Date:         Sun, 22 Nov 1998 21:10:36 -0800
Reply-To:     YauMan Chan <YAUMAN@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         YauMan Chan <YAUMAN@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject:      My Vanagon: Trouble in Paradise ?
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

This weekend, I did my annual major tune up on my 87 GL.  (I'm the original owner with 135000 "original" miles!)  In addition to all the standard items like oil filter, air filter, rotor, dist, spark plug etc, I also replaced all my belts and the spark plug wires.  I realized that the wires and all 3 belts were originals - I guess with 11 years and 135K miles, I got my money's worth.  Ordered all my tune-up stuff, belts and wires from Bus Depot.  This is the first time I used their web site and online order.. worked out quite well.. total came to less than $150. Use their EFT and took only a week for the shipment with no special shipping requested.  All high quality stuff.. Mann filters, Bosche electrical all the way and Continetal belts. Only disappointment was the spark plugs were not platinum.. but I didn't ask!  I refilled with 10W30 Mobil One.. No leaks.  I have, however, 3 potential problems and I am soliciting advise and comments.
Problem A. Cylinder compesssion reads 1-115, 2-150, 3-135, 4-155.  This wide margin between cyl. 1 at 115psi and cyl 4 at 155psi seem too much.  Is this considered within the norm for this engine?  I somehow remembers that 10% deviation among cylinders is the limit of tolerance.  115psi to 155psi spread is way high imho or am I just paranoid?
Problem B. When I took the timing reading, I notice that the timing marker at idle wobbles + or - at least 3 degrees.  With the idle speed rock solid, the timing mark jumps around.  Am I looking at potential problems?  Is my distributor gears wearing out? Or my distrib. advance mechanism going spooky?  I did not remember this happening in my last turn up.  
Problem C. The exhaust system is a mess.. lots and lots of pin holes in the muffler, cross flow pipes etc.. Again, these are all original.  Is there some acid built up on the fuel combustion that is pickling the exhaust system?  It has never failed a smog test yet.  I guess my next big purchase will be the whole exhaust.  In my past experience with my Audi and Rabbits, only the muffler fails.. usually the ends & flanges rust off.  This van has always been in California and thus never been salted.  Any ideas what's causing all the pin holes. MTBE?

As usually, all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Yau-Man Chan
87 GL