GoWesty engine failure thread collection or tell me your story!

[Boas]

Trying to piece together links to the various threads on here about GoWesty engine failures and how GoWesty treated the owners. If you know of good threads describing this, I'd be grateful if you'd post them here.

Here's what I have so far:

"Official" GoWesty Feedback Thread numerous sad tales here, especially from the user inkysocks:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=553183

GW engine failure
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=486550

"nuclear meltdown phase" - the OP is on second GW motor (first one failed and was replaced) and documents their experience with a 2.3.L Installed new pistons and rings on the engine, drove 10k miles and experienced major problems, not much help from GoWesty on all this:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=358928


Thread about people's experiences with GoWesty engines:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371981

Thread about gw wbs, some people say they like them:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8873378

Thread on GW ECU. Some commentary on engine failures - one user reports getting total of 4 years out of his GW engine.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9503688

Thread in which customer of new GW 2.45 discovers oil in the coolant reservoir. OP does not report back experience with gw or outcome.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9197158


GW headgasket failure. Ran hot, coolant leak from start, less than 5k miles on engine, then overheated, GW refused to pay or repair
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702365



OK, that's what some searching around has turned up. I'd be interested in any stories you'd like to share about your experiences.
I'll be posting my own experience soon, but would like to read up on how others have been treated when they run into problems with GW WBs.

THX
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1987 Vanagon Weekender
2450 cc GoWesty engine
GoWesty EFI

[skemems]

I would be also good to hear GW engine success stories. I have a friend with about 70k miles on his his GW 2.2 engine, replaced about 10-12 years ago.
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87 VW Westfalia - EJ25
86 VW Westfalia - EJ22
85 VW Westfalia - WBX 2.1 project

[PDXWesty]

Yeah...I' don't know what the point of this thread is. There are so many factors involved in an engine replacement and most of the time you're only getting one side of the story. Why would you spend so much time trying to put this together? What's your story?

I have over a 20 year history dealing with GoWesty and have nothing but praise and complements. They have a good business and practices. Unfortunately, many vanagon owners have unrealistic expectations when dealing with their vans.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[markswagen]

as much of a GW fan as l am, this is a pointless thread, there are far more engines out there that are running strong, than there have been failures.
there are always going to be failures with any engines, especially ones pushing further, than the engines were designed.
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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[Boas]

Hi, sorry, I should have explained my reasoning. Here it is.

Whenever people post issues they've had on here, other members always come back and say "there's tons of threads out there about this, do your research." In some of the threads I listed, members reply with exactly that. But, in fact, when I went to do the research, I found some threads (posted) but not "a ton of threads."

I've had a pretty dismal experience recently, which I will indeed explain, but would very much like to be sure I've seen what's out there so that I am able to place my own experience in context.

I'd also just say that "this is a pointless thread" is not such a great response -- if there are problems with the way GW is responding to engine issues, it is useful to know that. Why would collecting information about that be useless?

To the comment that "there are far more GW engines out there that are running than there are failures" - goodness, I hope so. If the majority of the engines GW sold were failing, that would really be impressive. Even so, if there are, say, a large number of failed engines (and I'd say 10% would be an exceedingly large number, though of course we would never be able to figure out a percentage) and if GW is not very good at addressing those issues, that is certainly something worth identifying.

Thanks for any contributions people are willing to make.
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1987 Vanagon Weekender
2450 cc GoWesty engine
GoWesty EFI

[veedubzzz]

I have very limited context or knowledge aside from receipts from the last two owners of my syncro - but it had a 'new' gowesty engine installed approximately 10 years ago I think it was either the smaller displacement or one step up. I can't recall from memory.

It was then sold after installed to the person I purchased the van from. In two years after the gowesty engine was installed he put approximately 65k miles on it (which I think was beyond the warranty allotment) and it began having issues which led to a decision to convert to a Bostig (RG3). I'm not sure the exact nature of the failure I wish I had those details but the previous owner didn't share that with me. I feel it was likely moderately neglected. I generally have heard good things about the gowesty engine. They should be quite good for the amount they charge for them. I feel if I had been in his shoes, I would have expected a bit more life from the gowesty engine especially being installed so close to his purchase of the van.

I think most folks would have the expectation it would last at least a bit longer than the warranty period if cared for well.

I'm hesitant to post this as I don't have any misgivings toward gowesty and generally feel their products are good and they contribute positively toward the VW van and camper community.

[Syncronoid]

Describe your experience and we can move forward from there.
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[Abscate]

Probably belongs in feedback, or at least a link to it from there.

Every single ( vendor) engine will fail

65k on a Bus engine absolves the vendor of issues, that’s on the owner /maintainer
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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[tjet]

I was looking at your previous postings regarding your GW engine along with their EFI system. Are you still having running issues?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714672

[Boas]

[tjet]

So your GW engine is running good? I'm asking because I may get one later on, but my current RJE 2.2 wbx is still running fine.

[ALIKA T3]

Hi Boas!

Are you J.P from Hi?
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Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[Ahwahnee]

[snoop]

In 2006, GW installed a new 2.4L. Had main seal leak within ~500 miles. Shipped it back to GW at their expense. They fixed it at their expense and shipped it back to me at their expense. While the van was at GW, Lucas contacted me with an offer to install a rebuilt DX 5-speed with a generous trade-in for the stock (~150K miles) 4-speed at a price that would be three times it today, if a DX trans could even be found. I jumped at the opportunity, requesting that a Peloquin TBD be added, which was done.

Haven't had any issues with either the engine or the transaxle ever since. I'm very impressed with the performance of both in fact.

Every interaction with GW hasn't been positive, but almost all have been, and this, the biggest and most important, well, other than purchase of the van itself...from the pre-GW Professionally Engineered Products Co....have been extremely positive.
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87 Westy Camper

[t3 kopf]

I've had good and bad with go westy. Ive had products that have been lifesavers (like the foil replacement harness), and i've had products that were straight sh**. I have had one of their employees publicly insult me and basically call me a liar in a facebook group after one VERY dangerous failure of one of their products that they have since redesigned. Even so, i'm surprised that this thread hasnt been locked. This is a business that gives people a living. They also do legwork to keep our vans on the road and in some cases make them safer. I dont think this whole business should be publically bashed and shamed for the individual failures that naturally come with ANY business who does what they do. If you had a bad experience, work it out personally with them. It they screw you over, stop doing business with them. Have you ever screwed up something at your job? Do you think it would be fair if every time you screwed up at your job, someone kept a publicly available detailed account of it?
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[ALIKA T3]

The 2.2L is fine from GW, it's anything OVER 2.2L that has issues with pistons majorly.
The Vanagon is a small world, even more so between shop owners. There's stuff you won't find on the internet but it's there and it's discussed about....
I won't be caught dead buying anything over a 2.2 from GoWesty.
Well, heck, I buy my 2.2L elsewhere now, easier to deal with shipping, reduced costs etc...
If I would go the EFI route, I'd go the Mansi Speed way.
I have actually a full turbo engine coming soon from him. Something about the way he works I trust more

I'm pretty sure this van is the one I inspected in Hi, waiting for confirmation.
Leaky jacket seals, low mileage (how far can you go on a island daily....). Just that alone wasn't cool....
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[blyhigh]

I put a GW 2.4 engine into my '89 Syncro Westy in 2006. Ran it many times from one end of the country to the other. Replaced heads after 100k and seals 10k later. Change the oil religiously and it still runs like a top.
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'89 Syncro Westy