After a long, difficult decision, and even after reading many messages of 

praise, I chose to spend a few more dollar's for my remanufactured 2.1.

I purchased mine direct from VW parts.

Why?

Just for the very reason this conversation is on the list.

I feared possible engine failure, I feared warrantee coverage by a small 

rebuilder on the opposite side of the country with no possibility to have 

the problem resolved by the concern who sold me the rebuilt engine.

I felt for this reason, a VW rebuilt engine was well worth the price 

difference, if for nothing else piece of mind, knowing wherever I may be if 

I had troubles a VW dealer wouldn't be too far away.

I've read older posts regarding BB's engine remans.

They all are not perfect, and sometimes it seems he has a preponderence of 

side stepping his responsablities.

I've read several main seal leaking problems in prior messages in the 

archives.

Nobodies perfect.

Understood.

I just would have liked it better (if I was Dan) to have the rebuilder 

closer at hand when something went wrong.

E-Mails and phone calls don't cure engine problems while on the road.

I feel his frustrations.

Ron

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Dave Vickery" <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<mailto:davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<about:blank>>>

To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>>

Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:13 PM

Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution

> The thing to be cautious of is buying an engine long distance.  Any 

> warranty

> is useless when the work is done by a local mechanic and the engine

> purchased and shipped. The costs to invoke the warrantee make it

> impractical.

>

> I say find the best local rebuilder that will install the engine and will

> stand behind their work no matter what happens.  Or buy a cheap used 

> engine

> and take your chances.

>

>

>

> >From: Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>

> >Reply-To: Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>

> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>

> >Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution

> >Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:53:50 -0500

> >

> >I did get your email and was going over it and preparing a responce when

> >you posted this to the list

> >you never mentioned the head gasket blowing just that the

> >you felt I owed you 2K for cranks seal replacement

> >and that you thought I had glued the seals in that I improperly installed

> >them see your email below

> >I have done hundreds of engines and never have I glued a crank seals in

> >place the engine was not rebuilt with substantial error

> >I am sorry for your trouble but as I told you I feel you have ring damage

> >and that the engine was not set up right or it was driven to hard to soon

> >

> >to summerize

> >

> >you blew the heads off this engine and I am responceable for you driving 

> >it

> >after the idiot lights came on

> >

> >you had a minor drain plug leak and a flywheel that weeped after you got

> >off the highway

> >due to piston ring damage

> >

> >I made no errors assembling this engine and I do silicone the head 

> >gaskets

> >in place

> >

> >Bob Donalds

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >   Bob:

> >   I am considering describing my experiences with you and your rebuilt

> >engine on the Vanagon List. Before I do that, I offer you this last

> >opportunity to take responsibility for your error in the building of my

> >engine. To date, the error of placing glue on the wrong sides of both 

> >main

> >seals has cost me over $2,000.

> >

> >   Do you have any response whatsoever?

> >

> >   Will you take responsibility for your error?

> >

> >   Will you compensate me for my costs related to your error?

> >

> >   Do you deny responsibility for the main seals error?

> >

> >   Do you deny that you built the engine in my van?

> >

> >   Dan

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >   ----- Original Message -----

> >   From: DanielCRoberts@aol.com<mailto:DanielCRoberts@aol.com<about:blank>>

> >   To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>

> >   Cc: donalds1@verizon.net<mailto:donalds1@verizon.net<about:blank>>

> >   Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 5:19 PM

> >   Subject: Boston Bob engines - Use caution

> >

> >

> >   I relied on recommendations from this List and chose Boston Bob when I

> >needed a rebuilt engine. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing.

> >

> >   The Boston Bob rebuilt engine was installed in my 89 Camper GL (2.1

> >Liter) last spring. Almost from the beginning I noticed oil leakage from

> >the oil drain plug and from the front and rear of the engine. The leakage

> >was disappointing but at least did not seem to be severe when I left for 

> >an

> >extended trip to southeastern US.

> >

> >   Prior to the trip, I talked with Bob McDonalds (Boston Bob) and he

> >assured me the leaks would probably dissipate over time as internal 

> >engine

> >pressure lessened with engine wear. However, when I returned from my 

> >trip,

> >my own mechanic examined my engine and showed me that both front and rear

> >main seals had substantial leaks, as did the oil plug.

> >

> >   I contacted Bob McDonalds again. He again suggested the problem might 

> > be

> >with internal pressure related either to tight piston rings or to a

> >collapsed engine gases recirculation tube (his speculation). He 

> >eventually

> >sent a new rubber tube although my mechanic had assured him and me that 

> >the

> >existing tube was OK. I installed the new tube anyway. He also sent 

> >several

> >different oil drain plugs and several different oil drain plug rings.

> >

> >   None of the drain plugs or drain plug rings stopped the oil leakage 

> > from

> >the oil drain plug. The oil drain plug still leaked, as did the front and

> >rear main seals.

> >

> >   I sent an email to Bob asking him to provide some compensation for the

> >oil leaks and their effect on the value of my Vanagon. He did not respond

> >to my email.

> >

> >   Next, while traveling in Colorado, the engine overheated when the

> >alternator froze, breaking the belt that also supplies the water pump. I

> >pulled off the road and turned off the engine as soon as the coolant

> >trouble light came on. (However, the alternator trouble light had come on

> >about one minute earlier and I did not pull over and stop as soon as that

> >light came on.)

> >

> >   I examined the engine and saw what appeared to be a blown front main

> >seal. A subsequent examination of the engine by a 30-year Vanagon 

> >mechanic

> >in Colorado confirmed my suspicion. Of course some would argue the fault

> >was mine for not immediately turning off the engine when the alternator

> >light came on. However, a subsequent investigation by the Colorado 

> >mechanic

> >revealed that both front and rear main seals (head gaskets) had been

> >improperly installed.

> >

> >   Both front and rear main gaskets had a large amount of glue over the

> >entire inside grooves--facing the engine. As a result, when the glue had

> >dried, gaps were created, thereby allowing oil to push through the gaps.

> >The Colorado mechanic said that the gasket failure was inevitable, given

> >the way the gaskets were installed.

> >

> >   Boston Bob has refused to respond to my subsequent emails in which I

> >asked him to take responsibility for the leaking oil and subsequent blown

> >gasket.

> >

> >   Replacing the improperly installed seals cost me about $1,500. Of 

> > course

> >this does not include the motel bills when I was stranded in Colorado for

> >12 days. Fortunately, I can say the front and rear seals no longer leak

> >after being properly installed. The oil plug still leaks.

> >

> >   This situation has been disheartening, as well as costly. I had been

> >pleased to obtain a Boston Bob engine. I thought I was dealing with a

> >reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, Boston Bob has refused to stand behind

> >his product even though I can document and prove the engine was rebuilt

> >with a substantial error.

> >

> >   Because of the error and because of Boston Bob's refusal to be

> >responsible for the error, I suggest other List members use caution when

> >considering whether to purchase a rebuilt engine from Boston Bob.

> >

> >   Dan Roberts

> >

> >   CC: Bob McDonalds

>

> _________________________________________________________________

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>

Ron