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Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:20 pm

Hey
I am in college and don't have alot of money. But my van, a 1975 Camper, is broken down and i need help. :( I have been looking for a new engine, that won't kill my tiny savings account. :cry: Right now i have a Type 4 engine in it, and all the seals are rotted out. So it leaks oil like a mad van! I could have the engine dropped and resealed, but i find it pointless to but money into such an old engine that might just break down again. So i am trying to think logically and just but a nice new engine in it. But again i am running into the issue of who to trust and what goes with a new engine, and all that!!! I am not a mechanic and although i try to understand i need some experienced help! Does any one know of any where near houston, that works on VW's and or someone who could quote me a new set up?!?!?! PLEASE HELP ME!!!! and please if you do, set me up with some one trustable! i have had many unloyal mechanics ripping me off in the last couple months! :evil: I need some REAL HONEST HELP!

THANK YOU!!!
:shock:
-chloe
~peace~

Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:33 pm

I can't point you towards any mechanics in that area, but you will probably be better off rebuilding your existing engine rather than purchasing a completely new one. Especially if you're on a budget.

If you want to replace the whole thing, the best thing I can suggest is keep searching the classifieds and possibly post a wanted ad. I posted a wanted ad and got a few replies and ended up finding someone who built my motor up for me, and cut me a really good deal. Although it was a really good deal, there's a good chance it came to more than rebuilding your current engine would. I think it would be better for you to work with what's already in the bus.

Doing anything drastic motor-wise is hard to do on a tight budget, if you say abouts what you're looking to spend I'm sure some of the more motor savvy dudes on here will be able to point you in a positive direction.

P.S.

I'd be more worried about this than leaking oil!

Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:56 pm

well, i hpe you find someone you can trust that will do work on your bus for free, or next to free. i doubt that would happen.

your best bet is to....

A. join a VW club and rely on your new VW friends to help you
B. learn to be a mechanic
C sell your bus and buy something you can afford.

VWs arent cheap to have fixed by a proffesional. the amount of mechanics that understand how to treatr a VW right are disapearing fast.

if you want to own a classic VW your only option is to learn how to work on it yourself or make alot of money to pay someone

that is the honest truth. no sugarcoating

Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:51 pm

Henry at Bugoholics.com in Pasadena,TX has a good reputation and may be able to help you find something/someone. He seems to concentrate on bugs...but might know the right help for you. (he happens to have an old TypeIV for sale for $200 that needs a rebuild too.) Good luck.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:48 am

edited :wink:

Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:37 am

Check out these folks. There is a Houston area group also . Cool folks .
http://www.aircoolers.org

Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:58 am

Check out these guys, they should be able to help you out.

Houston -- Gekko's Aircooled Services
Owner: Kevin Adams
2515 1/2 Stonham Street, Houston, Texas 77047
832-298-8449
www.gekkosaircooled.com

or

Houston -- Kermit's Aircooled Replacement Parts (KAR Parts)
Owner: Kermit Leistikow
3507 Bering Drive , Houston, Texas 77057
713-780-1331
www.karparts.net

Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:56 am

Other than leaking oiling, how does the motor run? Also, where is it leaking oil from (sorry for ending my sentence with a preposition)? It may not be as big a deal as you think. As for putting money into an old engine, that is pretty much what we all do! My engine is 34 years old. :D

Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:59 am

Yea, no better time to learn! Did the engine still run strong? Clean it up, find the leaks, drop the engine and fix the leaks. Maybe get a valve job while you're at it depending on how much dis-assembly is needed and how the engine ran.

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:49 am

Agreed with everything stated above. You are your best mechanic. Whats the worst that can happen? Failure is how we learn, dont be afraid of it. Im in the same boat. I cant afford to pay $3500 for a rebuild, so Im doing it myself as I get the $$$. It may take longer, but I am patient. My goal is to have it ready by next summer. :D

Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:36 am

you should at the very least have it properly diagnosed. get the compression checked. have a leak down test done. know what you're dealing with.

Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:47 pm

I am trying to learn about these cars, i truley am, but its so hard to do with school and a job. The engine, as i told by the last person who looked at it, is in "good" condition. All the seals are rotted out and so the whole thing needs to be dropped and re-sealed. Now i hope that i don't sound stupid, but i don't know what to do. I am a girl and although i try i am just not experienced enough in the whole air cooled thing to understand this!!! :oops: AHHHHH!!! He also said that i need to replace the fuel injector and or put a carb in it instead. Again i don't know what to do. He also said that there was oil behind by fly-wheel. And again i don't know if that is becasue of my seals being old or not. He said that i can drive it as long as i keep oil in it, but not for long. I need to either put a new engine in it, or drop it and get it re-sealed. He quotes me a re-seal for $2,000. And i don;t know if that is to much for that or not!!!! :? So what do you guys think? yeah or neah? what do you think the best option is for me? i am not going to sell it thats for one thing. This has been my dream car since i was young and it means the world ot me, i put so much money into this thing its like my kid. :D But i knew that all of that came along with being a VW owner, i just couldn't resist. I was "choosen" hahaha Thanks again for all the help. and any ideas and comments welcome.

-chloe :D

Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:58 pm

honestly....girl or not....you can do it.

It takes time, patience, and a willingness to get dirty....all things that you should have if you want to own vintage cars.

If you are thinking of getting it rebuilt anyway, you can save a little money by dropping it out yourself. Once you do that, you might find that you might take a stab at replacing the seals. What have you got to lose? It won't cost you any more if the engine is already out, and your considering buying a new engine anyway, so you don't even have to worry about breaking it. It'll take a weekend and a couple evenings....thats worth a couple grand to me.

And once its over you'll love your car even more, and you'll learn valuable knowledge that will help you over its life.

And save a shload of money.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:04 am

Suggestion:

Send a PM off to "keifernet" who posts here and is in Houston. See if you can get your bus into him have a look at and to give you some advice. Every one is busy trying to clean up after the storm though so keep that in mind.

He is a good guy and you can trust his judgement.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:29 am

Your mechanic is probably right about your seals and oil leaks, but he isn't doing you any real favor telling you to take out your FI and replacing it with a carb. It may be simpler for some, but it's not certainly not better. Talk to Keifernet... like Randy said. Ain't that fer to Houston....in Texas miles.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:18 am

chloestreeter wrote: I am trying to learn about these cars, i truley am, but its so hard to do with school and a job.

What about getting a sound running vehicle you won't have to mess with for cheap (they're out there) so you can get around, then you can take your time with your bus and not be rushed.

You'll discover that nothing ever goes "by the book". You'll run into a few things that take more time or $$$ than expected. Be prepaired, take your time so you'll be sucessfull.

Oh yea, get the Muir Idiot book. Very helpful and fun to read too :)

Good luck

Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:36 pm

Thanks for everyones comments. They are very helpful. I will try to contact who was mentioned. I have to return to Houston with out the van for a few weeks, to clean up my freinds house in Galveston. Again thanks and man this place is so very helpful. :D

-chloe
~peace~

Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:05 pm

I think someone needs to consider the possibility that Chloe, at this point, does not have the skills, time, workspace or tools to fix her bus on her own and that is no reflection on her but just the reality of the situation. It is easy to advise, "C'mon, you can rebuild it yourself!" but it is probably not true and then she will end up with a box of parts and perhaps hurting herself trying to do repairs beyond her abilities. Then it will cost her alot more money to then have someone put things back together, leaving her discouraged and broke. Not everyone has the propensity to be a master mechanic. We are all wired differently and learn at different rates. This is why it is ideal to buy a bus that does not need major repairs if you are new to working on cars. This way you can learn by starting with maintenance tasks, then maybe replacing brake shoes, pushrod tube seals, and then over time more complex repairs. My advice is to keep looking for a trustworthy mechanic to get you through this rough spot with your bus. Maybe he/she can let you help? Just my thoughts...

Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:40 pm

I have had the same problems as most in the area due to IKE but am lucky in my property secured minimal damage. Things are looking up at this point for me now though.....

IF your so inclined PM me for an honest ( as stated by others who know and have dealt with me) opinion just PM me your contact and info to see if we can schedule a time to check to the bus out together.

Keith