant is green, probably a bad sign.
        - It sometimes smells like a steam iron when warm.
        - VW dealer said it needed a head job, was leaking. I can see some
         evidence of drip deposits at one corner of the head. They quoted
         me $2200, including new heads. I asked them to flush & refill the
         coolant, but they said they were afraid the corrosion was the only
         thing plugging the leaks.

        Since it has 160K, it might be smart to put in a long block (& probably
a clutch) instead of a head job. I want to keep  it a while & I need it for
some trips this summer (including Grand Canyon from LA across the dessert).
I see the following options:

        1) Flush & refill with Autobahn coolant, & see what happens.
        2) Have VW put in a long block, probably 3-3.5K$.
        3) Have some local shop (Pasadena) put in an AVP rebuilt (sounds
        like a good bet from the list archives).
        4) Just do the head gaskets +?.

        Any advice would be appreciated, also recommendations for a good
Pasadena shop for 3).

thanks, gene kopan