Message was received OK.

Before going to the expense and bother of a rebuild or exchange, make sure
you don't just have a clogged breather hose or something equally simple.
87K seems like a really low mileage to require a rebuild.  Where exactly is
the oil spewing from?  My van starting belching oil a awhile back and I
thought I was in line for a rebuild myself (with 150K or so on the engine).
Turned out the hose which runs form the top of the crankcase to the intake
boot was air hose instead of oil hose and had swelled up internally to the
point that there was no where for engine blow-by to go except out the
dipstick hole.  27 cents later I was on the road again with no problems.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: tmjcgarret@earthink.net <tmjcgarret@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 8:13 PM
Subject: rebuild or 5 cyl?

> Well the time has come.  Our '85 westy is spewing oil from a valve stem
> seal.  (I think)  Lost about 1 quart in 160 miles on the highway.  Most
> ended up on the back of the van!!!  It must get blown up because the back
> window was speckled.
>
> Anyway, I am relocating from Darien, CT to Boston, MA and need to find a
> good mechanic who can take a look at the van in Boston.
>
>  I have 87,000 and am debating whether I should rebuild and have the heads
> polished and ported, the crank balanced, better valves lifters etc or drop
> in a 5 cylinder?   Can the AC be mounted with the 5 cyl?
>
> Any and all guidance welcome!
>
> PS there are a lot more westy's in MA than in CT!!!!!