Janyce, another alternative to you is to replace your aircooled with a
newer watercooled. Check out SFO area craigslists. There are cheap 83.5
- 85 watercooled Vanagons for sale all the time for below $2000. Some
of them are very decent road runners still. My 84 (not for sale) has
almost 150k miles on it yet it runs extremely well. I figure I would
get $1.5k the most if I were to sell it. You can get one at $1.5k that
runs great still. $1.5k is not even enough to rebuild yours. So you
should consider this alternative. You will love more a watercooled.
Every time I drive my 84 I hardly can find a reason to sell it.

Good luck.

David

--- Janyce Bartlett <janycebartlett@MSN.COM> wrote:

> Hi Everybody:
>
> My van's engine has reached the end of the road.  In July, I lost the rear
> axle and got hooked up with a mechanic in San Francisco through this board,
> who fixed the job with used parts for 250.  I asked him if he would work on
> the engine to eliminate the oil leaks that had progressively gotten worse
> since I bought it in 2004.  His analysis of the situation was that the
> engine was done and I should get rid of the air-cooled and get a water
> cooled if I wanted to still have a Vanagon. He said the engine had gotten
> too hot from overworking it and not taking care of it (I was very poor in
> San Diego and coult not tend to things).  When he gave the engine gas, it
> was making a real load noise which he said was from air leaking from the
> exhaust into the engine and that it was burning oil. I said I did not intend
> to get rid of the van and wanted to fix it.  His estimate on  the
> installation of a rebiult engine was $4,000.  He said to just drive my van
> until it wouldn't go anymore,  which is where I am at now.  I  had just
> changed the oil and adding some fuel injector cleaner but did not have a
> full tank of gas.  The van is backfiring and is very loud like there is no
> muffler at all.  And it puts at a lot of smoke.(which it has been doing for
> a while especially went I first start running it or when it has to do any
> upgrade which it can barely do. ) It has absolutely no power at all.  It
> barely moves only in first gear and jerks a lot.  I guess I will not know if
> it has failed seals and gaskets or a cracked head until I take it apart.
>
> This is my situation. I would like to rebuild this engine myself with the a
> professional doing the cylinder work.  The van is presently is an
> unrestricted street parking spot in Sausalito, CA. I have
> AAA basic which will tow it within five miles without charge.  I would like
> to locate a vacant work space for a month, preferably in Sausalito, Marin
> City, or Mill Valley,and rent the heavy equipment I need to remove and mount
> the engine.  My auto repair skills are at a minimum but I have a technical
> education to help me learn.  I have wanted to break down and rebuild a
> engine for a some time. The time is right. my job is done oct 31 and I have
> the cash to get me through.  I noticed someone had done a rebuild in August
> on T2, so hopefully with some internet guidance I can get it done.
>
> First, Is there anyone out there in the Marin County area that would know of
> a place I could use for a month.  Also where could I come by engine removal
> and mounting equipment.  I am going to make a checklist of all the supplies
> and parts I need.  Does anyone know of a good resource that walks you
> through a rebuild project for the novice.  I do read the Bentley , but it
> assumes the user is a trained mechanic. I also have the VW idiot's guide.
> The bottom line is I want to do this to learn and finally understand how it
> all works.
> Let me know your thoughts and advice.
> Cheers,
> Janyce
>

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