Date:         Thu, 27 Jul 2000 08:00:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Subject:      I'm back and happy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

It's been a while, and many (3-4k) messages were lost, but the good news is
our company has finally replaced the computers in my office and now I can
actually read the list each day!!!

On the Vanagon front:


The T.U.R.D. (totally unpredictable recreational device) has been
performing great lately with only one exception.  The left heater box (ah,
the joys of air cooled cars!) has broke just before the exhaust
flange.  Both pipes are split all the way around.  Looks like I may have to
send Ron some more of my overly hard earned cash.  The brakes scared me the
other day when I stepped on the brake pedal and it proceeded to slowly wind
it's way down to the floor.  This is not a good feeling to have cruising
through down-town.  luckily it was low on brake fluid.  The really weird
part is I was able to refill it, have the brakes come back with no apparent
bubbles in the system, and so far have not found any wet parts on any brake
line or clutch line.  I even pulled the carpeting, westy sub-floor, and
crawled all around the bottom looking for any sign of wet brake fluid and
still found no leak.  Plus in the 2 weeks or so since it happened, the
level hasn't dropped at all.  It must be those damn brake fluid thieves again!

I the decided to drive the westy from Chicago to Cleveland for a business
trip last weekend.  There were no problems and I was able to get 23.3 MPG
doing 68-72 mph the entire trip.  Not bad for an engine with a carb instead
of f.i.!

Now it's time for the true test of any westy.. taking the kids camping this
weekend without mom.. I hope we're up to it :-)

Chris Smith
TURD
THINGY1

"heck, I've got too much stuff, to explain the likes of me."