Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 15:38:22 -0400
Reply-To: Jackie DeVries <devries@US.IBM.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Jackie DeVries <devries@US.IBM.COM>
Subject: 84 Watercooled has exhaust pipes that are so hot they are gl
Content-Type: text/plain
Here's the story about our 1984 VW Vanagon Camper...
We bought this van with a blown motor. The motor had been rebuilt 1100 miles
previously when the fan belt went and replacing the belt didn't result in an
operable engine. So we have a receipt that shows that the rings were replaced,
both heads were rebuilt, a new clutch installed etc.
The owners son was driving it and kaboom, somthing came apart and that was it.
My husband, a mechanic by training but not a VW specialist in anyway, dropped
the motor, determined that one of the rods had let go and the piston had
bounced around, did all the usual things, the crank was cut, replaced the
pistons, plus some other stuff, also replaced the clutch because it was
seriously discolored/worn even tho supposedly it had been replaced before and
also replaced the exhaust.
That resulted in an operable vehicle which wouldn't restart after being run.
After much inconclusive diagnosis, changing the battery solved this problem.
So now we were ready to rock and roll but on a fateful morning my husband drove
it down our mountain and it somehow lurched forward, slipped out of gear and
then wouldn't shift anymore.
He dropped the tranny to see what had happened and the clutch had
disintegrated. It was replaced by the parts house, he installed it but while it
was jacked up all the power steering fluid leaked out all over the garage
floor. The leak was under the gas tank (of course) and he didn't mention what
the solution was but the camper was once again repaired in the wee hours a
couple of mornings ago (we hope to use it someday).
It was wonderful on the test drive but my husband noticed (in the darkness of
the wee hours) that the exhaust from a run down and back up the mountain was
glowing red. The temp gauge doesn't show hot, by the way. He assumed it was
running too lean and grounded the O2 sensor (per the manual) and then took it
for another run. This time there was some soot inside the tailpipe but still
the same glowing pipes.
He is worried that maybe he didn't get all the plumbing back on right, he is
pretty meticulous though, the other thing I thought I'd mention is that the
catalytic converter is punched out (i.e. empty) and I really don't want to have
to buy a new one of those...
So calling all experts, what are your suggestions?
Jackie (devries@us.ibm.com)
