Excellent suspicion Karl, same thing happened to me last year. Made a bloody
mess and had dollar signs flashing before my eyes.
----- Original Message -----
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: June 26, 1999 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: rebuild or 5 cyl?

> 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!!!!!
>