Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 17:16:36 EST
Reply-To: WEIRSTEF@CS.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stefan Weir <WEIRSTEF@CS.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 Diesel Seized Up HELP
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Andy,
About six months ago I bought a Diesel ('82) that had been sitting for 2
years. It ran fine at first, but about 8 miles outside of town the day I
finally drove it again, it threw a rod and was seized. Diesel engines I
don't believe are any more prone to locking up than any other engine WHEN
they are properly maintained. That's just the problem, If you don't want to
check your oil at least once a week, then don't own a diesel (Or a VW for
that matter). Another reason that these are prone to be problematic is that
they do not have hydraulic lifters. This means he either needs to learn to
adjust them himself or plan on taking the van in every 15,000 or even a
little less to get them properly adjusted. An option you may want to inform
him about is using a diesel from a Jetta *('85 or later). These motors have
hydraulic lifters and can be had pretty cheap. I bought mine for $400 w/ 80k
from the mechanic who had worked on it for the last 8 years. (the car was
t-boned). Total damage after the install, prep, everything else wa only
$1300. Pretty cheap as far as engines are concerned. I am very happy with
the performance. It is quieter, runs smoother and has a miniscule amount of
more power. I think 52 or 53 instead of 48.
You might also get him to go to this website if he has other questions
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw
Best of luck and Don't let anyone tell you that the Diesel is less reliable
than a gas engine. It simply isn';t true.
Stefan Weir
'82 Diesel Stefalia (camperized in my driveway/garage)
'82 Gas Caddy
'92 GTI 8v
In a message dated 12/15/99 11:48:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,
easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM writes:
<< A shipmate of mine just purchased a country home I think thats the name of
the conversion. He picked it up in Lake tohoe and started to drive down home
to Southern Cal. About 200 miles into the trip the engine locked up. He had
it towed to a garage and the mechenaic said that always happens to the diesel
engine vanagons and offered to take it off his hands for $200.00. My buddy
called me up and was at the point to do this but I convinced him that he
would lose all the money he put into buying it. After 250 dollars of renting
a trailer and truck from u haul he brought it home. The vanagon overall is
staight with minor dents hiding underneath the bra and no rust. He is
thinking about taking the diesel out of his rabbit that is running find but
has about 150 thousand miles on it. I told him before taking the engine out
of the rabbit inspect the vanagons engine to see what the problem is. Is this
something that happens quite often w/diesels. By the way the owner supposely
replaced the head and renewed the oil. He confirmed that the oil was clean
and the filter was new. Is there anyone out there that can help him locate a
good bargain on an engine and get him back on track. He was determined to
get a Westy after he saw the one I just finished putting together.
Andy
82 Westy
>>
| 
