Possible Stuck Valve, repair/cost advice needed ASAP!!!

[jake37]

I am looking at buying a bus that is currently running on 3 cylinders. The bus is a 77 with a stock engine. The owner told me that when he ran a compression test it was fine on all cylinders, except for #3 where it was 0. He also said that when he took the valve cover off the intake valve was stuck and that it was a simple fix.

I was hoping you guys could tell me kind of a best-case/worst-case scenario as far as fixing the stuck valve. He made it seem as if a $40 gaset kit was all that was needed, but won't I have to replace the valve and possibly the head? Any input and advice is appreciated, but ballpark $ figures would be nice.

Thanks
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Amadeus the 1978 Westfalia in Dakota Beige

[Wildthings]

You will need head work most likely. Depending on the quality of work you ask for it will run 200 to 500 dollars per head. If your head isn't repairable it could cost more.

[jake37]

How much work is the stuck valve itself? Could it have caused damage elsewhere? The bus has been sitting for several years if that makes any difference.
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Amadeus the 1978 Westfalia in Dakota Beige

[Wildthings]

Not very likely it is a stuck valve. You probably have a valve seat that has worked loose and fallen out holding the valve open.

[jake37]

If this is the case am I looking at potential piston and cylinder damage?
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Amadeus the 1978 Westfalia in Dakota Beige

[Wildthings]

Yes

[towd]

is the vlave stem stick up higher than the others or is it lower... VW's don't get stuck vlaves,, neither don't Honda 250 R's.....

you want a low ball ya 200 bucks,,,,, on that motor,, no such thing as a 40 $ gasket...pay someone to do the 200$ fix it will cost you 1200.... worst case 4000 .....The worst mistake people asking this type qusetions about buy a Bus is they seldom ever give the asking price on the Bus

[jake37]

I figured it was going to be a big range like that. As for whether is is higher or lower I think it is higher as he said "stuck open". The bus is a 77 Riviera, fairly complete, only a little rust under windshield, and otherwise in decent shape. I can get it for $1000 delivered to my house. I'm weighing it in my head right now, but I hate buying something with such uncertainty.
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Amadeus the 1978 Westfalia in Dakota Beige

[Randy in Maine]

Probably not a bad deal at $1K.

This would be an excellent opportunity for you to learn how to do a little engine work and find out how rewarding it is.

[Wildthings]

IMHO a non running bus for $1000 better be in pretty nice condition otherwise.

[Jeff Geisen]

... agreed. If the bus cannot be test driven, anything else that could possibly need repair just might;

Transaxle
Clutch
Brakes
Electical
Heating system
Suspension & steering
A host of other engine issues...

If a bus can't be driven or at least started, I consider it a parts bus. I suppose it all depends on how optimistic you are.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

[atmellovw]

When a seller tries to claim something is a simple fix, don't believe them. If it was so simple they would have done the fix themselves.
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1972 Westy ("Bubbles") - Pastel White - 1700(1974 MT) - Dual Solex

[EZ Gruv]

[Holset]