Date:         Fri, 14 Jul 2000 00:14:39 CDT
Reply-To:     Alli Dahlin <treetop_84@hotmail.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alli Dahlin <treetop_84@hotmail.com>
Subject:      Good trip, but BAD news follows
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Hi all,

Took the van out to Colorado for a week long trip and it did very well.  The
only problem we had was having to buy new tires in Denver after one tire had
a bad leak, one tire had a nail sticking out of it, and the other two were
really worn.  Ended up getting the Michelin's, and the van handles so much
better now.  No more almost getting blown off the road by light wind!

One question I have is about the temp gauge.  On the way to Colorado in very
hot weather, the temp gauge stayed pretty steady at the half way mark.
Coming back to Minneapolis was a different story.  The needle would be at
half, but then would climb to just shy of 3/4.  It would stay there for a
bit, and then go back to 1/2.  It did this continually the whole drive back,
and in cooler weather.  Is this OK, or does there seem to be a problem?  My
VW mechanic said this was OK, but I seem to trust the knowledge of the list
over anyone.

Also, at what point should the radiator fan kick in?  Should it always come
on after driving for a while, or not?  Mine only came on a few times the
whole trip.  I just got a new radiator a few weeks ago too.

Now for the BAD news.  While driving, there was this knocking sound.  When I
was driving it sounded like it was coming from the passenger seat area, and
when my friend was driving, it sounded like it was near the drivers seat
(she thought the opposite).  It definetly sounded like it was coming from
this area though.  This only occured after driving for a while and was an
off and on occurance.

Took the van in for an oil change when we got home and had the noise checked
out.  Mechanic said the front end checked out OK, but it sounded like a
rotational engine noise, possibly the cam gear.  This is not good.
He told me to get a second opinion, which I am trying to do tomorrow.  If
this is the problem and I need a new engine, is it bad to drive the van
until it dies?  Would there be any other damage I would do to it?  How do I
know when the engine is about to give out?  Will the noise get worse, or
will it just happen?

I just bought this thing 3 months ago, have put $3000 in to it, and have
gotten two trips out of it.  I'd like to get maybe a few with-in-towing-
distance trips out of it, before it has to go into storage and probably sit
there for a few years before I can afford a new engine.

That is my saga.  Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,

Alli
'84 Westy "Treetop"

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