The day has come...

[childofthewind]

...to hear the words "engine rebuild" from my mechanic. I was on my way for a hike with a friend (van was in the shop for what I thought was a pesky lifter that wouldn't quiet) when I got the phone call saying that it was not a lifter. nope, not a lifter but something that I should throw $4,000-5,000 toward: an engine rebuild.

a few days have passed and my shock has now morphed into a deep sadness and so now I turn to you for some advice and support.

i know a couple things: i'm not ready to give up Esther. i know i shouldn't be so attached to a thing but i truly am attached - to the van itself and everything it represents. i'm just not ready to let go of that way of being in the world. i also know that i will go into debt regardless of what a i decide to do about the engine, which is why i'm turning to you.

if money were not an issue, i'd be open to a conversion of some sort. but money most certainly is an issue so i'm thinking sticking with the stock waterboxer 2.1 makes the most sense. what i'm wondering though is if rebuilding the engine is necessary (my mechanic thinks i should go this route) or if finding a used 2.1 and having someone instal it would be just as smart.

what do you think? do you have experience dealing with this situation? do you have a used 2.1 in good enough condition to make it worth my while (in the Portland, OR area)? what would you do??

crazy how these things can break you heart in a matter of seconds.

thanks, everyone.

VG
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[hans j]

Have a friend here in SLC with a nice running 2.1 out of his syncro he isn't going to use. Used engines are always an option.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[insyncro]

Vanistan

[photogdave]

For that kind of $$ I'd go for a Vanistan or RJE 2.2.
For not that kind of $$ I'd look around for a good running 2.1 and drop it in.
With all the nice helpful folks in the PDX area I imagine you could make it happen on the cheap. Maybe someone will want to tear down your old motor in their spare time and see what's what.
Buy a few rounds at the next PDX meet and see what happens!
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Gizmoman]

So sorry to hear the news. Did your mechanic offer any details on the issue?
There are so may bits in the classifieds (here) I would think what would need replacing could be had fairly inexpensively.

Keep us posted and let us know if you get some details . With all the great folks here, there may be a way to keep it going.
_________________
82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

[GWTWTLW]

You should be able to find a used 2.1 for under a thousand. Maybe give Ashley a call. He usually has a few on consignment.
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

[insyncro]

I have a bunch, but are on the other side of the country.

[Mundopacheco]

Did you get a second opinion? That said, I'm sure you have a known good mechanic you go to regularly. We just pulled a nice 90 2.1 for a Subie conversion. It's sitting at my shop. I kept it for 400.00. It was running nicely when removed. If you can make it to Durango, Colorado, I can swap it in there for you for the cost of the engine and we can take care of all the other little details, like CVs, etc. As far as lodging, I don't have room for you, but I have several girl friends who would happily have you. We would have you finished and on the road in just a few days.

[plummerdesign]

The bus is going through a mid-life crisis. The needed therapy can be very costly but some of the sticker shock can be averted.
What was the diagnosis on your engine? Is it still running?
If not, changing out engines is simple but time consuming. As mentioned here already- a decent used engine can get you through (and amen that we live in an area with many to choose from). Things will work out, remember when your gearbox needed help while you were in mid-trip?
.
Cheers,
Jeffery

(Westfalia travel / camping videos at YouTube link below)
_________________
It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9

[boof1306]

One thing is for sure, if you are to spend 5k with your mechanic you need to know what you are getting for that top dollar. It seems that for that money you can get a rebuild from one of the trusted wbx specialists. Used engines are a craps shoot, if you install it and find it needs head gaskets (or worse)the price difference will quickly be eroded. Did your tech tell you what he had found with your engine? What noise did it have? When was is loudest, temp, rpm?

[childofthewind]

[childofthewind]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

My engine is still running. In fact, I had been driving it normally until the day I brought it in to be checked out. I had never lost power, oil was a tiny bit low (like half a qt) and temp stayed normal. The only thing was the loud lifter noise that starts up after being started for a minute or so and doesn't go away. I think I'd know more if I just left my van there so he could open it up.. but I kind of freaked out and had to drive it a couple miles down the road to my house to do some thinking.
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville

[childofthewind]

[carterzest]

My Vanistan motor comes 11-15 and I will have a good running used 2.1 available shortly after that time, though, I am not sure which 2.1 it will be as I have not decided the recipient of my new motor yet Give me a call Luka.
_________________
Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[randywebb]

must be lots of motors in PDX - people remove working ones all the time for conversions

Remember, the name of the Van is Esther, not the engine
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[SCM]

Depending on how well you trust your mechanic, perhaps a second opinion is in order? My first car (74 Super Beetle) had fairly large chunks of metal in its oil every time I changed it, 4 times a year for the 5 years I owned it. Of course that motor died soon after I sold it - I attribute that to heartbreak though.

If the motor is toast, I echo the sentiment to buy a used motor off of whoever you think is providing the best motor if that is your budget. If you have more budget, and can be patient enough to wait, I would go for a Vanistan.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[vanagonjr]

Does you van have an oil pressure gauge on it? If so, what are the readings?
Metal bits in the oil does not sound good, but if it is from the valve train and not bearings, you might have some luck on your side.

(PS - sent you a PM, check your inbox)
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[djkeev]

You really need to find out WHY your mechanic wants to rebuild the engine.
Bad Rod Bearings?
Worn Camshaft?
Worn Rings?
Burned Valves?
Low Oil Pressure?
??????????

Don't just blindly say "yes sir!" Get some facts, numbers, test results.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[redlinedave]

Whats a Vanistan?
_________________
1985 Country Homes VW van 1.9L

[Jake de Villiers]