How many miles on the 2.1 wbxr engine ?
once they are up to 180K or so ..
you start thinking about the bottom end being near the end of it's life.

so ..if you are lucky ..
perhaps a simple repair ..
serious oil leakage from whatever ..push rod tube, valve cover gasket..
or something to do with the top end ..heads/pistons/rings..
or ...
time for a new engine perhaps..
and then you start thinking about what engine that might be .

not much point in speculating about what is going on , until you get the
facts..
so let us know when you know something concrete .

Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Todd" <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 1:43 PM
Subject: Ohh those VW gods...billowing blue smoke.

> So I just finished climbing a short hill and felt the power of the 2.1 in
> my
> Westy decline slightly...a heard a honk and then saw people from the
> sidewalk staring.  I glanced out the rear view mirror and there was a very
> large cloud of bluish smoke behind me.  I quickly pulled over and turned
> the
> ignition off.  Nothing leaking - oil or water but the coolant refill tank
> was bone dry - previously at the max level a few days ago when I checked.
> The smoke smelled of burning oil.
>
> I quickly restarted the motor just top see if I could see or hear
> anything.
> Motor sounded fine but was blowing blue.  The temp guage was fine
> throughout
> this ordeal.  Anyway just about to get her flat bedded to a shop for
> repair.
>
> Theories, thoughts, words of wisdom?
>
>
>
> BT
>
> Freshly painted 86 Syncro Westy.