Date:         Fri, 2 Jul 1999 09:34:58 -0400
Reply-To:     "Forhan, Thomas" <Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Forhan, Thomas" <Thomas.Forhan@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Subject:      Kablooie!

Well, my 83.5  9 pax blew up yesterday afternoon, while my wife was driving.
Haven't even seen it 'cause it got towed to my mechanic, but she reported a
"shot like a rifle", engine stopped immediately and would no longer turn
over.

I am assuming the worst. My choices seem to be:

1)      replace gaskets (and heads?) on the barely running 1.9 that came
with the car
2)      get a rebuilt- AVP doesn't seem so hot based on other reports, so do
I have to wait for a genuine VW...anybody got an engine from the place in
Boston
3)      Fastforward or similar with an 88-92 Audi 80 2.0l engine.
4)      Audi 5 is admittedly an option, but seems like overkill for a nice
simple van with no air, no power steering, indeed, no power nothing.
5)      Breakdown and put a TDI in the Syncro Westie, and swap its 2.1 into
the 9 pax.

We really like this van, and will keep it for some years. If I go inline, I
think I'll miss the lopey idle and the unique waterboxer sound....

Comments, suggestions, items for sale, services offered? Please e-mail
direct as I'm going off the list later today for a week while off on trip
for my job.

Thanks

Tom Forhan