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Re: is it worth replacing an engine?
Michael G. McCarthy
I agree your block's a little long in the tooth. I like the engine with 81K
much better, but there would have to be assurances that the block really does hit 175 and the top end is quiet. If you have a manual transmission, now's the time to do the clutch if it hasn't been done within the last 50K (if you have an automatic, I wonder if Plan C makes the most sense). If you are going to pull the entire engine, it become economical to do other things too (eg, new boots for the half-shafts, new coolant hoses, and other soft parts too) and that's just not the case when just swapping a head, which is all the more reason I like the 81K engine. ---------- From: Mark Kumler <kumler@...> To: ev_update@... Subject: [ev_update] is it worth replacing an engine? Date: Sun, Sep 16, 2001, 8:55 AM I was driving my '93 MV from southern California to the S.F. Bay area, where I intended to leave it with in-laws while I headed off to New Zealand for a year. It was a hot (*very* hot) day, but the van had recently had a major tune, was performing wonderfully as usual, and I plowed through the Central Valley with the AC on. After a lengthy lunch break (when the engine should have cooled down a bit), I hit the road again. But within 10 minutes the AC faded, I lost considerable power, and I barely made it off the highway before a t-valve in the cooling system blew and -- as I would later learn -- the head was irreparably damaged. My boys loved the ride in the tow truck and the unexpected Sunday (or course) evening in a hotel pool, but I hated the news the next day that it would be several days and several hundred dollars, at a minimum. After several trans-Pacific phone calls and nearly 8 weeks, I hear that it'll be $2200-$2500 for a new head, piston rings, etc. For an engine that already has 150,000 miles on it. I'm trying to decide whether to a) repair it, b) buy and have installed a newer engine ("81,000 miles, compression: 175") from an unknown dismantler I found on the web, for about the same total price, or c) sell it for parts and buy a newer (but still used) one when I return to the States in a year. Any suggestions? Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <> . |
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is it worth replacing an engine?
Mark Kumler
I was driving my '93 MV from southern California to the S.F. Bay area, where I intended to leave it with in-laws while I headed off to New Zealand for a year. It was a hot (*very* hot) day, but the van had recently had a major tune, was performing wonderfully as usual, and I plowed through the Central Valley with the AC on. After a lengthy lunch break (when the engine should have cooled down a bit), I hit the road again. But within 10 minutes the AC faded, I lost considerable power, and I barely made it off the highway before a t-valve in the cooling system blew and -- as I would later learn -- the head was irreparably damaged.
My boys loved the ride in the tow truck and the unexpected Sunday (or course) evening in a hotel pool, but I hated the news the next day that it would be several days and several hundred dollars, at a minimum. After several trans-Pacific phone calls and nearly 8 weeks, I hear that it'll be $2200-$2500 for a new head, piston rings, etc. For an engine that already has 150,000 miles on it. I'm trying to decide whether to a) repair it, b) buy and have installed a newer engine ("81,000 miles, compression: 175") from an unknown dismantler I found on the web, for about the same total price, or c) sell it for parts and buy a newer (but still used) one when I return to the States in a year. Any suggestions? |
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Expression of grief from around the world
Madeleine Dewar
This page takes a VERY LONG time to load because there are so many pictures
even with my fast DSL, but I'm very moved by it and thought some here might also be interested in seeing it. For any pictures that only show a red "x" in a box, right click and click on "Show Picture." BTW, a few pictures down there are two pictures from "Inside the Volkswagen Autostadt Company in Wolfsburg, Germany ." Peace, Love and Serenity, Madeleine |
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Re: middle bench seat
Jan Hart
Thanks, Jim. I'll keep looking locally.
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--Jan ----- Original Message -----
From: Jim F Kelly To: ev_update@... Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 6:40 PM Subject: [ev_update] middle bench seat Hi Jan: Sorry, but I do not have a middle bench seat with the camper. Regards, Jim Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. |
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Re: New MV owner can't open gas cap!
