Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: '90 2.1: What are the chances that I just fried my engine? UPDATE
From:Jeff Lincoln
Date:Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:09:04 -0400

OK, well this might get kind of long and there will most likely be several
questions. I'll provide as much info as I can.

*The driver's side head gasket is most definitely shot
*The large plastic water distribution piece blew an end out
*The coolant line/pipe that enters the passenger side head at the rear (rear
of the van) appears to be leaking coolant
*Oil shows no sign of water in the oil but was very low (it wasn't low last
I checked last week)
*No leaking from the block
*The van starts right up runs and sounds normal
*No leaking from the passenger side head

The Plan:

1. Check compression
2. Remove heads have them checked - if warped replace with heads from parts
bus.
2. Replace head gaskets
3. Replace gasket to the coolant line/pipe at the rear of pass head
4. Replace coolant distribution piece
5. Change oil

The Questions:

1. Do both head gaskets need to be replaced if the pass side isn't leaking?
(seems the right thing to change both but someone has suggested otherwise)

2. If compression test proves poor (I suspect it wont) is it worth even
proceeding with the repair?

3. Where did my oil go? Could it have been purged during over heating too?
There is clearly oil in the engine bay.

4. The age old question - remove the engine to do the repair or do it in the
bus?

5. I know I'm missing something, misguided, or not thinking of something
because I lack the knowledge and experience with this type of repair. So set
me straight :)

There you have it Sorry to present such a long post but this is very new
ground for me. Now I guess I need to go look through Benny Boys website for
a while.

Thank you all in advance for any words of wisdom advice and whatever else
you can send my way. Good Grief.

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'90 Carat (Grover)
'86 (We call this one Parts)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus