Hi folks,

My prior mechanic in Southern California told me that VW stopped
making remanufactured wasserboxers, and that after that point he
refused to put rebuilt engines in.  His reasoning was that he had
been burned by bad quality rebuilds and felt he could no longer in
good conscience install them.     Not sure I agree with that
philosophy, but I respect it and understand it.

Anyway, now I'm up here in Northern California (Bay Area) and, rumor
is that people are a little less, shall we say, risk-averse up here?

In any case, I'm looking for a vanagon mechanic around SF or Oakland
who would be interested in (A) finding a 1.9l engine in decent
condition and rebuilding it, or sourcing a decent quality rebuild,
and (B) installing it, (C) for a reasonable price.    I've been
quoted about $6k for a top-of-the-line engine (souped-up 2.2 rebuild
w/installation).  I'd love to go that route, but I'm not sure I can
afford it right now, so I'm looking for something more in the $2k to
$3k range.

The 1.9 in my van has a head leak, bad oil pressure, and just broke a
valve, so I'm assuming it's junk at this point.

If you are the right mechanic, or can recommend one, please contact
me via email off list.

Thanks!
-mike