In my study of Vanagon geriatrics, I've had some surprises, both good and bad.

I tend to steer to the side of fix it when it breaks, or if possible, when it looks/sounds like it's about to, so I pretty much know how much life a part has given me.

My van has 360,000 miles on it. I am still using the original: large hoses, though I had to cut the end off of one of them last summer. alternator seats, though I had the driver's seat recovered a year or so ago. body panels - I live in AZ and don't believe in rust. Poptop seal and canvas. Fuel tank and lines Front bumper Door handles and locks and ignition switch.

I'll continue this list later, with those items that were replaced after long and satisfactory service.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Finkbiner" <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2000 9:36 AM Subject: Preventive Maintenance?

> Volks - > > This recent incident with my headlights got me to thinking again about > preventive maintenance. Bulley has suggested that it makes sense to just > replace parts when they are at the end of their normal lifespan instead of > waiting for them to break. > > On the surface, that sounds good, especially for a vehicle like my '87 Westy > that is used mainly for trips out of town, vacations, etc. It's a lot more > of a headache to break down in Challis, Idaho than two blocks from my > mechanic. > > But - how far can you take this without being foolish? We don't have the > option of buying a new Vanagon every two years! > > I have replaced most of my fuel lines, flushed all of the fluids, checked > the brakes, checked the electronics with a digitool and have a spare ecu. > > If you owned the van, assuming that everything else is original (I'm at > least the fourth owner, so who knows)what would you consider just replacing > at 165,000 miles? Nothing? The fuel pump, alternator, AFM, coolant lines, > master cylinder, power steering pump, headlight switch, ignition switch? > > More generally, I think it would be interesting if we could put together a > list of things that knowledgeable vanagoneers think should be replaced at X > miles. There is bound to be a lot of disagreement, but I would love to hear > the discussion, and see if there is some consensus. > > If this generates useful stuff, I will put together a summary document and > post it. > > Thanks! > > - Mike Finkbiner > '87 Westy > Moscow, ID > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com >