Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 00:03:48 -0500
Reply-To: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Terry K." <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject: Re: True Grit---
In-Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>'s message of Mon, 27 May 2002
22:31:48 -0500
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII
Stanley,
I don't think you struck any fear into anyone-----
They just think your nuts----
However I will make a comment regarding purchasing a Van from list
memeber's, as I did, and please allow me to state this does not reflect
at all upon the majority---
I did purchase a Westy from a list member---- and yes he did have
receipts,someof the Vans history, and it was a pleasnat
experience----and I felt at the time it ws a good deal---
But after havinng the vehicle for about two months I have found there
was a lot more incorrect with the vehicle than was disclosed, and I
don't know, or am not sure if there was any intented colusion
involved--but it has cost me considerably more than originally
intended----
Not double, but at least half again as I payed----and I still have a few
more items to be dealing with, until I am satisfied, that all bases are
covered---and I'm happy with the vehicle as a whole---
I am real picky,I like things to look like nw, as welll as operate, and
function the same way, and this may be my downfall finacially---but this
is my choice---
I saw on your web page the ridiculas amount you have spent on your
Westy---and I think your wacky also----
But this right now is the path I have chosen, and so be it----
One thing I do know the Westfalia is a lot more resonable in the long
run than Fem Fatals----and I know there is going to be some smoke on
that statement----but it is a fact of life----
So unzip the matress, and keep the enconomy rolling, by spending the
cash on the never ending Vanagon Money pit---
" if you want to be happy for the rest of your life, buy a Vanagon, and
pretend she's your ugly Wife---"--:>)
Later,
TK-----
E-mail message originate by Stosh---
It was not my intention to strike fear in the hearts of every Vanagon
and Westy owner with my statement about spending your purchase price
again within a year of buying your vehicle.
I've never purchased an Air Cooled Vanagon and Westy from a list member
and most of the people that sell the vans are just members of the
general public and are not list members.
I've found that the sellers have just reached their maximum level of
endurance for keeping their vehicle running. In many cases of Westies
I've purchased to resurrect or Vanagons I purchased for an economical
parts source the vehicles have had extensive and expensive repairs and
maintenance done on them by local and even authorized VW dealers.
I find one new head or often a VW Factory rebuilt engine and all kinds
of signs of recent new fuel pumps, ignition systems, brakes and every
other potential repair.
The glove box often has a good supply of repair tickets and parts
receipts.
Along with the stack of receipts I find many potential reasons for the
engine failure, this list is lengthy but I'll list a few; Engine Seal
Missing, Muffler Heat Shield Missing, Dropped Valve Seats, Hammered out
Valve seats, leaking cylinders, over tightened lifters, jumpers on the
full throttle switch, massive vacuum leaks everywhere, wrong spark wires
and wrong spark plugs, running Automatic Transmission Oil with the
engine oil to quieten lifters, running 10/30 motor oil.. Since I don't
pay retail on these dead units it is very easy to double my investment
very quickly if I have to buy new parts to bring them back to a safe
dependable vehicle.
I quickly doubled my investment on my 83 Westy after I bought it in
1995. I'm guilty of driving it like a normal car, pushing the speed,
overworking the engine and just in general making those miles without
really knowing anything about the proper care and maintenance. After I
blew #3 cylinder and bought a new set of heads in 1996 I started getting
a little smarter and started taking care of the little things before
they *stopped me in my tracks*,
I managed to get 140K out of the existing, recently rebuilt engine after
the above repairs over a periods of four years. I nearly wore out the
roads to the lakes and 500 miles a weekend was never a problem. I
managed to log a lot of miles going to Vicksburg MS and lots of trips to
Houston from Dallas.
I require myself to say this ......... If I had known how a really good
rebuilt engine would improve the vehicle, I'd have installed one the day
after I bought the Westy.
I suffered through about five years with just marginal performance and a
fair amount of tinkering trying to peak out a marginal engine.
Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia
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