Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 00:24:53 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Low compression, more test results-busaid inying used vans!
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As I have said in the past the most important part of purchasing a used
vehicle is to find out why it is/was for sale. For some reason the
past/current owner no longer wants it!
Since you only had this a few months you now know one reason. I doubt this
"just" happened. Depending on what you paid and how you go about the
conversion and then all the other stuff to follow you too may soon have that
$20K Camper.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 10:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Low compression, more test results
Well, for those who have been following by email thread about making the
mistake of checking compression on my 140k mile original engine
(90-150-100-130) I’ve done some more tests.
1. Valves were zero lash or 1 turn in, no valve noise, timing dead on
2. Manifold vacuum is 12” Hg with ±1” tick (should be steady 17-21)
3. No detectable vacuum leaks (propane test), all vacuum hoses new.
4. 22% leak down on #1, could hear leakage all three places, but
exhaust and intake were louder than the dipstick, with the exhaust being the
worst. (Should have used the decibel meter on my iPhone, but I didn’t want
to get it greasy ;-) ). Didn’t bother testing the others after this result.
5. Does not burn oil (in 1000 miles at least) Plugs that came in it
were clean.
6. PO installed reman AFM recently
7. Idles smooth (as any of them anyway), runs well, no coolant leaks,
but has poor acceleration and poor gas mileage (~15 mpg highway).
Looks like it’s got some leaking valves. No surprise this rig is worn out, I
assumed it was, but I could drive it home at least. I hope I can get a few
thousand more miles out of it so I can save some dough for a conversion!
Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but never for long. I waited until after my
planned summer trips to check the engine condition, so I was blissfully
ignorant on purpose. I’m still planning a couple of fall trips nearby
though. What the hell, I’ve got AAA premier.
Stuart
’85 Westy, purchased in May
