Engine noise '84 vanagon what to look for when buying

[emptyspaces]

Hello, I am going to look at an 84 Vanagon GL, the owner claims he put it up for the winter last year, and this year it isn't running on all 4 cylinders. He says he thinks its a stuck valve (I have delt with the the old 1600cc. aircooleds, but never with a wasserboxer) Is this possible? I haven't heard it for myself yet. What is a fair price? Where is the rust? Said he replaced the distributor last year because the hall effect switch kicked the bucket. Any info is informitive

Regards,
Tim

[weinerwagen]

Stuck valve? probably not, most likely a bad lifter or no compression

I'm a risk taker, for the right price one could talk me into anything.
Maybe the load on the lifter is too much, some experimentation might be in order but be prepared to do a head or lifter work if you do decide to buy it

900 bucks if the vehicle has good title,
you get those who think they have an oil well in the back seat, give us a good idea what you are working with and we can be better in a ball park figure
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[btlbugtyp1]

i recently bought my 82 aircooled brick with a bad lifter and leaky flywheel seal ...but it was $200 and very nice being from AZ ....ie no rust and all straight ....my only complaint is that the speedo isnt working now .....but it will soon thanks weinerwagen

[weinerwagen]

it's in the mail....

the rear main is easy too. pop the trans, do a clutch while you are there, once that flywheel is off you can do the seal

don't forget the 0 ring on the flywheel

biggest pain I found other than my lower back, was the axle bolts and nuts
PITA.
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[buspor63]

They rust anywhere two panels are joined. The seam rust is a bigger problem than it looks. In my book, a bus with a three cylinder engine is one that could be bargained cheap, shops charge $60HR plus to say hello.

[emptyspaces]

took a look that the vanagon yesterday, very very clean, one small dime sized spot of surface rust on the outside of the passanger rear fender flair. Runs perfect, no knocking, no ticking, just sounds like a 4cylinder vw running on 2cylinders. Apparently the mechanic tested compression, and two cylinders (on one side) are pressureising the intake (ie, valves are not shutting). Underside of engine is spotless, no oil leak, no coolant leaks. Only forseeable problem besides the engine is that its due for tires, and the top or the windshield is cracked. asking $1500, said no less that $1000...I offered $750, he counteroffered $800......good deal?

[btlbugtyp1]

just for $hits ahd giggles you ought to try looseening the suspect valves so they have a little lash and see you get compression back ...it may just be an adjustment .....you may get lucky you never know

[weinerwagen]

[emptyspaces]

what do you mean by less load? backing off the valve adjustment? or less load as in less backpressure from the exhaust system. How likely is this the problem? And if it is a valve or lifter or something...how much $$ (also I am way out of touch with VW parts- I'm still in Rocky Mtn. Motor Works times) Where can I get what I need?

Thanks so much!
Regards,
Tim

[weinerwagen]

back off the load on the lifter,

turn if back a bit
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[r39o]