Date:         Thu, 14 Jan 1999 09:25:21 +0100
Reply-To:     Helmut Zeidler <Helmut_Zeidler@NOTESMAIL.NOKIA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Helmut Zeidler <Helmut_Zeidler@NOTESMAIL.NOKIA.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: how much interest IS there in the 5cyl conversion???
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Detlev and some others wrote:

>I read your E-Mail letter and you are right US $ 7200
>a lot of money.
>But ------ our kit starts with US$2700 and a good used
>donor car for approx. US$ 500,what means some expenses
>from US $3200.And as you know this Audi engine will not die.
>Than when you hire a good mechanic he will be able to put the kit
>with the engine in your Vanagon in ten hour .We charge flat US $ 1000.
There is always the statement, that the Audi 5 cylinder
will never die. I will give you some experiences I had
with my engine up to now:

I got the engine (WC code, no turbo, no cat, CIS, built in '82)
with 200.000 km on the clock, very much, I agree.

1) I got wrong air into the intake system, turns out, sealings
of the injectors were dried out and had to be replaced.

2) Blue smoke while slowing down on the engine, turns out,
weared piston rings, 300 USD parts replacement. I changed
connection rod bearings at piston and crankshaft side, too,
was one job.

3) At present I get oil spots at the rear hatch again. Found
a leaking seal at the crankshaft bearing, pulley side. I will
change it when the weather gets warmer.

4) I still have problems with the fuel pressure at low levels
in fuel tank and high engine revolutions. This is because of
my gasoline tank designed for carburated boxers, the fuel
outlet is too narrow. I will add a second fuel line from
the return side.
I recommend, not to use the Vanagon fuel pump (3.8 bar).
The pressure on the Audi pump is higher, 6.5 bar. But engine will
work with the Vangon's pump, too, as I heard.

5) On hot weather I got fuel bubbles in the injector lines
at the first weeks after the swap. I hadn't this problem last
year, we had a cold summer in Germany. Before summer I will
add a fan to cool down the injector lines, if needed.

So far, I'm still happy with the engine.

Helmut
'80 Vanagaudi