The only real advantage to having the dealer do the job is that the warranty
is good at any dealer in the US or Canada.  Something to consider if you
plan to travel soon.  The down side of course is that you will have to pay
dearly for any other parts needed to do the job.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: john silverman <jsilver@AROS.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, May 06, 1999 6:47 PM
Subject: head gaskets/engine upgrades

>Our 90 syncro westy (Vic) seems to be developing a head gasket leak at 80k
>miles.  Independent garages have quoted me about $800-950 for the job.  The
>VW dealer quoted me about $1200.  This brings up several ??s:
>
>Any advantage to having the dealer do the job?
>
>At what point should one consider a complete rebuild, or a VWoA Rebuilt
>engine (about $2250 plus labor)? (or perhaps anyone elses rebuild?)
>
>Without an engine swap, are there any performance upgrades worth doing to
>boost power (I recall seeing within the last few months an ad for an outfit
>in Oregon that could boost power with an engine rebuild, and someone was
>going to check into this...any word?)
>
>Are there any other jobs (eg preventative maintenance, fuel lines, anything
>else) that should be done while the biggie job of head gaskets is being
done?
>
>Thanks...
>John
>SLC