Generally speaking, if a rebuilt engine has a defect, it shows up
immediately or in the fist few hundred miles. Poorly machined valve seats
and some other issues may show up long after. Almost all other engine
failures are the result of outside influences. These can be anything from
cooling or lube system failures to improper engine settings or outright
driver abuse.

Since you had recent water pump failure, a perfectly good engine
regardless of mileage has suffered a trauma and can be immediately
damaged. If the coolant was lost while the engine was hot and under load,
damage is done even if shut down immediately. The sudden loss of coolant
pressure and steam expansion alone can cause warpage and gasket damage.
Once those 400 degree heads were no longer filled with coolant, guess
what.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
C B
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 3:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: How much life in a Factory Rebuild

I rested from my waterpump-changing labors by reading the frightening
tale of Cunegonde's receipts dating back to 1991 (she's an 83.5 1.9l
WBX)

She's had a lot of owners, and the receipts tell me why.

Among other incidents, in 1998, with about 165k on the engine then in
the van, a Seattle VW dealership installed a VW factory-rebuilt
engine. Probably a 2.1, although she still has digijet EC as far as I
can tell. Judging from the receipts, it ran poorly. By 2003, with less
than 30k miles on that rebuilt engine, it had gone through *three*
cylnder heads. That engine now has about 40k on it.

3 cylinder heads in 30k? Do I contact VW? That's outrageously bad
quality, considering VW rebuilt it, and I have all the receipts for
installation, maintainance, oil changes, and so on. What can I do to
keep her going? An engine change, even if I do it myself, is not
currently in my budget.

Ugh, now on to figuring out why I have no reverse, 3rd, or 4th gear.

--
Bretts

1983 1.9l WBX Ivory Westfalia "Cunegonde"