Running on only 3 cylinders

I ran on three for about four weeks and ended up hammering a main bearing. After the needed topend rebuild, it couldn't maintain any oil pressure when warm and had a tendency to overheat on the highway because of the damage. I inferred that due to the mis-balance the case was damaged. That engine now resides in a junk heap (after the good stuff got stripped off).

IMO, park the car and either rent or take the bus.

I once ran on two cylinders (and bald tires) for a month. I just had a mile or two drive to school and back. I junked the car when the passenger seat fell through the pan so I never did find out how bad I wrecked the engine.

Rebecca

I wouldn't do it. Here's why.

The thermostat lives under that side. If #2 isn't working, then the thermostat won't get hot, meaning that the vanes will stay closed, so the left side will overheat.

If your thermostat has been removed, then you might get away with removing the pushrods temporarily.

I would start, however, by checking to make sure that there isn't something here that could be easily fixed. Check the valve adjustment. check the lower head studs for torque.

Consider getting a second opinion from someone with more experience.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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Many thanks Jim and David for your adevice. I have already checked the valve clearances and all seems fine ...however, I've decided to pass on my idea for continued use and follow your combined suggestions of alternative transport for me, and a second opinion for the beetle. Hoping for an 'affordable' outcome..

John

Don't get a GEX engine.

This will cause the engine not to be balanced. Maybe if you disable another cyinder, I do not know which one, the engine would be balanced. I do not recommend this either. But it could go anytime. Can't you order another longblock from aircooled.net and put it on the credit card?

I have to second staying away from GEX.

I have been driving my Beetle on 3 cylinders just a mile and I am hoping I haven't done any damage,