Date:         Tue, 7 Sep 1999 18:58:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Dana E Hager <dehager@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dana E Hager <dehager@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Re: rebuild survey! (more data please!)
Comments: cc: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have a 1984 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg that I purchased from the original
owner with 84,000mi. He never had any engine work done on it and used
regular coolant. At around 160,000mi. it developed a leaky left side
water jacket gasket. Being my only car at the time, I called around
trying to locate gaskets to make the repair. I pulled the head and found
a fair amount of pitting and slightly warped head. Not wanting to have a
lot of down time (and I was broke), I had a shop shave a little off to
clean up the metal but not too much because there was not anyone local
to fly cut the cylinder holes to compensate for the shaved head.
Well...I cleaned it all up slapped it all together with only new gaskets
and the black German goop and hoped for the best. I now have FOUR years
and 240,000mi. on the van and no leaks. Yes it's true, 240,000mi.,
regular coolant and the right side has not leaked (it will now)!

Now this must be a rare case because I never knew any of this great
Vanagon knowledge stuff until I joined the list early this year. I just
ran the hell out of this van.

I still own it and drive it. Still runs strong, more power than my 87
Westy Syncro.

Dana E Hager
Nazareth, PA

87 Westy Syncro
84 Vanagon GL

Anyone wanna buy it???

____________________________________________________________
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)?