Anyone have an informed opnion on why Vanagon diesels don't live as long as
do other VW diesels? I guess there are two reasons I can think of. Most
things I've read say it's the first. I suspect the second may also have a
role...

1) VW Vanagons weigh twice as much as Rabbits. Thus, a diesel engine spends
its life under higher load than does a rabbit diesel. This would seem to
call for driving the diesel around in a lightfooted way if you are
interested in longevity...

2) I wonder if having the engine leaned over at that funny angle starves
some components of oil. I have to think that fewer random splashes of oil
find their way to the crankshaftwith that big funky vanagon pan... I guess
the way to quasi-scientifically test this is to ask people with I-4
conversions that don't slant way over if their engines last as long as they
do in Golfs/Jettas...

Thanks for you insight.

Daniel Snow
PhD Student
UC Berkeley

'82 Vanagon Diesel
'78 Puch Maxi Luxe Moped
'01 Xootr Scooter

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