Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 03:21:55 -0400
Reply-To: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Oil leaks!!!!
In-Reply-To: <000701beffec$dfebf460$1b04acd1@lawscomputer>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Im no mechanic but if both sides are leaking the first thing I would
check is the torque of the head nuts. If the van was not running when you
bought it maby the PO started a job then, changing his mind, just threw the
thing back togeather. If they are loose then tightening to proper specs may
do the trick, If not then you may as well pull the heads so you can use
standard tubes instead of those spring loaded ones. This will mean new head
gaskets but, Vanagons being what they are, you are going to be doing that
sooner or later anyway.
If you do pull the heads, unless the tubes themselves are bad you dont
need new tubes. Your gasket sets should have new tube seals in there. Just
be gentle streching out the old tubes. If you get too rough they will split
around the "accordion" area. There is a diagram in the Bentley that will
show you how long they should be before instalation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of LAWS HOME
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 10:41 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil leaks!!!!
No, I'm not shocked. I just got my '84 Vanagon running (they're cheaper if
you buy them non-running,$600 ) Anyway I noticed that there was a leak near
the engine comp. upon inspection I noticed that it was in fact oil. Looking
closer I saw that it was the push rod tubes, I guess 5 years is too long to
sit in one place. I'm assuming that the seals are rotted out.
At first I thought it was just one, so I bought one of those spring loaded
replacement tubes. When I got home I looked closer, it's leaking on BOTH
side of the engine. I'm thinking they all need to be replaced. What is the
list consenses? Do I pull the heads and replace them all? would I be
tempting fate by removing the heads? If I buy all spring loaded tubes, the
repair will cost me $400.00. I believe the bus depot has the gasket sets for
about 60-70 dollars per side. plus tubes I guess! What would YOU do with a
waterboxer? ( Don't tell me to do an engine swap, I'm too busy with rabbit
diesels right now!) Thanks for any advice! :) Tom
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