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Date:         Sun, 13 Aug 2000 22:48:05 -0400
Reply-To:     John <johnpatt@warwick.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John <johnpatt@warwick.net>
Organization: PattonSystems International
Subject:      Re: 89 syncro westy ac saga continues
Comments: To: Mick Kalber <hotlava@interpac.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Mick Kalber wrote: > > HELP! > > Have replaced nearly everything in the ac system and it still isn't cooling.

Hi Mick & List,

Regarding the reliability and durability of the Vanagon WBX, here is my spin.

1) Recently someone posted that at 140,000 miles their "worst nightmare" appeared---yes, Headgasket leakage! I wondered just how long should the sealing integrity of the heads remain before needing resealing? Isn't 140,000 miles enough? Why is this a "worst nightmare"?

2) I've written the list before on this point. A PRIMARY contributor to the shakey Vanagon WBX reputation is who's performing the repairs and service. Recently Ron Salmon of TBD wrote a distressing story of how his Vanagon was mistreated & mauled by a so called European specialist. The smartest thing Ron did was to stop the "specialists", put his motor in a a box and tow it home. Now Mick in Hawaii has paid to replaced most of the primary A/C system components and still can't get cold air! If his "specialist" can't fix an R12 system in Hawaii he should sell his tools and give up!

3) While not overly complex, the Vanagon requires specific product knowledge to carry out repairs and service correctly. I suspect that not near enough VW techs were trained for the number of units sold. Since learning as you go doesn't pay "Gravy" flat rate, untrained, Lesser qualified techs or the shop "Grunt" got the Vanagon work and the workshop "Hot Shoe" got the better paying repair work. The Vanagon cooling system should be pressure-checked each time the vehicle is serviced but rarely is. So the chance of detecting a hidden leak or a ballooning hose is slim to none.

Regards, John

I still contend that much of the bad reputation of the Vanagon WBX lies in the hands of the so-called "specialists" who have not taken the time to self-educate on how to care for this unique and versatile vehicle!


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