Date:         Wed, 8 Jul 1998 21:02:25 -0400
Reply-To:     "William A. Killian" <killian@USER2.MNSINC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "William A. Killian" <killian@USER2.MNSINC.COM>
Subject:      Need opinions on exhaust work... 86 Syncro
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
In-Reply-To:  <199807080224.WAA07726@mail1.monumental.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Okay folks I wanna poll for people's feelings.

I got an '86 Syncro last year.  The previous owner had had the engine
rebuilt and the rebuilder was a local non-VW guy.  He used the "wrong"
gaskets and hangers for the exhaust system.

Well very soon after we got the van the exhaust pipe "broke" (between the
manifold and the cat)  Got a new pipe from VW (ouch!) and gaskets.  Put
it in and quickly after that the pipe leading into the cat converter
broke.  I've been somewhat neglecting the poor van just driving it around
my farm but now its time to get it back on the road legally.

Looking at it again this evening the rear crossover pipe is broken right
before the manifold.

The van was running pretty well when I first got the van but quickly
developed a backfiring problem and really bad fuel usage (I think it was
around 15 mpg)  Does that sound like it might be the O2 sensor?  I think
the roughness and backfiring could have broken the various exhaust
pipes.  I had problems with plug wires coming off and I have new ones
(and plugs) to put in.

What do folks think I ought to replace?  Obviously the cat and rear
crossover pipe.  The other pipes seem good but then I would have said the
same about the pipes that broke - it wasn't due to rusting out badly.

(I'm on digest so I'll get replies a bit slowly)

bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
mailto:killian@zenferret.com  mailto:killian@mnsinc.com
http://www.zenferret.com/