John Wessels wrote:

>
> Maintenance is the key to engine longevity. In the air-cooled T1 it is
> considered maintenance to pull the heads and replace the valve guides at 40K
> miles.
>
> So, the water boxer is an engine that requires a little more knowledge and
> care to maintain. VW has always been that way. Think of that the next time
> you lose your Subie's oil pan driving over a speed bump.'

John,
It's funny how the only thing Subie detractors can find wrong with the engine is
the oilpan. That little shortcoming is being addressed, and even if it wasn't,
I'd prefer replacing the pan on rare occasions to replacing valveguides every
40k!!
Larry