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Farf
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2009
Posts: 463
Location: Colorado
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 Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Hi Steve, glad to hear the pool is warmer. Shipping an engine block to Colombia looks nightmarish. Cost of engine, cost of repair parts and cost of shipping equals cost of a decent 2wd Westy. So with that in mind and much info gleaned from the sages on the samba, I'm choosing to do a complete top-end rebuild including rods and bearings. Its ironic that a short notice round-trip ticket to Bogata from NYC is only $483.00. I hope my brother doesn't mind 22 transfers and 48 hours of travel time. (kidding) It´s about a 7 hour journey for him. One question that I could not find an answer for, can all of this be done without pulling the engine? I've had the exhaust system out, so it should'nt be a problem to remove again. Any other hints or advice is appreciated. In preparation for a long stay at our campsite I went out a bought a toilet seat, seems these things are a luxury item around here.
Mike |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1357
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I would at least investigate buying local and just having the work done there. There is so much VW presence in Latin America that whatever you need should be easily available, even if it has to come from Brazil. (I'm assuming you speak Spanish. If not, more difficult.) |
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Rhinoculips
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 918
Location: Keystone, Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Californio wrote: |
| I would at least investigate buying local and just having the work done there. There is so much VW presence in Latin America that whatever you need should be easily available, even if it has to come from Brazil. (I'm assuming you speak Spanish. If not, more difficult.) |
Our beloved vanagon wbxr engines will not be found in South America. They have a completely different beast. Thus any unique vanagon parts will have to come from the U.S. This being the case you should save yourself time and just import all needed parts.
_________________
“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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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1357
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Farf
Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2009
Posts: 463
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Here´s the update. My brother flew into Bogata with the necessary parts, connecting rods, bearings, pistons, cylinders and gasket kit. He managed to avoid customs which turns out to be a good thing as it clearly states on the customs form NO AUTO PARTS allowed. I had posted a question previously asking if this work could be performed while the engine is still in the van (No reply). The short answer is yes and we did not even have to jack the van up. We had to make a small press for the wrist pins out of 3/8 all-thread, some washers, nuts and a socket, it worked very well, about 15 minutes per pin. We assembled the motor at the campsite while dodging rain storms, it took us about 4 days to complete the major work including changing the water pump while we were in there. Another day or so bleeding air from the cooling system, adjusting valves, clean up etc. I would like to thank all of the people on The Samba who contribute to the technical forums, without this information I think I would still be lying in the mud. Next, on to Ecuador and Peru.
Thanks, Mike |
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Rhinoculips
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 918
Location: Keystone, Colorado
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| Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Whoot! Good to hear everything went smooth. I was quite curious to how much hassle customs was going to give you. Auto parts can be tricky coming through the bureaucracy.
Keep us posted on how she runs through out the remainder of the trip.
_________________
“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
Click to view image |
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VisPacem
Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2007
Posts: 1143
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 3:19 am Post subject: |
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| Farf wrote: |
Here´s the update. My brother flew into Bogata with the necessary parts, connecting rods, bearings, pistons, cylinders and gasket kit. He managed to avoid customs which turns out to be a good thing as it clearly states on the customs form NO AUTO PARTS allowed. I had posted a question previously asking if this work could be performed while the engine is still in the van (No reply). The short answer is yes and we did not even have to jack the van up. We had to make a small press for the wrist pins out of 3/8 all-thread, some washers, nuts and a socket, it worked very well, about 15 minutes per pin. We assembled the motor at the campsite while dodging rain storms, it took us about 4 days to complete the major work including changing the water pump while we were in there. Another day or so bleeding air from the cooling system, adjusting valves, clean up etc. I would like to thank all of the people on The Samba who contribute to the technical forums, without this information I think I would still be lying in the mud. Next, on to Ecuador and Peru.
Thanks, Mike |
Congratulations 
I am glad that you made it at the least possible expense and trouble.
Please if you can post a few pics or give us a URL where we can follow your trek.
Your experience might be invaluable to others planning a similar trip. Would be nice to get three. four or more and just do it
Thanks for the post.
_________________
LG aka VisPacemPB, *The* party Pooper
No Regrets (Nothing to do with Vanagons) |
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