To be completely objective about this it would seem that a secondary and somewhat parallel survey should be done. That being the driving habits of the owners of the engines under consideration. Quite often these things tend to be inversely proportional to each other. Or stated otherwise "What you put in effects what you get out." Give two kids identical toys and one will last less than a day and the next will last a lifetime. See ya later.

Janette & Dick Smith 85 Westfalia--Sally Ann Norwich, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 10:32 AM Subject: Waterboxer rebuild survey Update! (more data please!)

> Thanks for all the folks who have participated in the waterboxer rebuild > survey so far around 19 people! > > Longest rebuild life so far is a tie between GEX and a guy in Tennessee that > rebuilt his engine himself. Both have 40k miles on them. > > Cheapest rebuild: Guy in Tennessee at $650! > > Most expensive rebuild: $7,000 at VW dealer > > Several rebuilds have failed at one month or even earlier but most of these > were covered under warranty of some sort. > > I know there is someone out there with a rebuild for longer than 40k miles. > Please pmail me with your tale of joy or woe so that I can add to the > database and also get a better sampling of the expected life of a rebuild > waterboxer. > > On a side note, many folks have stated that we can't draw any conclusions as > to the reliability of engine conversions (4, 5-cylinder, Subaru, etc) until > some have gone the distance milage wise. They say the most reliable option > has got to be putting a rebuilt waterboxer back in the van. Well I say how > you can prove the reliability of a rebuilt waterboxer when the most mileage > on one is only 40k miles? I am sure there are folks out there with I-4 > cylinder conversions with more time on them than that! > > I am hoping that after this survey is done that folks will have a better idea > of just how trouble free and reliable a rebuilt waterboxer is and that they > can use this factual information to make a decision on what to do when thier > engine decides it is time for retirement. > > Ken Wilford > Van-Again > John 3:16 > PS here is the info I need again: > 1. Year of van and displacement of engine (1.9 or 2.1) > 2. Who did the rebuild? > 3. Time since rebuild? > 4. Mileage since rebuild (in miles if possible) > 5. Any problems since rebuild (this includes total failure of the motor and > replacement under warranty)? > 6. Cost of rebuild (in US dollars please if not please specify)? >