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aatheoret Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2025 Posts: 4
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 7:39 pm Post subject: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Hi, I was making my way from Montréal to New Mexico when my engine started acting up after crossing into Tennessee. We were lucky enough to have a retired VW mechanic take a look at it. Looks like one of my cylinders is dead which leaves me with very little power and a little stuck in this hilly landscape.
Does anyone know somebody in the area who could help out? I am still hoping to get this fixed and keep going… we have been stranded for a few days now.
Vanagon 1982, standard, air-cooled, fuel-injection.
We are currently 45min South-East of Nashville.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! |
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8132 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Have you checked the Van Alert app?
https://vanalert.com _________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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tpinthepack Samba Member

Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 845 Location: clearwater,florida
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 2:15 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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These guys are close to you, never used them but the website shows modern cars, and classic VW and Porsche, you may want to call them and see if they can knock out a type 4 engine repair for you.
https://www.nichemotors.com/story
I second the Van-Alert option, that is a great app. _________________ TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne |
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 18593 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 4:03 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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By dead, I’m assuming no compression in one cylinder? That’s a big job and could add up quickly paying someone to do it.
If you could live with being down on power, you could unplug the one injector and continue on. Better would be to temporarily remove the two pushrods, but more work. You’re basically converting to a 3 cylinder engine. Keep an eye on your oil level. Just a thought. |
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aatheoret Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2025 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 5:15 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Yes, I have looked at the van alert app, there isn’t much around. I also was looking into Niche motors, but was told that they did bad repairs on a few cars around here, so I’m not sure what to think since they do have some good reviews as well…
Apparently J-3 restoration is good but months/year wait to get a job done.
Yes the cylinder has no compression, and just the parts + labour seem to be adding up to almost the price of a full motor!
Just for my understanding what is the advantage of unpluging the injector rather than leaving it as it is?
(It is drinking about 1quart of oil every 100miles!) |
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xoo00oox Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2010 Posts: 2723 Location: East Nassau, NY
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 5:39 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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My guess would be that the cylinder head had a valve go bad, possibly the valve seat or guide came loose. There is a very good chance that your engine could be fixed by just replacing that head. The problem is, finding someone nearby willing and able to get into it.
You guys are welcome to come back and camp in my lot again! |
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AndyBees Samba Member

Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2588 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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I suspect your engine has a burnt exhaust valve due to "valve seat" migration.
And, there is a possibility it has a broken compression ring.
Is it leaking oil?
I had a similar situation almost 30 years ago driving up the Alaska Highway. Right after we made it into Alaska, cylinder #1 went totally dead. I knew something was seriously wrong as we were driving across Canada because it begin losing oil at about any point oil could come out.... but, not smoking at the tail pipe.
I managed to get it to a garage in Delta Junction. Both compression rings were broken and the exhaust valve had a burnt spot that looked like a torch had cut it. A local junk yard had all the parts I needed. The owner of the garage allowed me to do the work myself.
Anyway, the engine will have to be pulled out. Due to the fan housing and cooling tin, it is impossible to remove the head with the engine in place. _________________ '84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 4441 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 5:57 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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By disconnecting the injector to the dead cyl, you stop gas from flowing into the cylinder. Since it's not running on that cyl anyway, you are preventing unburned gas from getting into the oil and ruining the oil of the engine with contamination
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Sorry to hear of your engine trouble. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Xevin  Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 8487
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 6:29 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Just want you to have this link, should you feel it would help. Robbie is well known in the Air Cooled circles and a Samba member. He does video consultations. He might even steer you in the direction to a professional in your area who can physically help.
https://www.airschooled.com/ _________________ Keep on Busin'
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
Clatter wrote: |
Damn that Xevin...  |
skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
SGKent wrote: |
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15333 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Randy's VW in Comfort, Texas by San Antonio is about 1,000 miles away but it's on your route and he's probably the most qualified to assess, repair and replace your bad parts.
there is a holiday weekend coming up, but give him a call and see if there's something that you both can work out.
Bonne chance
Dan in NY
rent a Uhaul truck and trailer. still alot of $$$$ but keeps you moving towards your goal.
his advert here in the classifieds for motors
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2666752
Quote: |
CONTACT INFO:
When contacting me by email or phone
Be prepared to leave “YOUR” email and phone number
If not > your inquiry will not be answered !!
