Push rod tube installation - How about a screwdriver?

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fancy pants
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Push rod tube installation - How about a screwdriver?

Post by fancy pants » Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:37 pm

I thought I would post some photos of my pushrod tubes, which Colin and I pulled on Tuesday. Despite having just had them replaced by a well-respected Portland shop, they were gushing oil. Here is what we found...

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Rather than banging the new ones in with a screwdriver, Colin showed me a much subtler method, using an upside down socket and pliers...

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John
76 Bus - Riviera
81 Mercedes 300TD
05 Golf TDI

Gone but not forgotten:
1972 Bus
1973 Squareback


We are not going to stick anything that dirty down in your hole - Colin, 6/30/2010

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:41 pm

Nothing a little silicone wouldn't fix.

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fancy pants
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Post by fancy pants » Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:47 pm

Yes, it seems that my poor engine is being held together by silicone...
John
76 Bus - Riviera
81 Mercedes 300TD
05 Golf TDI

Gone but not forgotten:
1972 Bus
1973 Squareback


We are not going to stick anything that dirty down in your hole - Colin, 6/30/2010

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dhoch14
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Post by dhoch14 » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:12 pm

oh please tell us what shop did this. I wanna know!!!!
93 VW T4 2.4D Cali

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fancy pants
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Post by fancy pants » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:20 pm

Trafton's...

My first inclination that there may be a problem was the zip tie sticking out of one of the tubes when I picked it up. I went back there today with the tubes and Bill (who is one of the most honest people you will ever meet) was emphatically apologetic. He gave me all of my money back, plus the money for new tubes (plus a cooling flap assembly). Unfortunately, Bill no longer does his own work and his mechanics are not worthy of his reputation and integrity. I have had problems on just about every repair that they have done, although, to be fair, Bill always stands behind it and does his best to fix the problem. I don;t want to bad mouth the guy, but it is probably something the Portland folks should be aware of...
John
76 Bus - Riviera
81 Mercedes 300TD
05 Golf TDI

Gone but not forgotten:
1972 Bus
1973 Squareback


We are not going to stick anything that dirty down in your hole - Colin, 6/30/2010

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IFBwax
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Post by IFBwax » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:49 pm

Two reasons why I stopped going to Traftons...

1) The distance was just too far.. took all of my morning to get anything done there

2) His workers who appeared sloppy and utterly disinterested under the hood.

I have the highest regard for Bill though.. as a mechanic and as a man.
The best navigators aren't sure where they're going until they get there. And then they're still not sure.

Frank Bama

http://www.partypickle.blogspot.com

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covelo
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Post by covelo » Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:25 pm

IFBwax wrote:Two reasons why I stopped going to Traftons...

1) The distance was just too far.. took all of my morning to get anything done there

2) His workers who appeared sloppy and utterly disinterested under the hood.

I have the highest regard for Bill though.. as a mechanic and as a man.
I see a great business opportunity for the PDX VW Maintenance and Engine Rebuilding Collective.
‘80 Vanagon Westfalia - 54,400 miles
'91 Toyota Pickup (4WD long bed) - 199,960 miles
1987 Alfa Spider Veloce - 166,400 miles
2017 VW E-Golf - 5,600 miles

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:09 pm

IFBwax wrote:2) His workers who appeared sloppy and utterly disinterested under the hood.

I have the highest regard for Bill though.. as a mechanic and as a man.
His name and his business. He should do it right or not do it. Managing people is a tricky business and some of us are better suited to it than others.

Covelo, are you proposing an AIC garage/complex in Portland, soon to branch out across the globe via us disciples.

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Gypsie
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Post by Gypsie » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:35 pm

I don't have to wash anyone's feet, do I?
So it all started when I wanted to get better gas mileage....

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midatlanticys
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Post by midatlanticys » Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:45 am

chitwnvw wrote: Covelo, are you proposing an AIC garage/complex in Portland. . . . . . .
Great idea! an analog version of this forum including the essential walk-in beer cooler!

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IFBwax
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Post by IFBwax » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:22 am

midatlanticys wrote:
chitwnvw wrote: Covelo, are you proposing an AIC garage/complex in Portland. . . . . . .
Great idea! an analog version of this forum including the essential walk-in beer cooler!
I don't know who this new guy is.. but I like him.
The best navigators aren't sure where they're going until they get there. And then they're still not sure.

Frank Bama

http://www.partypickle.blogspot.com

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fancy pants
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Post by fancy pants » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:46 am

I am in, as long as the collective's first project has something to do with getting rid of my oil leaks...
John
76 Bus - Riviera
81 Mercedes 300TD
05 Golf TDI

Gone but not forgotten:
1972 Bus
1973 Squareback


We are not going to stick anything that dirty down in your hole - Colin, 6/30/2010

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Randy in Maine
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Post by Randy in Maine » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:11 pm

I think I would invest in some new pushrod tubes if these cannot be made whole.

No rough edges please.

Try using Locktite 565 or a "liquid teflon" from the plumbing isle of Home Depot on those seals.
79 VW Bus

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fancy pants
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Post by fancy pants » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:24 pm

Thanks Randy. I did end up replacing these with new tubes and fresh seals
John
76 Bus - Riviera
81 Mercedes 300TD
05 Golf TDI

Gone but not forgotten:
1972 Bus
1973 Squareback


We are not going to stick anything that dirty down in your hole - Colin, 6/30/2010

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Amskeptic
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Post by Amskeptic » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:33 pm

I might have to make this engine my first IAC Collective Dammit It Shall Not Leak if I do a Lexus cross-country jet over the winter to get two transaxles rebuilt at Darryl's.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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