Did you use the right key? When we were closing the
deal to buy the EV, we tried the gas cap to make sure everything was working and we couldn't get the gas cap off either. The sales assistant tried, no luck. Turns out we were using the glove box key, the sales guy was new and didn't know. Hope this helps.. --- gatorkate30@... wrote: Hello, __________________________________________________ Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help? Donate cash, emergency relief information |
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Poll results for ev_update
The following ev_update poll is now closed. Here are the
final results: POLL QUESTION: Are you the owner of a 5-cylinder engine Eurovan with an automatic transmission? If so, please rate your satisfaction with the transmission according to how much maintenance it has required. CHOICES AND RESULTS - Very happy-- no maintenance yet, 13 votes, 56.52% - Satisfied-- 1 or 2 problems, easily repaired, 5 votes, 21.74% - Unsatisfied-- major repairs needed, 4 votes, 17.39% - Very unhappy-- had to replace entire transmission, 1 votes, 4.35% - Disgusted-- sold the van or retrofitted with 5-speed, 0 votes, 0.00% INDIVIDUAL VOTES - Very happy-- no maintenance yet - dela@... - zeph_1999@... - stormep@... - jimhmc@... - rkbowman@... - lefthandy1@... - boleyd@... - rwcleary@... - lowhoho@... - nkaps@... - fredsaulus@... - westenburg@... - dngherring@... - Satisfied-- 1 or 2 problems, easily repaired - gibbonsnc@... - elgartk@... - highrpm@... - bleggis4@... - cvh@... - Unsatisfied-- major repairs needed - rowley@... - George.Mehallick@... - dvanulden@... - marcelv@... - Very unhappy-- had to replace entire transmission - framp1@... - Disgusted-- sold the van or retrofitted with 5-speed For more information about this group, please visit For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit |
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Re: egr valve reset
Al,
I had the same problem in June of this year with our '97 EVC also. The yellow check engine light came on and wouldn't reset. Turned out the problem apparantly was related to a weak, dying battery which finally died completely a few weeks later. Soon as I installed the new battery, the check engine light reset and hasn't come back on since (except on start-up when its supposed to come on to verify its working). If you're still on the original car battery, perhaps you're experiencing the same problem. Good luck. Sheldon '97 EVC --- In ev_update@y..., Al Ferguson <eurovan97@y...> wrote: Long time lurker, first time poster...Messenger |
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FW: range of a battery
Michael G. McCarthy
oops......typo. Should be:
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And, although the ignition fires more the faster the engine spins, it *ISN'T* much of a drain ---------- From: "Michael G. McCarthy" <mgmccarthy@...> To: ev_update@... Subject: Re: [ev_update] range of a battery Date: Sat, Sep 15, 2001, 8:39 PM Faster does not mean bigger drain. The fuel pump runs constantly irrespective of vehicle's speed, and that's the major current draw on your electrical system. And, although the ignition fires more the faster the engine spins, it's much of a drain (a bigger drain is the electric fans, and I would think you could maximize the effective range or your battery by finding the optimum speed where the fans cycled as little as possible). At some point, long before the ignition dies, my guess is the fuel pump would fail to deliver sufficient fuel pressure, and that would be the end of your ride. (When I was in college my Rambler's generator -- not alternator; generator -- died and I made the dash from Columbus to Cleveland on battery power alone, and of course that old car had NOTHING electrical but the coil. I remember putting the car in reverse and killing the engine.....the backup lights were enough to kill the ignition. IOW, the ignition required very little actual current.) Bottom line? I think you can drive as long as your fuel pump can maintain adequate system pressure, and I would think you won't get much if any warning when that's about to fail. I think you could go at least two hours though. ---------- From: "Tom Wilds" <wildst@...> To: <ev_update@...> Subject: Re: [ev_update] range of a battery Date: Sat, Sep 15, 2001, 8:04 PM 2 hours at what speed? The faster you go the bigger the drain - yes ? I would also think that at some point, long before dead, there would be insufficient power to create the spark, and drive all of the other electrical components. I also assume that all controllable electrical things were off. I had a old diesel rabbit and got about 20 miles after the alt. went and then sat for a while.. ----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael G. McCarthy" <mgmccarthy@...> To: <ev_update@...>; <ev_update@...> Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 7:38 PM Subject: [ev_update] range of a battery My wife Kathy is back from San Jose today, flying thetwo-hour delay. I drove the EV sans serpentine belt to the airport (about 20 milesthe engine 5 times. When we got home, and I put the charger back on, itlooked as if the battery was at least 75% charged. Not bad. I would say if youof drive time on a good battery (mainly for the ignition and the fuel pump,in the day) before you'd need to recharge. That's a pretty good safetymargin imo. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <> . |