VW Engines Air-Cooled Beetle Bus Longblocks and Complete Running ready-to-Install Units
FOR SALE from Randys VW, Comfort,Texas
Basic Components of my 2056cc Long-Block
Original VW rebuilt engine block re-machined to perfection by RC Brown
>> Clean in special Aircraft solution, Replace all 11 Oil Galley plugs
w/ Aircraft quality threaded inserts,
Precision Alignbore to obtain .020” oversize
Original VW 2.0L crankshaft> a perfect original VW unit (regrind .010”)
Original Connecting Rods> Four perfect original VW parts rebuilt
228mm Flywheel resurfaced and balanced
New Oil Pump assembly (CB Performance) & New Oil Cooler
New 96mm Piston and Cylinder Assemblies
New AMC Cylinder Heads
Compression set to 8 to 1 ratio
AMSOILs Special “ENGINE BREAK IN OIL” and oil filter
Shipping/Freight> arrangements and associated cost
are the customers responsibilities..
Located 50 miles NW of San Antonio, TX
210-209-3597 anytime
Quick Notes about the “VW Air Cooled Engine”
By Randy Brown
The engine is fairly easy to remove from the car or bus, and not too difficult to disassemble. But without training that’s where it stops for the do-it-yourselfer.
Rebuilding the engine so that it will have some dependability and longevity is tricky indeed.
You must choose the right parts for your application. You must choose the right machine work for the different components. You must be absolutely certain of your assembly methods of the internal components to get the compression ratio just right. You must be certain that you haven’t created a situation that will cause the engine to run in an overheated condition. You must have the correct carburetion and distributor combination. One of the most neglected procedures is the balancing of the engine. My personal friend that does my balancing also balances aircraft engines and is certified. Most shops will not spend the money necessary for this super-critical operations.
But I do !!
Perfection is what I strive for when building an ALL BRAND NEW long-block..
While working for VW, I always attended the VW training schools when they were available, and at that time in the early 70’s we were taught by VW instructors from Germany. Additionally, I taught myself how to use a vertical milling machine and align-boring equipment so that I could machine all my engine components myself which I still do for myself and other area engine builders. I strive to always rebuild an engine to a point of perfection, so consequently I do not sell used engines or rework old worn out engines of any kind..
Qualifications: The Air Force trained me to work on Nuclear Weapons and I served our Country for four years during the Viet Nam Era..
I turned my first wrenches on a VW in 1969 while in the USAF stationed in England. In 1972 I started working for Volkswagen as a line mechanic at North Loop Volkswagen in San Antonio, TX- and in 1977 I opened my own import car repair shop and I was in business for 20 years..
My knowledge and my labor is what I am promoting, and the satisfaction of helping and educating people about their VW’s. People are more than welcome to visit me at my shop and I will spend and hour or so educating and instructing you about any VW subject you care to discuss.
Regards, Randy |
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Nitramrebrab72 Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018 Posts: 832 Location: France
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Burning 1 qrt/100miles could mean there is a hole in that piston or seized piston rings. If you want to go on. As mentioned earlier disconnect the concerned injector to avoid fuel in the engine oil, and most of all preventing petrol from washing the cylinder wall of oil. A non firing cylinder will wear out in under a thousand miles with unburnt fuel. |
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 18593 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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And removing the pushrods would leave the valves closed. No chance of something “falling” in the cylinder. This is a middle of nowhere get it home solution. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15333 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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I once was on a trip in my old Isuzu trooper and I would have to add oil about every hour or 65miles. took 2cases (24btls) and had 4 left when I got home..
not a great way to go about it, but kept me moving.. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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AndyBees Samba Member

Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2588 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Nitramrebrab72 wrote: |
Burning 1 qrt/100miles could mean there is a hole in that piston or seized piston rings. If you want to go on. As mentioned earlier disconnect the concerned injector to avoid fuel in the engine oil, and most of all preventing petrol from washing the cylinder wall of oil. A non firing cylinder will wear out in under a thousand miles with unburnt fuel. |
Yeah, as I mentioned above in the incident I experienced in 1997, my 2.0 Air-cool was blowing a quart of oil every 1000 miles early on. By the time the #1 cylinder went dead, it was blowing a quart every 100 to 200 miles. The oil blowing was because the two compression rings were compromised. As I remember, the top ring was broke and pieces gone. The second ring down was seized in place. I had it towed 80 miles to where I did the repairs.
