Jeff,

Dennis Haynes is right on. Also, something you might want to
consider..... a permanently installed oil pressure guage. Guages that
actually give you numbers are wonderful diagnostic tools, and also help
you monitor conditons at all times, better than idiot lights. There is a
lot of info in the archives about these installations. And no, I don't
have one myself, yet, but it's on my to-do list and has risen very close
to the top at this point.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Jeff Palmer wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I've got an 85 Westfalia with 275k km (165k miles) on the original 1.9l
>engine.  I've taken really good care of the van to this point and it hasn't
>let me down.  I replaced the right side head (VW dealer replaced it) shortly
>after I purchased the van in 1993, and two years ago I replaced the left
>side with a new AMC.
>
>I took it to my favourite mechanic (who actually seems to enjoy working on
>it) to get a once-over on the van before summer driving season starts.  I've
>been saving up for a new motor, thinking it would come at some point.  So I
>took it in, and mentioned that it seems to have low power.  Tony (the
>mechanic) did a compression and leakdown test and found:
>
>Cylinder 4:  Compression 115, leakdown 40%
>3:  155, 30%
>2:  145, 50%
>1:  135, 30%.
>
>He didn't feel that this would cause low power or was a major concern (yet).
>He thought it may be lifter issues or fuel injector trouble.  After going
>through the archives I found at least one really knowledgeable guy who made
>reference to the same thing, so I hope Tony is on the right track.
>
>Before you start thinking Tony is nuts, I could be relaying the info
>incorrectly.  I am obviously not a mechanic, but I'm learning lots being on
>the list.
>
>A side note:  the lifters have always been noisy despite the proper filter
>and 20-50 Quaker State.  Two years ago I had an oil change while on a
>holiday at a VW dealer in West Vancouver ($$$!) and 1500 miles later I had
>really noisy lifters and no power.  Turned out I also had no oil too.  I had
>checked it, but I thought I was misreading it because it seemed low.  Guess
>I wasn't misreading it.  The VW dealer topped up the oil and told me to
>watch for a catastrophic oil leak.  There wasn't one and still isn't.  Maybe
>something wasn't tightened properly.  Anyway.
>
>Does Tony sound like he's on the right track?  Do fuel injectors fail often
>and can they be repaired or just replaced?  Should I be spending money on
>this tired engine or is it time to cut my losses and get a new one.  Any and
>all advice appreciated.
>
>Thanks again
>Jeff
>85 Westfalia GL auto
>
>
>
>