That's so unnecessary Ryan, as long as you get your automotive advice and
even Genuine Lucas Replacement Smoke from here:

http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html

On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 2:50 AM, Ryan <easywind1975@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Son of a bitch, I've got my 325 in pieces fixing a leak.  $400 in parts and
> machine shop bucks.  I should learn not to be so cynical....
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:53 PM
> Subject: Re: Engine repair or replacement?
>
>
>  Jake,
>>
>> Don't knock it until you try it... that "Head Gasket in a Can" got me
>> 50,000
>> miles on the BMW, and it wasn't leaking a drop when we sold it.  He is out
>> of a job, and if a $30 investment gives him the same results as my BMW,
>> then
>> it's worth a shot.  I'd be sure to drive it for a couple of weeks before
>> any
>> long trip just to make sure things are tight.  Also, I'd be sure that it
>> is
>> running as cool as possible.  I wouldn't try going across the desert in
>> the
>> middle of August with the stuff, unless I had a back-up plan.
>>
>> But... I was pouring about a quart of anti-freeze in my BMW per week,
>> until
>> I put the "Head Gasket in a Can" in, and didn't add a drop for two years.
>> The white smoke stopped right away.  For good measure, when I flushed the
>> system two years later, I did the Bars leak treatment again.  I was
>> skeptical myself, and maybe the BMW was a better candidate for this repair
>> than a WBX... but I was sure pleased to drive a $1000 car for 3 years, 50k
>> miles, on a $30 repair.
>>
>> Jack R.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of
>> Jake de Villiers
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8:33 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Engine repair or replacement?
>>
>> Guys, he's talking about driving his family across the Continent for God's
>> sake!  Some 'Head Gasket in a Can' won't do it when that gasket starts
>> chunking off halfway across Nevada and then he'll be in a position of no
>> strength whatsoever.
>>
>> Use your imagination, huh?  :)
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 5:22 PM, Jack R. <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>  Robert,
>>>
>>> I have had some great success with the Bars Leak Head Gasket repair on a
>>>
>> 91
>>
>>> BMW 325i.  The motor had 200k on it and was blowing white smoke like
>>> crazy
>>> out the exhaust.  I only paid $1,000 for the car, and expected to put
>>>
>> about
>>
>>> the same into the repair.  I thought, what the heck, I'll give the Bars
>>> Leak
>>> stuff a try.  It worked like a charm, and we put 50k on the motor, before
>>> we
>>> sold the car for $500.
>>>
>>> I will caution you, when using the Bars Leak, you MUST... did I say
>>>
>> MUST...
>>
>>> get ALL of the coolant out of the system before adding the Bars Leak.
>>> There are specific steps, and the Bars Leak Head Gasket solution does NOT
>>> do
>>> well with any type of coolant in the system.  It will gum up the works!
>>>
>>> As I am sure you have seen, the Vanagon is not an easy vehicle to flush
>>>
>> and
>>
>>> fill, and you need to do this 3 times to get the full effect of the Bars
>>> Leak.  FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AT EVERY LAST DETAIL, and you will
>>> probably
>>> be happy with the results.  Heck, $10 for the Bars Leak, and another $20
>>>
>> or
>>
>>> so for the new (phosphate free) coolant, you may just have the leak stop
>>> until you find a new job.
>>>
>>> Jack R.
>>> 84 Westy Wolfie
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>> Of
>>> Robert Stewart
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:10 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: Engine repair or replacement?
>>>
>>> What do you think about the bars stop leak gasket fix?
>>>
>>> R
>>>
>>> On Aug 19, 2008, at 7:05 PM, Ben Cichowski wrote:
>>>
>>> > >>> I talked to this guy Ken Morgan who sells engines under the name
>>> > jake4parts on ebay. He has 2.1 L engine for sale for $975. I know
>>> > some people say that he shady, I am not sure. Spoke to him and he
>>> > sounds like a nice guy who is knowledgeble.<<<
>>> >
>>> > Hey Robert,
>>> >
>>> > sorry to hear about he job...and the engine...total bummer, lots of
>>> > us have been there.
>>> >
>>> > As for your statement above... they ALL sound nice and
>>> > knowledgeable. I don't know this guy "jake4parts", but if more than
>>> > a few people on this list have said he is a scam artist, I'd take
>>> > their advice and avoid business with him. I may not know him, but I
>>> > have certainly known scammers and, like I said, they are always the
>>> > nicest guys on the phone; always have the answers and say the right
>>> > thing. From your post, you sound like you are leaning in this
>>> > direction, just don't want to see a guy make a bad situation worse.