The OP hasn't been back since earlier this morning. Hopefully, he'll see the suggestions rather soon and one or more of them will be helpful.
I have a head that I'd donate. _________________ '84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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Xevin  Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 8487
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:53 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Some great things to think about for the OP up above.
Again, your situation may not be the same as quoted below. But might be handy for future readers.
KentABQ wrote: |
On the way back from BBB, I ran into a slight problem.
She had been running GREAT for 575 miles.
Then... she lost power and made a rattling noise.
With help-via-text from Robbie, we were able to find the problem...
The #3 exhaust value decided to take a break.
By removing the rocker assembly, pushrods, spark plug and injector plug, I was able to limp home on 3 cylinders.
Oh, and a couple guys in a splitty suggested wrapping a wire around the broken end of the valve to keep it from being sucked into the cylinder.
Time for some head work.
Big THANKS to Robbie for his support when I was stuck in the shoulder of I-40.
Even with this problem happening, it was definitely worth the experience of getting to BBB again! |
_________________ Keep on Busin'
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
Clatter wrote: |
Damn that Xevin...  |
skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
SGKent wrote: |
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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aatheoret Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2025 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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These are all great advices, I will have to weigh my options. I think I might have a lead with a retired mechanic in the area, he seems to be willing to drop the motor and do the repairs (but thats about 2weeks for parts and labour). Also greatly appreciate the generosity for parts donation, i’ll see if it can come in handy!
Sorry to see these posts so late in the day, it has been hectic putting together new plans and running away from storm warnings. For anybody else who breaks down in the area, there is a fb group called Music City Air Coolers with a lot of great people in Nashville! |
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aatheoret Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2025 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Also regarding the oil, I don’t think it is a leak but the motor is burning oil. I have this nasty blueish smoke coming out of the exhaust when it is revved - probably because of the faulty cylinder? I always had a similar issue, just not to this extent… |
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AndyBees Samba Member

Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2588 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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Do you know which cylinder that has lost power?
Also, if I remember correctly, my head has the rectangular exhaust ports. I'm thinking there are two different styles. Someone in the know can clear this up.
My head has all new guides and valves. It was fly cut .020 if I remember correctly. I had them both rebuilt which included seat repair on one of the heads. I never liked the looks of the seat repair job. But, I did run the heads about 1000 miles. Then, I replaced them with new AMC heads from some place in the PNW. That was about 25 years ago. These rebuilt heads have been in the boxes that the new heads came in all these years. I don't need them.
But, if these heads do not match your Heater Boxes, well, they're of no value to you.
Anyway, if you can use them, they are yours. However, I am not sure how would be the best way to get them to you. I live over 4 hours from Nashville.
Oh, and you should pop off the valve cover to take a look at the rockers as others have suggested... this could be a simple fix if the rockers are in fact the issue. _________________ '84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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Nitramrebrab72 Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018 Posts: 832 Location: France
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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aatheoret wrote: |
Also regarding the oil, I don’t think it is a leak but the motor is burning oil. I have this nasty blueish smoke coming out of the exhaust when it is revved - probably because of the faulty cylinder? I always had a similar issue, just not to this extent… |
What can happen with air-cooled engines when they start to burn too much oil is that the burnt oil doesn't fully burn, it turns into a sticky tar sludge that cakes up in the piston ring grooves keeping them stuck, no longer able to follow the cylinder wall, it then makes its way into the small bearing lube hole, via the oil scrapper groove holes and then bungging up the oil scrapper piston ring oiler holes . |
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Abscate  Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 23633 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 12:35 am Post subject: Re: Broken down in Tennessee - looking for help |
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At 100 miles per quart/liter of oil you need to stop running that motor so you have something rebuildable left. Price out used short blocks and it will be 10X cheaper to Uhaul/flatbed it to the repair spot. _________________ 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊 |
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