I just want to say thanks to Bob for the great tech support. I learn
something in every one of your posts.
Duncan Cameron
Nashville
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
Robert Lilley
  Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 6:52 AM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: Re: 2.1L Oil pressure problem: Rods: SYMPTOM NOT CAUSE:UNBALANCED
crank the ...

  <<<Ummm.... It costs NO more to make a bigger jug or piston or a longer
  throwcrank if you are already changing them a "little"..so that doesn't
hold
  water(like the head gaskets!)The "unbalanced washer" STILL doen't account
for
  the rods...sorry...I'll put the pile of cranks I've ground next to the
pile
  that you've groundand we'll compare...I'm gunna stop now..but some of your
  arguments seem to be in defence ofsomething that you've done and are happy
  with..and I agree that the engine issmoother and will live longer with a
  "fully" counterweighted crank..I HAVEused them and they are a *good
idea*..>>>

  No,  it does cost VW MORE to add extra material, change stock dimensions:
  mold remakes, retooling, redesign, etc.  They change parts from metal to
  plastic to save weight and money. They put on ONLY what is absolutely
  necessary and not any more...Remember they are doing 100s of thousands of
  engines not one and costs add up...  American Airlines eliminated one
olive
  from their first class salads and saved $40,000 a year.

  The crank flex does not need to be much to cause premature bearing wear.
It
  is the rod coming down on the crank at a slight angle to perpendicular
that
  starts the wear.

  <<<Umm how many people are tired of this? It's WAY beyond what most owners
  needto know...>>>

  You might be tired, but what I am doing is trying to let others that want
to
  keep the WBX engine, that they need to know to treat the CAUSE of the
problem
  and not the symptom, to get extended life out of their engine and NOT have
  the oil pressure problems due to worn bearings at higher mileage.

  Robert

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