How is the van parked? Is the engine kept overfilled? Some oil puddling
is normal, especially with 3 piece rings. Many 2.1L engines burn oil
from day one. Mine did and at 226K it still does about 1 quart/1,000 to
1,200 miles. Oil burning and smoking can also be worn valve guides. The
intakes were once fitted with slingers or fixed seals on the valve
stems. Most crack and become missing after 40K or so. Most rebuilders do
not know they belong there and do not replace them. These seals, keep
oil from getting sucked down the intake valve stems when the valves are
open. Since the ETKA does not show it and the gasket sets do not have
it, the part number for the intake valve scraper ring is 113-109-619.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Edwards [mailto:medwards1@triad.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:02 PM
To: Vanagon Mailing List
Cc: rrecardo@WEBTV.NET; dhaynes@optonline.net; inua@CHARTER.NET
Subject: Standard Repair Times - Rings / Heads

Thanks to all who responded.  Sorry I forgot to mention it is an 87 2.1L

with 82k.  The reason I'm looking at new rings is because I get smoke at

start up after it has been sitting for a while and have noticed some oil

consumption without a leak.  My thought was, "well the heads are already

off, shouldn't take too long to throw on a set of rings".  That's why I
was
so shocked when he mentioned having to split the case.  I'm new to my
2.1
but have torn down enough Type 1 engines to know that sounds funny.
Sounds
like the consensus is:
The engine doesn't have to be removed to do the head seals.
The cases don't have to be split to do the rings.
Given John's response and the relatively low mileage I'll probably forgo
the
bottom end rebuild and try to get out of this without too much more
money.
Seems if you go to far the economies of scale start to kick in and its
cheaper just to exchange for a full rebuilt engine.