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Re: range of a battery
Michael G. McCarthy
Faster does not mean bigger drain. The fuel pump runs constantly
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irrespective of vehicle's speed, and that's the major current draw on your electrical system. And, although the ignition fires more the faster the engine spins, it's much of a drain (a bigger drain is the electric fans, and I would think you could maximize the effective range or your battery by finding the optimum speed where the fans cycled as little as possible). At some point, long before the ignition dies, my guess is the fuel pump would fail to deliver sufficient fuel pressure, and that would be the end of your ride. (When I was in college my Rambler's generator -- not alternator; generator -- died and I made the dash from Columbus to Cleveland on battery power alone, and of course that old car had NOTHING electrical but the coil. I remember putting the car in reverse and killing the engine.....the backup lights were enough to kill the ignition. IOW, the ignition required very little actual current.) Bottom line? I think you can drive as long as your fuel pump can maintain adequate system pressure, and I would think you won't get much if any warning when that's about to fail. I think you could go at least two hours though. ---------- From: "Tom Wilds" <wildst@...> To: <ev_update@...> Subject: Re: [ev_update] range of a battery Date: Sat, Sep 15, 2001, 8:04 PM 2 hours at what speed? The faster you go the bigger the drain - yes ? I would also think that at some point, long before dead, there would be insufficient power to create the spark, and drive all of the other electrical components. I also assume that all controllable electrical things were off. I had a old diesel rabbit and got about 20 miles after the alt. went and then sat for a while.. ----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael G. McCarthy" <mgmccarthy@...> To: <ev_update@...>; <ev_update@...> Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 7:38 PM Subject: [ev_update] range of a battery My wife Kathy is back from San Jose today, flying thetwo-hour delay. I drove the EV sans serpentine belt to the airport (about 20 milesthe engine 5 times. When we got home, and I put the charger back on, itlooked as if the battery was at least 75% charged. Not bad. I would say if youof drive time on a good battery (mainly for the ignition and the fuel pump,in the day) before you'd need to recharge. That's a pretty good safetymargin imo. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <> . |
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Re: New MV owner can't open gas cap!
Tom Wilds
Once you get it off with the key, and it takes a little fiddleing the first
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couple of times, you can set it so you don't have to use the key. 2000 EVC ----- Original Message -----
From: "plthe" <plthe@...> To: <ev_update@...> Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 8:06 PM Subject: Re: [ev_update] New MV owner can't open gas cap! If it's like ours you have to put the key in it and turn it--can't remove it without the key actually in the gas gap. Lee Th 97 EVC PaloAlto, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: gatorkate30@... To: ev_update@... Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 4:53 PM Subject: [ev_update] New MV owner can't open gas cap! Hello, We are the excited new owners of a 2001 MV. The 1st time my husband tried to put gas in he couldn't get the cap to unlock. He put in a call to our salesman who tried to talk him through it, with no luck. We bought the van out-of-town so we couldn't run over for help. We do have a local dealer but the service dept. is closed until Mon. I'm hoping someone in the group has a tip that will get us rolling. Has anyone else had this problem? Any and all help would be appreciated. Other then this issue, we love our new van. Warm regards, Kate Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to |
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Re: New MV owner can't open gas cap!
I second that.
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Marty S. plthe wrote: If it's like ours you have to put the key in it and turn it--can't remove it without the key actually in the gas gap. |
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Re: New MV owner can't open gas cap!
plthe
If it's like ours you have to put the key in it and turn it--can't remove it without the key actually in the gas gap.
