Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: 1985 Vanagon - Replacing Engine
From:Karl F. Bloss
Date:Mon, 28 Feb 2000 15:32:22 -0500

Lauren,

Is your ECU under the back seat or in the engine compartment?  If it's under
the seat, you have a Digifant 2.1, but I doubt that's the case.

I'm going up to Boston Engine (http://www.bostonengine.com) this weekend to
trade a core engine (2.1) for a new one and will be taking some pictures of the
shop, etc.  Bob Donalds has an excellent reputation as a rebuilder and
frequently has tech articles in the LiMBO Transporter.  A 2.1 rebuild is $1950
plus your core engine, but you'll have to ask him about the 1.9s.

-Karl

> Hi, all!
> I've been told my '85 has either a cracked block or a blown head gasket.
> It blows white smoke and loses both oil (from below) and coolant (from
> above) when it runs.
>
> Anyway, I'm thinking I'll go the whole 9 and get a new engine.  I'm
> calling around, getting prices.  I just want to make sure I'm asking all
> the right questions.
>
> Any pointers??
>
> Also...do I definitely have the 1.9?  How can I tell?
>
> Thanks!!
> -Lauren
>

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 Westfalia Weekender  "Beverley" - 192K miles
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/
PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/pavanagon/