Date:         Tue, 28 Mar 2000 10:46:46 EST
Reply-To:     Sussmn@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Carol Sussman <Sussmn@AOL.COM>
Subject:      water pump tweeting solution
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

     As the unnamed list member referred to in Ken Wilford's post, let me
share my latest insights:  start your vanagon and then get out and stand
behind it and listen!  Check the old hoses/clamps, including lines behind the
firewall.
     Had I done this I might have noticed the dying water pump bearing noise
before it  gouged away so much of inside surface.  Fortunately the missing
material is on the low pressure side of the volute surface (thanks to David B
for terminology) and shouldn't affect pump performance. (thanks to Ken and
Bob of Boston Engine for tech expertise)
      I would again recommend Ken Wilford for his skill, humor, and tolerance
for amateur mechanics. Also teaching ability and fair prices.
      Replacing the fuel lines was educational; replacing the water pump was
arduous.  I was very glad I didn't try to do that by myself.
      Fuel Lines--- Check these. My '89 Westfalia had several short pieces
that were cracking.  All the old lines were stiffened.  Ken also replaced the
injector seals and all the clamps.
     Coolant hoses----Since we were draining the engine anyway, I wanted to
replace the OEM funky braided cloth hoses & clamps.  Ken removed the old,
very rusty clamps (carefully; so as not to break the plastic coolant rail
that runs along the top edge of the engine compartment) and replaced them
too.
     Then we poured the coolant back in and I learned how to air bleed the
system.  Ran fine; temp normal all the way  home.  Thanks again to Wilford
and family
Carol S Sussman  1989 Westy