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Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:07 am

how can I tell if my engine has been changed? I have an 85, which should be a 1.9L, but is there any way to tell if a PO has done a swap for a later year engine?

I want to make sure I get the right oil pump.

Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:55 am

Can you see the serial number on the engine itself? Can't remember exactly where, but I believe I've seen links where you can decode the serial number for more info once you have it. I'm sure there are other ways to tell as well, but you'll have to wait for the real mechanics to tell you what those are.

Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:34 pm

Hey Gordy,

I don't think there is a difference in oil pumps between the 1.9 and the 2.1. If it were my money, this is the pump I would get. Better quality than stock, and less expensive, too. The #1796 is what I used, but you will want to check your camshaft configuration.

Here's a good thread dealing with oil pressure, pumps, and the like.

Cheers!
Ric

Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:03 pm

The oil pump is the same for 1.9 and 2.1, provided the camshaft hasn't been changed. Very unlikely it has; only a hotrodder like me would do that. Most rebuilders build a straight-up stock motor.

Motor ID is the same as it's been throughout the VW aircooled run: the case type and serial number is stamped into the flat face just below the breather tower. On an American market 1.9 the number will begin with DH; a 2.1 is an MV.

Chances are your actual engine size corresponds with those letter codes. However, it is possible to build either displacement on either crankcase. 2.1's built on DH cases are not uncommon. 1.9's built on MV cases are possible, but I can't believe anyone would do it.

The definitive measure is the crankshaft that is inside, because regardless of crankcase, it's the crankshaft stroke that determines the displacement. 1.9 had 69mm stroke, 2.1 has 76mm. It is possible to measure stroke thru a sparkplug hole, by inserting a straight wire about 5" long at TDC, marking the wire at the edge of the plug hole, then rotate the crank 180deg. to BDC, and measure again. The difference in the measurements is the actual stroke.

Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:03 pm

thanks everyone. I checked the serial, it is a 1.9L , I also checked van-cafe and noticed all the vanagon oil pumps were the same. Will order one soon, as locally they are much more expensive. I read the other thread about re&re, sounds rather daunting.

Sounds like the water pump has to come off?

Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:29 am

240Gordy wrote: how can I tell if my engine has been changed? I have an 85, which should be a 1.9L, but is there any way to tell if a PO has done a swap for a later year engine?

I want to make sure I get the right oil pump.

A very easy way to find out: Look if you have the second oil pressure switch!
http://www.benplace.com/oil_pressure_sender_overview.htm

Cheers, Ben

Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:51 am

Quote: Sounds like the water pump has to come off?

No. You need to take off the muffler and its brackets, support the engine and take off the engine support beam and then the cast support bracket. Finally the lower crosspipe will have to be removed. Then you have access to the oil pump.