Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 01:20:01 -0800
Reply-To: Jonathan Lee <jrlee@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jonathan Lee <jrlee@MAILANDNEWS.COM>
Subject: Re: last questions on 84 Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
t wrote:
> Ya never know.
> Did you do a compression test on it?
Having one done tomorrow morning.
> Did you look at the coolant tank after it warmed up? Are there any
> bubbles?
Er, um, I'll advise the mechanic doing the pressure check to look for bubbles.
> Did it start right up cold?
Fired up fine.
> Do all the electrics work?
Not really. The essential electrics do (e.g., headlights), but the dash
lights are weak, and the light over the speedometer area doesn't work at all.
The radio also doesn't work. Think this is symptomatic of a larger problem,
or would it perhaps be simple to fix? I'm not averse to clipping a flashlight
on the dashboard . . .
> If you fill it with gas, does it smell like an oil refinery?
Haven't filled it yet. There was about 1/2 a tank in it when I drove it
today. No unusual smells.
Incidentally, it drove wonderfully on the freeway. Engine was a bit noisy at
65 and 70, quiet (as quiet as could be expected) at 60. Does driving the van
slower actually help ward off evil spirits?
> Do you have to double pump the brakes to make it stop?
Nope. Brakes responded wonderfully -- I even had the opportunity to slam on
the brakes at a last-minute stopsign. I was impressed.
> When you checked the oil, is it black? Is it full?
It's full, and a little dark. It's not turned as black as the oil used to in
my (deceased) '89 Mazda 323.
> Are there real tires on it? Load rated 6 plys?
Tires look good. I don't know if they're 6 plys, but they're something more
than regular passenger tires.
> Coolant costs (iffum you do it yourself) about $30.
For now, I won't be doing it myself. So, I'm guessing $90 with a mechanic
doing it. Soud reasonable?
> I drive my '84 from San Jose to Emeryville twice a week or so... 120
> miles round trip. At 70-72 MPH.
Once again, probably more stressful driving than I'd anticipate. I guess that
I average 200 miles per week. Some of it *is* stop-and-go traffic (makes me
afraid of the overheating syndrome that another lister mentioned).
best,
Jon
---
Jonathan Rhodes Lee
jrlee@mailandnews.com