>>> > just my 2 cents.
>>> >
>>> > -Ben
>>> >
>>> > > Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:51:37 -0400
>>> > > From: robertmstewart@MAC.COM
>>> > > Subject: Engine repair or replacement?
>>> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> > >
>>> > > Hi Everyone,
>>> > >
>>> > > More on my story...
>>> > >
>>> > > My 88 automatic wolfsburg with 237,000 miles on it with a rebuilt
>>> > > engine at 150,000 miles just had the head gaskets start leaking.
>>> > Small
>>> > > amounts of coolant are coming out.
>>> > >
>>> > > I was told it's missing .5 inches on each side of the head. I have
>>> > not
>>> > > verified it yet.
>>> > >
>>> > > Please note I just lost my job as dissolved the position and have a
>>> > > couple months of severance an unemployment insurance coming in, so
>>> > > cost is a big factor. I cant afford a lot but I want to do the right
>>> > > thing. The van has been running fine for the most part and I only
>>> > add
>>> > > about a quarter of the coolant tank every 200 miles. So the leak is
>>> > > not terrible
>>> > >
>>> > > I have been doing some research and here are what appear to be the
>>> > > options:
>>> > >
>>> > > 1. Use something like Bars STOP Leak - Head Gasket Fix WORKS WITH
>>> > ALL
>>> > > TYPES OF ANTIFREEZE! (
>>> > > DOES THIS EVEN WORK?
>>> > > http://www.barsproducts.com/1111.htm
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > 2. Use something like Permatex on the edge (though I am told this
>>> > wont
>>> > > work it might be temporary fix)
>>> > >
>>> > > 3. Remove the engine and have the gaskets replaced $1200-$1500
>>> > >
>>> > > 4. http://www.alumiweld.com ? temporary fix.
>>> > >
>>> > > 5. Get a new engine
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > $975 & $190 shipping - Ken Morgan (Jake4parts on ebay)
>>> > >
>>> > > I talked to this guy Ken Morgan who sells engines under the name
>>> > > jake4parts on ebay. He has 2.1 L engine for sale for $975. I know
>>> > some
>>> > > people say that he shady, I am not sure. Spoke to him and he sounds
>>> > > like a nice guy who is knowledgeble.
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-1991-VW-Vanagon-Rebuilt-2-1L-Engine-Long
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -Block_W0QQitemZ320284970269QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320284970269&_trkparms=3
>>
>>>
>>> 9%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting<
>>
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-1991-VW-Vanagon-Rebuilt-2-1L-Engine-Long
>>
>> -Block_W0QQitemZ320284970269QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320284970269&_trkparms=3
>>
>> 9%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting>
>>
>>> > >
>>> > > "1986 - 1991 VW Vanagon 2.1L Engine Rebuilt (Long Block) Has all new
>>> > > bearings, rings and valve job - This engine is completely resealed
>>> > > with all new head gaskets and crank seals... Built in our shop,
>>> > these
>>> > > engines also comes with all installation gaskets to complete the
>>> > > installations into your vanagon... Comes with flywheel or flex plate
>>> > > - Specify whether you have an automatic or stickshift...
>>> > >
>>> > > This engine also fits 83-85 Vanagon waterboxers with a small
>>> > > modification to the center intake manifold plenum (ask for product
>>> > > circular)... Comes with a 12mo/12,000mile warranty, technical
>>> > > bulitens for start-up and break-in as well as selection of motor
>>> > oils
>>> > > for long life and reliability...
>>> > >
>>> > > Shipping Flat Rate $190.00 to any major city trucking terminal in
>>> > the
>>> > > Continental USA - For Home delivery or Liftgate truck service add
>>> > > $96.00"
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Need some help trying to figure out what I should I, finances are
>>> > > tight. I want to move to California and drive my van there.
>>> > >
>>> > > Much appreciated all the ideas that you send my way.
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Thanks,
>>> > >
>>> > > Robert
>>> > >
>>> > > NY
>>> >
>>> > Be the filmmaker you always wanted to be-learn how to burn a DVD
>>> > with WindowsR. Make your smash hit
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jake
>> 1984 Vanagon GL
>> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
>> Crescent Beach, BC
>> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
>> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>>
>>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27