Hey Ramon, lately (1,9-2.1 no difference) injectors are leaky... that
nice smoke in the back in the morning with a nice breeze of fuel smell!
Leaky mean they leak slowly, like overnight, it does't show on normal
driving when the engine is hot, but the bad! if they leak too much, it
clean's the pistons rings each morning, so, on that cold start, it's
rough on the cylinder, pistons and rings... also, a diluted oil is
pretty rough on the core bearing (crank, cam, rods).

That said, VW didn't expect that those van will last for generations...
so i would say that the injectors did a pretty good job! now, your
option are new one, good used one, or rebuilt  one from specialized shop
(ask here, many we give you some good one's)

As for me, i have about 80 of them, alls pressure tested, cleaned and
ready as USED ONE!!!
They may last for a long time or for only a few weeks... new one (BOSCH)
are about 140-160$ each, rebuilt one are way cheaper.

My suggestion: if you think that you will keep the van for a long time
and travel a lot, change those injectors, a new fuel pressure regulator
and a fuel pump. New fuel filter and NEW fuel line (engine compartment).
I  have a do it yourself page on my site:
http://www.benplace.com/fuel_line.htm

As to your question, VW had a strict maintenance schedule.... that NO
one follow.

So now you understand 1 reason as to why engine break.... and that is
only the Fuel section!

Well maintain engine (when i say engine i mean the whole thing in the
back....) should go for a very very long time....  And believe me, in
only 6 weeks i have re-seal, rebuilt 6 of them!  7 days a week....

Best regards Allen
Ben

Allen Hill wrote:

>A quick question here.  I was wondering just how often should the injectors
>be replaced on a 86 Vanagon with a 2.1 motor?  Is there a service life on
>these, or is it one of those things sort of like if it seems to work, keep
>your mits off?
>Thanks,
>
>Route 66 Rider!
>Ramon Hill
>Live Long and Be Free
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Benny boy
>Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 11:14 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: gas in the oil
>
>Easy one.... one or more FI injectors is leaking overnight into the
>combustion chamber, a classic problem! have a GOOD mechanic do a fuel
>pressure test, if it does't hold pressure, have the fuel rail remove, and
>just watch the yellow tip of the each injector... one will leak.
>
>http://www.benplace.com/fi_hoses/100_0006.jpg
>http://www.benplace.com/fi_hoses/100_0025.jpg
>
>Cheers, Ben
>http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
>
>
>
>
>