Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 16:19:16 -0700
Reply-To: Tim King <tking_ms@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tim King <tking_ms@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Minor tales of woe/new dead westy (long)
Hey All --
A couple of weeks ago I bought a syncro westy in Colorado. I purchased the
vehicle with an engine swap in mind, and considered transporting it to
Seattle. Instead, I opted for adventure and attempted to drive it part way
home to meet up with a friend, then I'd then have it hauled to Seattle.
About 200 miles into the trip, I began hearing an exhaust leak. Turns out
one of the exhaust studs was either broken or missing. Closest town was
Cheyenne, Wy so I kept driving. After much hassle, I was unable to get
studs/gaskets and decided to drive with the exhaust leak. Another couple
hours later, the crossover pipe decides to leave the van. The van got LOUD,
but was still running -- considering that I was crossing the Continental
Divide, it was actually cooking along pretty good (55-65mph). A few more
hours of LOUD driving, then... some VERY LOUD coughs...hacks...sputters... I
pull off the highway. The westy is still running, but very poorly, lots of
black smoke, and VERY LOUD. Looks like the connector pipe studs (all but
one) let go. and now both sides of the heads are venting upstream of the
cat/muffler and o2 sensor without any back pressure. Luckily this took place
a mere 1/4 past the only exit for about 20 miles. I manage to back down the
on ramp -- vehicle only has enough power to move in reverse and the g-gear.
I come to rest at the friendly Jolly Jack's fireworks store (SALE! all
fireworks 2-for1!) in lovely Point of Rocks, Wy. Bob at the fireworks store
was quite nice, letting me camp out in his lot for the evening, then letting
me keep my van there for a week while I arranged to have it shipped home. If
you are ever in Point of Rocks, stop in and see Bob. He's a good guy and
besides, he's got tons of awesome fireworks.
I spent a sleepless night in my comfortable new westy listening to train
whistles and semi-trucks. In the morning, I surveyed the situation:
1. Van won't start. Starter won't even click. Battery seems to be holding a
charge (note: new starter in the past couple years).
2. Oil level and cleanliness fine.(I had changed to Mobil 1 15-50 and
factory filter before I left).
3. No obvious exit holes in motor.
4. Crossover pipe is trashed (about 90 percent missing). Right side studs
_fell_ out of head, didn't break (Note: VW dealer done heads within the
last 7k miles)
5. gear oil (I think) is leaking from in between motor and tranny). Further,
at least one bolt that holds the two together is missing. Did this vibrate
off? (side note: vehicle had a clutch within the last thousand miles).
6. right side head exhaust port looks very sooty.
7. Oil pressure light blinks when I turn key on (is this normal?)
8. Brake light was "on" when vehicle died.
No U-hauls available within 500 miles, so that afternoon, my sister-in-law
rescued me, took me to the Idaho Fall airport and I flew home. I spent the
past week+arranging for vehicle transport (I'll post some thoughts on
vehicle transport options in a separate post) and then waiting for the van
arrive. It arrived Tuesday and now I'm dying to get it up and running, so I
can spend my free time thinking about fun stuff like motor options, heaters,
seam rust and stereos.
So, here are my questions/thoughts/plans:
I'm thinking the van won't run (assuming the starter worked) because of the
lack of exhaust back pressure (essentially none). Remember, it was still
running until I shut it off). Worst case (I hope) is that I sucked a valve?
Any thoughts? I plan to replace the crossover pipe, gaskets and studs, and
take it from there.
Starter: Maybe got too hot from all the exhaust gases and got cooked? Maybe
a wiring harness got fried (not as far as I can tell). Anyone have any
tests?
Any thoughts on gear oil/tranny. It _seemed_ to be running/shifting fine
(though the linkage was a little sloppy/rattley (is that a word?).
Brake light: Brake lines got too hot? Plan to flush system and inspect lines
(replace as necessary).
Any other thoughts? Again, keep in mind that I purchased this with the
intent of an engine swap -- I realize it was hard on the vehicle to drive it
in this condition, but at the same time, I didn't really feel like spending
a weekend in Wyoming, _hoping_ I could get parts/service Monday morning. At
this point, I'd love to get it running, _then_ investigate engine swap
possibilities.
Thanks,
Tim
Seattle, WA
87 Syncro Westy (Hmmm, how's Jolly sound for a name?)
PS -- thanks again to Bob at Jolly Jacks. He was literally the _only_ nice
person I met in Wyoming. Most others basically treated me with a "you bought
a foreign car and got what you deserved" attitude.
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