Re: [T3] Newbie w. a couple of questions

[Steven Ayres <comwest@att.net>]

<x-flowed>Mackenzie=> I've been told by my mechanic that I need to look into
=> rebuilding my engine (something about bolts that cant be tightened
=> anymore, causing me to get horrible horrible gas mileage and less
=> than stellar power in 1st & 2nd).

A mechanic telling someone that s/he needs a rebuild is one of the more 
common motivations bringing people to this list. You are in the right 
place.

It may be that you have some head studs coming out, which would cause 
some loss of compression; but these symptoms could also be simple stuff 
related to timing. You may have one of the good mechanics, but be aware 
that very few mechanics, even those who have been working on VWs for a 
long time, are up on the special needs of Type 3s. (This is not us 
wiseguys asserting superiority, it is just fact.) So my first approach 
would be to determine that you have a good diagnosis.

Your mechanic may have already answered two questions:
* What were the results of the compression test?
* Did he actually put a torque wrench on the head studs, and at what weight?

If head studs are your real problem, you may be able to get those fixed 
without opening up the case. But this problem indicates that the 
previous rebuilder may not have been as careful as you would like, so 
going farther with it might be wise.

There are various options for rebuilds, particularly in SoCal. Be aware 
that less money means less quality, to the point where certain 
well-advertised shops are also well known for product failures. The most 
reliable result will come from someone with lots of experience, and it 
will take valuable time, which costs money.

The difficulty of finding body parts varies with the part: some are 
easy, some are very hard. Be specific and ask here first.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
66 343

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