2.1 Wasserboxer life expectancies

jadranjohn · Post by **jadranjohn** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:56 am

I have a 1997 Vanagon I have just purchased. It has 130,000 miles. I looks to be well cared for mechanically. I am looking for feedback from other owners with this engine as far as how many miles they have and when to expect a rebuild. I am considering breaking the engine open to check things out. Am I just wasting time??

wolfsburger · Post by **wolfsburger** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:53 pm

Check out my post on this forum entitled ' Help Me! I'm Drowning!' Though I am a bit confused...I didn't think there was such a thing as a '97 wasserboxer?

jadranjohn · Post by **jadranjohn** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:23 am

1987 not 1997

wolfsburger · Post by **wolfsburger** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:06 pm

Well that sounds better. Ours is a 90 Caravelle C...but we aren't very happy with it at the moment...if you have checked out my other post you will have seen why.

TIMBERWOLF · Post by **TIMBERWOLF** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 1:31 am

My strong advise would be to NOT open it up! If it is runing Ok and everything is tuned properly 'let sleeping dogs lie!' That engine is cheap to run whilst it is in one piece but like a house, you wouldn't beleive the expense when you start taking it apart!

Things to check - valve clearances, plugs, change oil, have mixture set with an exhaust analyser, and watch for it using coolant/rusty plugs - this might show up the old corroded head syndrome, but if you use VW antifreeze or change the collant EVERY year (corrosion inhibitors in normal antifreeze degrade after~12months thats why everyone says use 4x as expensive VW stuff but it ain't necessary......) this shouldn't be a problem.

Wasserboxers are as tough a s the AC motors, if you look after them. Mine had 250,000+ miles on it when it delaminated it's cam shaft lobes, a full rebuild showed very little wear anywhere else, just a polish on the journals and a glaze bust on the bores and she's good for another 100K!

jadranjohn · Post by **jadranjohn** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:33 am

Thanks for your input Timberwolf. The only concern I have with this engine is the big end of the rods breaking free and punching a hole in the case. From what I read on the net this seems to be a common problem, how common I dont really know.
I plan on picking up one of my kids from University (15hr drive each way) this spring and I am a little concerned.
Heads and water pump were done a few months before I purchased it everything else looks OK. Runs real good.

TIMBERWOLF · Post by **TIMBERWOLF** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:33 am

You sound to have the doom syndrome like me.... any change of noise or slight (imaginary) loss in power and I'm thinking....

heads? overheating? detonation? about to seize?

A little knowledge can give you paranoia!

I would get some breakdown cover and enjoy the ride.

farmer · Post by **farmer** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 12:22 pm

jadranjohn wrote:Thanks for your input Timberwolf. The only concern I have with this engine is the big end of the rods breaking free and punching a hole in the case. From what I read on the net this seems to be a common problem, how common I dont really know.
I plan on picking up one of my kids from University (15hr drive each way) this spring and I am a little concerned.
Heads and water pump were done a few months before I purchased it everything else looks OK. Runs real good.

Do a complete tune up. Use good !!! oil. depending on where you live 10/40, or 15/40 in warmer climates. This is for an older engine.
Use the right cooling fluid, and add a radiator "leakage fix" to the cooling fluid. It helps the anti corosion, and also helps keeping the seals active.

I have a Caravelle C from 1987 with 150.000 miles on the clock. The only breakdown we ever had with it was this Chistmas. My brothers wife drove it to Copenhagen and back (7 hr drive) and she got a tankfull of bad gas. A complete cleanup and the cars was ready to rock again.

it has been doing 7-8 hrs almost flat out driving, when we went south on shows and Holidays, and it just humms away.
T.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:06 pm

Thank thanks for your input Farmer. I think I might open it anyway at least replace rings, bearings, oil pump, and recondition rods, etc. The car is on blocks for winter (Canada). I like to tinker and I am a little bit of a perfectionist as far as mechanical things are concerned (Toolmaker), plus it will give me something to do in winter. Its January 9 and its -32C.

jadranjohn · Post by **jadranjohn** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:10 pm

Guest is Jadranjohn

Post by **Piledriver** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:09 pm

I have 220k miles on my 88, put new heads on at ~200K, new to me at that point.

The cross hatch was still perfect on the cylinders.

Check the compression, oil pressure.

If it `aint broke, don't fix it!

Vgonman · Post by **Vgonman** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:27 am

If you have the time and the money, get your ducks in a row to do a rebuild. Get new heads, new pistons and cylinders, new cam and lifters as well as bearings. Send the case to Boston Engine, and have it inspected to see if it needs line bored. Cut no corners. All in all it will cost you pretty good, but if you do it right, youwill do it once for a long time. Or save up and just get a "big valve" motor from Boston Engine....i have driven it and the tiico, and subie, and it is the most impressive......everything remains stock but the power is night and day.

jadranjohn · Post by **jadranjohn** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 11:34 am

Thanks Vgonman,
But I am doing work myself (its not rocket science). I will replace only what is needed. Any machining work will be done by myself or a local "Canadian" automotive machine shop with speciality machines, for things I cannot do. No need to go to Boston Billy Bob.

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2.1 Wasserboxer life expectancies

2.1 Wasserboxer life expectancies

Year correction

wasserboxer