Sambanista help needed in Colombia

[Farf]

Yes, that Colombia, we are traveling in an 86 Syncro Westy with a stock 2.1L motor. When we started the van would use about 1/2 quart of oil per 1000 miles. In the past couple of weeks cruising around Columbia the oil usage increased to 1/2 quart per tank of gas. With this increase came poor performance and #2 sparkplug fouling to the point that it would not fire. Performed compression test. Results #1- 125, #2 - 70, #3 - 123, #4 - 115 respectively. (It took 5 days to find someone with a compression gauge.)

Additional info:
1. New heads both sides 15K miles ago.
2. Small amount of smoke/vapor when cold, not noticeable when hot.
3. Coolant level decreases about 1 cup per tank.
4. No visible oil in coolant, no visible water in oil.
5. Very oily exhaust port #2 cylinder.
6. #2 exhaust valve spring top (disc where adjuster hits) slighty fouled.
7. Oil warning light/buzzer going off (not constantly)
8. On the flats no performance issues, slight hills 3rd gear, forget it.
9. 200k miles on vehicle. Don't know if bottom end has been touched.

Not sure what else to check or do to indentify parts needed for repair. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Negative comments about Central/South America are not helpful at this time. I have an opportunity to have parts flown here quite quickly (brother visiting), hoping you guys can help.

Gracias, Mike




[/b]

[Alaric.H]

Sounds like the next step should be a leak down test.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=409450&highlight=

[Farf]

Thanks for the reply. Not sure anyone around here has the test equipment. I'm in a fairly remote area about a 4 hour bus ride from Bogata. I don't want to risk driving the van that far as it is. I spoke with my brother, he's thinking he will fly down with all the stuff needed for a complete top-end rebuild. I know this sounds excessive but we still have another year or more put aside for our trip and don't want to end it because of this. I will keep you guys posted about the outcome. Suggestions and advise are still very welcome.

Mike

[Farf]

Alaric H. I posted before I read your link about leak down testing. I do have a compressor with a gauge attached and I have a fitting that I think I can adapt to the sparkplug hole. I'll try pressurizing the cylinder tomorrow with the valve cover off and listen for leaks. It would be nice to narrow down the source of oil in the cylinder.

Thanks again, Mike

[Californio]

Not sure if it helps given your distance from Bogota, but here's a link to mechanic listings: http://www.encolombia.com/CARROS/TALLERESDEMECANICA/Mecanicabogota.htm

¿Donde esta Larry Chase cuando necesitamos?

AND Parts and repair shops specializing in VWs in Colombia (all in Cali, Medellin, Bogota, though--where are you?)

Cl 72 A 20 C-71
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 3476800
Fax : (57) (1) 3478900
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... original de fabrica y mas de 12 marcas a nivel de taller general contiene funciones matematicas y funciones ... diagnostico original de fabrica oem 11 data scan especializado en vehiculos europeos equipo especializado para ... vehiculos comerciales diesel mercedes renault volkswagen y citroen entre otros gracias a su nueva tarjeta ...
AUTOTOOLS LTDA.

SERVICIO WOLKSWAGEN0
Cr14 21-31
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 8851330
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LA CLÍNICA AUTOMOTRIZ VOLKSWAGEN0
Cl 19 A 23-60
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 3345720
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VOLKSWAGEN EURO ALEMÁN0
Cr69 C 94 A-26
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 2532136
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EUROVOLKSWAGEN0
Cl 32 65 A-6
Colombia - Antioquia, Medellín
Teléfono(s) : (57) (4) 2659734
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SUPER VOLKSWAGEN0
Cl 130 45-63
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 6152867
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SERVICIO ESPECIALIZADO VOLKSWAGEN SANTIAGO ARAGÓN0
Cr28 B 66-56
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 2500987
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TALLER DISA VOLKSWAGEN - SKODA0
Cl 37 32-24
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Palmira
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 2735537
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TALLERES SUPER VOLKSWAGEN0
Cl 70 72-80
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 4300855
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TALLER VOLKSWAGEN0
Cr64 B 74-37
Colombia - Antioquia, Medellín
Teléfono(s) : (57) (4) 2576985
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AUTOTEKA S.A.S920
Repuestos y accesorios para Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Audi, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Fiat, Chana, Chery y Hafey. Servicio a domicilio de repuestos sin costo adicional. Se aceptan todas las tarjetas.
Cl 23 3-07
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 8881282,(57) (2) 8881797
Fax : (57) (2) 6807324
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GERMANIA MOTORS620
Volkswagen, Automovíles nuevos, Autos Usados, Taller Volkswagen, Repuestos Volkswagen, Space Fox, Crossfox, Gli, Nuevo Gol, New Beetle, Jetta Europa, Jetta Trendline, Jetta Turbu, Bora Exclusive.
Cl 29 # 43A-29
Colombia - Antioquia, Medellín
Teléfono(s) : (57) (4) 3549797
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GERMANIA MOTORS S.A.

AUTO PARTES VOLKSWAGEN CÍA. LTDA.920
Repuestos Originales - Gol - Golf Polo - Jetta - Audi - Skoda - Accesorios y Partes Volkswagen.
Cr27 A 66-96
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 2256762
Fax : (57) (1) 3110712
Celular : (57) 3164735713
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AUTO PARTES VOLKSWAGEN CÍA. LTDA.

EUROCARVAJAL S.A.S790
Mantenim. Audi Volkswagen Skoda Seat.
Cl 75 69 Q-66
Colombia - Distrito Capital, Bogotá
Teléfono(s) : (57) (1) 3114887
Celular : (57) 3102458769
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EUROCARVAJAL S.A.S

VOLKSWAGEN R.W750
Importación directa - venta - reparación - accesorios - Volkswagen - audi - Escanersde servicio especializado - Sscane.- Aurutarizado.
Cr 17 # 18-69
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 8881475
Fax : (57) (2) 6833223
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VOLKSWAGEN R.W.

