Date:         Fri, 6 Aug 1999 12:52:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn Ratjen <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Björn Ratjen <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: Syncro longevity
Comments: To: "Alan J. Flint" <ajflint@ITSA.UCSF.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.A41.3.95.990806075002.68670B-100000@itsa.ucsf.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Just a note on that topic:

My Syncro now has 278000 kms with first engine, Viscous coupling working
fine. It has had its fair share of off road experiences and when I
purchased it with 76000kms it had different size tires in front and back.
This was the first thing I changed but it shows that the drivetrain can be
quite tolerant. I am planning a major overhaul in the near future.

Björn


At 07:58 AM 06/08/99 -0700, Alan J. Flint wrote:
>Listers:
>        One more question.  Todays batch of mail included some notes on
>failure of the VC Syncro system -- as an expected event under 100,000
>miles.  I had considered the Syncro system to be quite long in life
>(200,000 miles?) and something that is rarely tampered with.  Are there a
>lot of you out there at 100,000 to 200,000 who are Syncro'ing around
>carefree?  I am looking to purchase a Syncro as I write this.  Head
>gaskets I can test and replace.  The Syncro VC is not a system I would
>look forward to repairing (or replacing).
>        Can the Syncro be grossly assessed by putting the car into gear
>while on a lift?  Should I expect the front wheels to roll in this
>situation?  Other gross tests like falling off rear jack stands are
>difficult to sell to sellers.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Alan.

Björn Ratjen, Ph.D.
Mill Bay, B.C.
phone/fax (250) 743-7575