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Lee Th¨¦ 97 EVC PaloAlto, CA ----- Original Message -----
From: gatorkate30@... To: ev_update@... Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 4:53 PM Subject: [ev_update] New MV owner can't open gas cap! Hello, We are the excited new owners of a 2001 MV. The 1st time my husband tried to put gas in he couldn't get the cap to unlock. He put in a call to our salesman who tried to talk him through it, with no luck. We bought the van out-of-town so we couldn't run over for help. We do have a local dealer but the service dept. is closed until Mon. I'm hoping someone in the group has a tip that will get us rolling. Has anyone else had this problem? Any and all help would be appreciated. Other then this issue, we love our new van. Warm regards, Kate Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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Re: range of a battery
Tom Wilds
2 hours at what speed? The faster you go the bigger the drain - yes ?
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I would also think that at some point, long before dead, there would be insufficient power to create the spark, and drive all of the other electrical components. I also assume that all controllable electrical things were off. I had a old diesel rabbit and got about 20 miles after the alt. went and then sat for a while.. ----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael G. McCarthy" <mgmccarthy@...> To: <ev_update@...>; <ev_update@...> Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 7:38 PM Subject: [ev_update] range of a battery My wife Kathy is back from San Jose today, flying thetwo-hour delay. I drove the EV sans serpentine belt to the airport (about 20 milesthe engine 5 times. When we got home, and I put the charger back on, itlooked as if the battery was at least 75% charged. Not bad. I would say if youof drive time on a good battery (mainly for the ignition and the fuel pump,in the day) before you'd need to recharge. That's a pretty good safetymargin imo. |
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New MV owner can't open gas cap!
Hello,
We are the excited new owners of a 2001 MV. The 1st time my husband tried to put gas in he couldn't get the cap to unlock. He put in a call to our salesman who tried to talk him through it, with no luck. We bought the van out-of-town so we couldn't run over for help. We do have a local dealer but the service dept. is closed until Mon. I'm hoping someone in the group has a tip that will get us rolling. Has anyone else had this problem? Any and all help would be appreciated. Other then this issue, we love our new van. Warm regards, Kate |
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Re: A/C Compressor
Michael G. McCarthy
Steve at europarts-sd.com has the long belt (and maybe the short belt too).
Not sure if he can get the short one to you faster than your dealer but it might be worth a call. ---------- From: tommc@... To: ev_update@... Subject: [ev_update] A/C Compressor Date: Sat, Sep 15, 2001, 7:18 PM Michael, I have a serpetine belt, got the compressor off and sure enough it was locked up and the bearing on the clutch was ground up too, now if I can just get parts. The VW dealer in town is looking to see if he can get a belt for it, not using A/C, I'll just leave the compressor off, otherwise I'll have to wait. Thanks. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <> . |
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range of a battery
Michael G. McCarthy
My wife Kathy is back from San Jose today, flying the
not-as-tense-as-you'd-think-friendly-skies-of-Delta, after about a two-hour delay. I drove the EV sans serpentine belt to the airport (about 20 miles away) and was asked to move three different times, which means I cranked the engine 5 times. When we got home, and I put the charger back on, it looked as if the battery was at least 75% charged. Not bad. I would say if you ever lose your alternator (ie, if the alternator itself fails or for some reason you lose the serpentine belt) you could expect at least two hours of drive time on a good battery (mainly for the ignition and the fuel pump, in the day) before you'd need to recharge. That's a pretty good safety margin imo. |
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A/C Compressor
Michael,
I have a serpetine belt, got the compressor off and sure enough it was locked up and the bearing on the clutch was ground up too, now if I can just get parts. The VW dealer in town is looking to see if he can get a belt for it, not using A/C, I'll just leave the compressor off, otherwise I'll have to wait. Thanks. |
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Fluid on top of Power steering filler?
I'm doing a little work on the '93 MV this weekend.
I noticed fluid on top of the power steering filler. Is this a sign of bad things to come? so far no problems with the steering or no unusual noises. Steve Lashley SKL Enterprises Inc. 636-797-9015 636-789-2127 fax |
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