TheSamba.com :: View topic - '82 diesel vanagon, advice on possible rebuild

Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:43 pm

I recently purchased a 1982 1.6 Diesel Vanagon with 75k on the O.D. It went through two pre-sale inspections and it was found that there is an unusual amount of oil sputtering from the oil filler cap. One pre-sale inspector said that it was likely a valve cover gasket, he also said the compression was excellent in all the cylinders. Another pre-sale inspector said that it was from back pressure from the crankcase from a blown ring, further more needing a rebuild (no oil in the air filter area). I was shocked!

Now here is my questions:
-Does it sound like it needs a rebuild?
-Is it more worth dropping a new 1.9 TDI in it?
-Will it appreciate in value the more I do to it?
-Should I just sell the effing thing and look for an already more reliable vanagon? javascript:emoticon(':cry:')

Thanks

Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:20 am

Hello:

If the compressions have a printed resulted,I would trust themmore than the guesstilation of the second inspector.
It might just be a clogged breather on your valve cover.

Bye!

Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:10 am

Check for white goo in the crankcase ventilation lines and then just run it.

Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:30 am

I hope you have something as simple as a blocked breather. The easiest way to check is to disconnect the breather with the engine running, rev the engine and see how much blow back comes out of the engine. If it is lots of dirty, 'air' then chanced are the engine is toast. It is a quick and reliable test, all be it crude. The problem with the rings / bores being worm is all that 27:1 compression goes down into the crankcase and causes one of to things - it pushes all the oil out of the filler cap, followed by the engine going bang, or it pushes all the oil through the breather which causes the engine to run on the engine oil and you have a run away until bang.

So, hopefully a blocked breather.

If not then there are options that can really help you enjoy your westy, think of it as an upgrade.

Easiest is a 1.9na - direct swap, don't have to fabricate anything - better power, not lots of power. This is cheepest and can be done easily by a shop.

Next easiest is the AAZ 1.9 Turbo diesel - a small amount of work - custom exhaust, sometimes modifing engine mount, custom air intake. Reasoanble power, works better with a transmission upgrade to the 80-83 transmission. Either do it yourself or specialist conversion shop.

1.9TDi IZ, AHU engine - electronic diesel - much more work. Do it yourself or up to $18k in a good shop.

If you are heading into this world, join the yahoo diesel group - lots of help there including a nut by nut guide as to how to convert what you have to an AAZ (files section)

Engines available from Quality German Autoparts.

Regards

Mike
'82 Westy diesel

Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:08 am

Oil cap gaskets "harden" up over time. As well, after this many years, the clips that hold the cap are stretched. My minimum recommendation would be to replace the cap.

My other recommendation would be to replace the timing belt and at the same time replace the cam, crank, and intermediate shaft seals. Replacing the timing belt also requires removing the valve cover, so a new gasket and seals should tighten it all up.

When a diesel wears out, it is most noticeable on cold starts and oil consumption. If yours is starting easily and not using an excessive amount of oil, you should be good to go for now, but start saving money for an overhaul or upgrade at some point if you intend to keep it.

Sounds like a nice van.

Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:23 am

Everyone seems to point to the breather hose. Where exactly would I find this on the engine? Remember I am a newbie...