TALLER LUCHO VOLKSWAGEN0
Cr11 19-77
Colombia - Valle del Cauca, Cali
Teléfono(s) : (57) (2) 6804679
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¡Buena Suerte a usted!

[thummmper]

amazing

[Pascal]

[Farf]

Was able to drive to Villa de Leyva last night. Nice town to be stuck in.
I was able to rig up a leak down tester using the rear spare tire pumped up to 70 psi as my constant pressure source, the hacked off end of a plastic clutch alignment tool, a red hot paper clip about .04¨ diameter to poke holes in plastic clutch tool piece for the orifice and gauge tap. Used an athletic ball inflation needle and the tubing from a can of fix a flat to back feed into compressor for my pressure readings, a whittled down wine cork and a tapered cap from a tube of sealant. I was lucky to have carried some spare vacuum and fuel line tubing.

Test Results:

#2 cylinder @ TDC and valve adjusters completely backed off.

70 psi in, 15 psi @ cylinder head. Not good. Repeat same results.
No bubbles in coolant tank. Lots of air out of crankcase breather hose. About 78% loss.

As a reference and verification of the apparatus I tested # 1 cyiinder.

Test Results:

70`psi in: piston rapidly went into a downstroke. Reset piston @ TDC locked motor in position and re-tested. Gauge approached 56 psi before my contraption blew apart. I am assuming # 1 is ok.

So, it looks like blown rings in # 2, if I'm not correct please let me know.

Thanks again, Mike

[Pascal]

[dobryan]

[tclark]

would it not be easier for brother to bring down a re-man short block rather take a chance on a mistake on rebuilding internals on the road ..
>#1- 125, #2 - 70, #3 - 123, #4 - 115
and those number are kinda sad..
r & r a motor is a day for regular vw mech maybe in you env might be 2 days but seems like it be fool proof & you got a nice broken in heads from your previous tear down ... and then you have no worries the rest of the trip
esp with the 2.1 rod know to have died at your mileage
seems like a no brainer to me
_________________
89 Westy with TDI AHU 1.9 manual lots of mods
85 GL 1.9, auto (for sold)

[nomados]

I don't see why you couldn't do a rebuild where you are. Core charge is something to think about too. Parts are easier for Bro to bring down/ bring back compared to a longblock/ core.
There's a lot of excellent rebuild threads here on the forum, if that's an option.
_________________
'86 Westy auto
'84 Westy 4 spd previous
'75 wing, watercooled boxer 4 motorcycle.

[morymob]

Lots o grey areas here , unknown eng internals at 200K, Trustworthy wrench ?.who will be doing work? Me, i would try to see if brother can fit a short block at least in his carry-on, minus heads and maybe an added new water pump, no flywheel.

[Californio]

When you figure in the cost of an RT ticket from US to Bogota at the last minute, my guess is it would be cheaper to take it to a shop. You're really going to pull that engine in the central plaza of Villa de Leyva? Yes it's a nice place but...presuming your Spanish is fluent, I'd start making calls...

[vwlovr]

[Farf]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I too am concerned about the bottom end. Balancing risk/cost is quite difficult with the unknowns that I have. The local mechanics are all very nice and helpful but large hammers and Sawz-alls are quite prominant at their shops. So with that in mind, I'm thinking that I will purchase a complete rebuild kit with enough extras to patch up #2 piston/cylinder drive South and enjoy, get to Bogata find a decent shop and I have them, with the parts I will provide take care of the re-build. Other than the motor disintegrating on the way down and because this is the plan I've come up with, I sense something is amiss, anyone want to take a stab at poking holes in this, and me if you want (ouch, wide open), a little humor helps in situations like this.

Thanks, Mike

[Californio]

One question, you drove this from Colorado to Bogota? That's deserving of some kind of award right there.

My experience with mechanics in Latin America (not a lot) has been that they do improvise, but also that because VW's are so common there, you're likely to find someone who knows boxers inside and out. Compared with, even, mechanics in the midwestern states here.

[Farf]

Californio, yes we left Colorado on Nov. 1 and drove down through Mex. and Central America. Shipped van from Colon, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia. We hope to make it to the southern tip of South America and return in one piece. We still have about 1.5 years to get this done. In reference to my last post, my brother poked big holes in my plan regarding rebuilding the bottom end, so I'm exploring having a rebuilt long block sent down. I hate to spend the money and not get the motor I really want but I would really hate to end up in a much worse situation. As some Canadian travellers we met said, 'things can deteriorate rapidly'.

Thanks, Mike

[Rhinoculips]

Mike,

Do you have a blog or website on your travels? I always love reading about VW travels. A few years ago, I rode my motorcycle from Colorado to Tierra del Fuego. Many thought I was crazy for riding through Colombia, the so called kid-nap capital of the world. Colombia was one of my favorite countries. Very friendly folk.

You may want to check into the import restrictions. Importing car parts can be very difficult and/or costly. Used parts can be even more of a pain.

Fair winds and following seas,

Lobo Rojo
_________________
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey

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[ranchero]

Mikeguyver,

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes. If there there is any way I can assist from Salida I would be happy to. Too bad I sold my longblock awhile back.

Steve

PS. Tell Trish that the water coming into the pool is at 104!
_________________
'90 Westy Syncro EJ25 (money pit #1)
'96 FZJ80 (cheap by comparison^^)
'13 Golf R. Daily driver.