John,

    Sorry to hear this! And the hits just keep on coming as they say. First
order of business is a compression test. Sounds like your going to find
either a burnt piston, galled cylinder, stretched valve, or all of the
above. All these things require a tear down and inspection. Overheating to
this point, is not good for any engine and a death sign for most!
    If you find a "long" valve I would resist the temptation to adjust it
and try to run the van, (no matter how good it may at the time). If a valve
stretches once, it may break at any time and wipe out every thing else when
it goes!

    I hope your fiend is willing to participate fanatically anyway!

Howard

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2014 4:10 PM
Subject: Engine rebuild - 2.1 L WBX

I have had the  misfortune of having someone drive my Carat without my
permission during my stay in a rehab hospital and subsequent recovery
period. The water pump belt failed and they kept on driving,  trying to get
to destination and avoid the inconvience of a stop on the highway. I am
afraid they may have destroyed the engine in their ignorance  of the engine
in this van.

New belts have been  put on, and antifreeze replaced but the mechanic says
the engine runs  rough � s a cobb.

What should I test on this this engine to check it out?

If a rebuild is required, I have a local rebuilder who is very, very good
but I need to know of anything I need to bring to his attention. Also might
be  done to make for a better rebuild.

Thanks,

John
(post stroke)