One other reason is to go 60 mph you're in the 4000 rpm territory, plus just
think of how much stuff you can load into a vanagon. All of the sudden 48 hp is
pushing over 5000 pounds.   Joel

Dan Snow wrote:

> 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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