The frequent "reason" this happens when someone buys a diesel Vanagon has
little to do with the motor, and a LOT to do with the driver. Most folks
who buy one of these hop in the driver's seat and drive the thing like they
would a car. They red line it through all the gears, push it to 65 or 70
mph on the highway, expect it to climb hills at 45 in third, and generally
rag the ever-living puss out of the motor. So the motor dies. Quickly.

Your shipmate would be best to do one of two things. Either put a
new/rebuilt diesel in, and do some serious reading on the driving
characteristics of this van as a diesel. It is a SLOW, RELAXED drive. Top
speed of about 55; takes a good 30 seconds to get to 55. At 55 mph, you
could drive this van for 250k. At 65 mph, 40k, maybe. At 70 mph 250 miles.
OR
Replace the diesel with a fresh, NA gas 8v golf/Jetta motor. His overall
investment, either way, will be in the $3000 range. Not bad for a reliable
camper.

Go to Vanagon.com and find the diesel list and get him on it. Martin
Jaggersand (sp) is a diesel aficionado on that list and can give your buddy
some tips.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com <http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/>
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------
Get your FREE semi-private E-mail account, use your computer at work.

-----Original Message-----
From:   easoars [SMTP:easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM]
Sent:   Wednesday, December 15, 1999 11:45 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        82 Diesel seized up Help!

 << File: ATT00003.htm >> A shipmate of mine just purchased a country home
I think thats the name of the conversion. He picked it up in Lake tohoe and
started to drive down home to Southern Cal. About 200 miles into the trip
the engine locked up. He had it towed to a garage and the mechenaic said
that always happens to the diesel engine vanagons and offered to take it
off his hands for $200.00. My buddy called me up and was at the point to do
this but I convinced him that he would lose all the money he put into
buying it. After 250 dollars of renting a trailer and truck from u haul he
brought it home. The vanagon overall is staight with minor dents hiding
underneath the bra and no rust. He is thinking about taking the diesel out
of his rabbit that is running find but has about 150 thousand miles on it.
I told him before taking the engine out of the rabbit inspect the vanagons
engine to see what the problem is. Is this something that happens quite
often w/diesels. By the way the owner supposely replaced the head and
renewed the oil. He confirmed that the oil was clean and the filter was
new. Is there anyone out there that can help him locate a good bargain on
an engine and get him back on track.  He was determined to get a Westy
after he saw the one I just finished putting together.
Andy
82 Westy