Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 15:00:19 -0500
Reply-To: Henry Luhrs <Henry.Luhrs@NMR.BRUKER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Henry Luhrs <Henry.Luhrs@NMR.BRUKER.COM>
Organization: Bruker Instruments Inc.
Subject: Re: Wasserboxer (was: I drove it! (engine swap info)5Cyl.)
In-Reply-To: <s6c02b30.065@prv-mail20.provo.novell.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
As a resident of New England, with only a few long steep grades, I
have to agree with Dave. My 87 Syncro has been really
comfortable, reliable, and smooth (especially on long trips) and I
have only had one major problem (the usual head gasket leak) in
ten years. I guess it could do with a bit more power, but no-one
has mentioned how the in line four cylinder engines are for
smoothness. I know that my wife's 85Jetta GLI is fine till about 70
to 75 in fifth when it gets pretty buzzy. The opposed 4 layout is
quite a bit smoother. I will admit that the jetta motor (1.8 liter 100
HP in line four) is still going strong at 300K miles without ever
being apart though.
As I said, the only major problem with my waterboxer has been the
one head gasket job at 85K miles (which VW paid for under their
usual super secret special warranty). Now with 180 K and the right
head dripping a bit on colder nights I am facing the same question.
Should I re-do the heads again, or change to a new kind of engine.
The option of getting a different vehicle hasn't even been considered
and won't unless VW imports the syncro TDI eurovan with a
manual transmission. I drove one on a recent business trip to
Germany and that is the only van that I would consider to replace
my Syncro Vanagon.
Does anyone know how expensive the German larger displacement
water boxer kits are? That could be a decent option if they aren't
priced out of range.
Henry
> Yeah, and on some of the steeper grades here in the Mountain West a wb-equipped vanagon is great because you can do things like have your spouse drive the van while you jog up ahead for exercise. And you notice things you never would have with a more powerful engine, like the subtle color
variations in the road signs. Did you know that the text of a lot of those signs is composed of a series of reflective dots?
>
> I'm not looking for an "overpowered van", but if I didn't have to downshift so often I'd be satisfied. However, if I drove mostly on flat terrain I think my current engine would be fine.
>
> Curtis Graham
> 85GL
> Orem Utah
>
> >>> Dave <dave@V-DUB.MUSA.COM> 02/09/99 11:31AM >>>
> I don't see what the fuss is, my Vanagon has plenty of power for a VW
> bus. I think the wasserboxer is a great engine for the Vanagon, it
> cruses fine all day near the redline and doesn't complain. I drove mine
> from Boulder, CO to St. Louis, MO only stopping for gas, that was about
> 13 hours at apx. 70 to 90mph. I think it was about 940 miles, what ever
> it was I had no problems what so ever, except I don't have cruse
> control. On the same note I drove my Fox on the same route at apx. the
> same speed, maybe a little slower, with a lot less comfort, not to
> mention the annoying buzz of an inline 4. I'd never put an inline 4 in
> my van, if anything an inline 5 at least has an interesting exhaust
> note. If you want an overpowered van why are you driving a Vanagon?
> You'd get off a lot cheaper buying just about anything else.
>
> David Filcoff dave@v-dub.musa.com
> Volkswagens! http://v-dub.musa.com
> ------------------------------------------------------
> 87 Vanagon, 88 Fox
> ------------------------------------------------------
> St. Louis / Columbia, MO
> LiMBO - Gateway VW Club - VWoA VW Club - Missouri Micros
>
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Henry Luhrs (MA)
Henry.Luhrs@nmr.bruker.com
78 Bus - Big Blue (240 K Miles)
85 Jetta GLI (Wife's) (310 K Miles)
87 Syncro - Big Red (180 K Miles)
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