Date:         Tue, 11 Dec 2001 05:29:33 -0500
Reply-To:     HAP <goeire@WEBTV.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         HAP <goeire@WEBTV.NET>
Subject:      Fwd: Re: Mexico and Vanagons
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

Some spare parts are readily available for Vanagons in in Mexico.  My
water pump failed once near SLP and the local dealer obtained a new one
from Mex DF and had me on the road again in much less than 24 hours.
The parts and labor charges were much less than a US shop would have
charged.

On  another trip my new (remanufactured) NAPA clutch disc disintegrated
about 30 miles from a dealer, or any repair shop.
A phome call got me a grua (wrecker) for a tow to a dealer who had just
closed at noon (Saturday).  The guard phoned an independent shop for me
and gave the grua driver directions.

My Vanagon was then pushed by several hands backwards onto a front end
alignment pit.  With a few instructions from me the txmn was soon
removed.

I was then taken to a local FLAPS by the shop owner's brother in his
nice VW bug where I purchased a new clutch kit.

New clutch was installed and 4 small Mexican men easily lifted the txmn
into place (no txmn hoist available).

Again, the cost for grua, parts, and labor was astonishingly low and
down time was minimal.

In summary, after 3 extensive trips from Florida to many parts of
Mexicio, I have not found lack of Vanagon parts to be a problem.  Most
shops are thoroughly familiar with local VW products which have many
similarities and in many instances use the same parts as our Vanagons.
The quality of work was also excellent.

I hope to make my 4th trip to Mexico in my 84 Westy,  now a 1.9 TD, in
Jan/Feb 2002.

I hope this helps you to decide to go and have a nice trip.

Harry  Patrick