TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:21 pm

It is incredible! when I go to Sedona down I-17, it is like I have a turbo, proves what I said about saving gas; go downhill!

BTW, I am now marketing a gas saving kit. It will produce a 25% increase in your MPG, guaranteed. Does not violate any laws of thermodynamics, physics or common sense. It does require you hook up an electrode to your alternator. The electrode hooks to a LION pack in a GPS receiver with Topo maps. THe digital energy produced will direct your engine (along with the van) to produce greater speed with less fuel. It simply assures your going downhill. If you follow all the downhill directions, you will save gas. Of course you will eventually end up in Hades, don't forget the coin for Caronte.

Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:51 pm

Dogpilot wrote: Of course you will eventually end up in Hades, don't forget the coin for Caronte.

Well, I'll be damned!

Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:39 pm

Ok - so I got my 2.4 about two months ago. Since then I have followed the break-in procedures as described by GW, except for the fact that my first change was at 500 miles. GW recommends the first change at 1000 miles. I also changed at the 1000 mile interval. I am now at 3000 miles.

I get a small drip from the engine case. I believe the leak is present during engine running, and the small drip I get (less than a tea spoon) is the leaking oil finding the lowest point on the engine case when the van sits for a few hours after running. I believe the leak/drip is from the rear main seal / flywheel seal.

When speaking to the mechanic who did the install he felt that during the break-in period, the rear main seal may be experiencing higher back-pressure as the rings are still seating and with further break-in the leak would stop. GW said if desired, they would handle a warranty claim~ as seals are covered for 12months/12,000 miles. The leak is really not large or detrimental in the grand scheme of things, but I would rather not have a leak at all.

Any thoughts for the seal being adequate in a couple of more thousand miles? I just would like to take some of the voodoo out of new engines.

thanks,
Mark

Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:46 pm

bump.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:04 pm

Well I would say no leak is acceptable. The main seal is prone to not get better. Best let them change it out. The blowby theory is fine, but that would be an awful lot of back pressure that should be going out the breather tower, not forcing oil out through the main seal.

To make sure, clean the engine, run it a mile or so and then observe precisely where the oil comes from. Oil is mysterious stuff and can travel a long ways.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:02 pm

How did u make out with your GW oil leak? My first 2.3 GW motor leaked at the drain plug right fromt he start, my second 2.3 also leaked from the drain plug. When I did the first oil change I put in a brass o-ring and since then it has been fine. Double check that it isn't your drain plug. How is your motor running otherwise?

Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:16 pm

I second the drain plug potential leak. Get some copper washers from Halsey and use a new one at each oil change. If I don't, I have a tiny drip like you're experiencing.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:50 am

My buddy had the same problem w/ his GW2.4 last year. Easy fix and Lucas will cover the expenses if you have to do it locally.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:52 pm

I am pretty sure it is not the drain plug. At my last change a new copper ring was put in place. ~ I sure wish it was that easy.

The oil collects at two distinct points. The first being right next to drain plug and the second is at the bottom of the transmission casing. Based on this I still believe it is the main seal.

I called GW and talked through it with them. They said they would work with the installer, take care of it, etc. I plan on taking the van to the local garage that did the install. At that point they will confirm the issue and coordinate the warranty work with GW.

I am quite happy with the engine. The power is good and steep inclines are way better. I was in Jackson, WY a few weeks ago and there is this killer 10% grade hill and several (6%) in eastern Oregon on my route. Although, I did not break the speed limit, I was able to keep it moving. Overall I just like how the engine seems to push the van at 68mph without struggling. Running the AC doesn't seem to make a major impact. My milage is a consistent 18mph (with rocket box on top).

I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:23 pm

My personal leak emanated from the breather tower. I didn't renew the O ring on it when I swapped components to the 2.4. It would seep around and collect on the lower engine, took a while to find.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:47 pm

Thanks for the input. I'll make sure to look at that area as well.

Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:06 pm

Just thought I would throw out the conclusion.

The first drip was caused by the copper ring around the oil drain plug. I replaced it with a new one and got that drip taken care of. I went to Halsey Imports and got 5 rings for $.70. :D

The second drip was not the main seal and had nothing to do with GW's engine. It is a gasket on the transmission case. :oops: When I stuck my finger on the oil drip I thought it was motor oil because it was tan/golden in color. In my previous experience, transmission fluid was red. So anyway now I know 90wt oil used in the transmission is tan/golden and I have a minor drip from the transmission. At this point the drip is not worth the cost of repair.

(3300 miles on GW 2.4)