Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:50:57 -0600
Reply-To: "Robert S.Williams, MD-laptop" <rwill@DIGITECHS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Robert S.Williams, MD-laptop" <rwill@DIGITECHS.COM>
Subject: 82 Westie cold start prob sorted
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Just an update on my 82 Aircooled Westie with "28 K original miles" *wink*
... first the tranny went bad and was replaced with a used one and a new
clutch. THEN on Thanksgiving day, as I was heading east to be with the
family for the annual feast, the beastie gave up the ghost just 2 hours
away from my final destination. I suspected something was going wrong; I
was losing power slowly and the engine was running really rough. The
previous day I took it into a shop and the mechanic there pronounced that
all it needed was some parts cleaned out and a tune up. He mentioned that
#1 cylinder was "weak" but wouldn't elaborate on what that meant. Anyway he
assured me I would be good for the trip and so I paid the $175 bill and
went merrily on my way.
So I get to Durham NC and the beastie is barely able to make it up the
hills... finally I pull over and check it out.... white smoke is blowing
steadily out of the crankcase breather tube and the engine is running
terribly rough. I didn't even have enough power to get it up the highway
off ramp ... so I call a tow truck to a nearby garage.
To make a long story short I have it towed to a Vanagon List Recommended
Mechanic in Raleigh. I leave the westie there and order an AVP rebuild. A
month later the mechanic and the new engine is ready to install and I watch
the mechanic as he singlehandedly installs the rebuild.
Now, this vehicle has had a problem with starting when cold. It would run
just fine once the engine warmed up and would restart promptly as long as
the engine was warm. I dirtied my hands and wracked my brains innumerable
times trying to find and fix the source of this rough cold starting
problem. So, Greg (the mechanic) found and fixed the problem: the previous
owner had removed the HEAD TEMPERATURE SENSOR ... and the ECU was running
as if the head was fully warm all the time.
Now the new engine is in and the vehicle starts like a dream! I won't even
mention how much this all cost me... rental cars, airfare, hotels new
engine and installation ... it was DAMN EXPENSIVE ... But, I am satisfied
with the result. AVP has been wonderful and I would highly recommend
(shameless plug):
VILLIAGE MOTOR WERKS
2120 Clark Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27605
tel: (919) 832-0899
EMAIL: VMWERKS@aol.com
This shop is a one-man-show and Greg is usually very busy. He personally
owns a 81 aircooled westie. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and
is sharp as a tack. His labor is $55/hr and his minimum is $30 if he has to
put a vehicle in his garage bay ..yet I saw him do a minor adjustment for a
fellow for free while I was there ...
Sorry about the long post but I feel that knowledge of a good honest and
sharp VW mechanic is worthwhile to all on the list. I will also ask that he
be fully described on the Vanagon Recommended Mechanics list at VANAGON.COM
because the listing just says "I spoke with this person but never actually
used him" Well, I used him and he is great. Nuff said.
Robert S. Williams, MD
KD4ZPH
