Date:         Mon, 25 Nov 2002 17:25:42 EST
Reply-To:     Trvlr2001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Carpenter <Trvlr2001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: I got it! 89 Vanagon Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 11/25/02 11:28:25 AM Mountain Standard Time,
steve@WERIGI.COM writes:
> You might remember me asking for advice on buying this 89 Westy. I bought
> it. And I like it. I really really like it. Thanks to everyone for your
> help. It's super clean and no rust (rare in the Detroit Metro Area). Now for
> my next set of questions. What should I do next? In respects to taking care
> of the Van. This is my first Camper Van, so I'm kind of green at this. But I
> do own a 98 GTI VR6 that work on quite regularly. Mostly upgrading go fast
> parts. Any help would be nice. And I do have maintance records since 92.
> Steve
>
Steve,
Congratulations bro!
The first thing to do is to burn a little sage in the bus, in an incense
burner.
Connect with the Van, and the Vanagon gods!
Wash it, Wax it clean it, vacuum and shampoo it. Change the oil and spark
plugs if needed.
Make mental notes of what it needs. (I have to write it down though, these
days;)
Spray the engine with a strong soap, then wash it off at the car wash.
(plastic bag the distributor, ECU, etc.)!
Then spray armorall all over the engine. Put on gloves and with a rag, rub it
down.
This gets you in touch with the engine, and you can see things you would
usually miss. Check belts and hoses.
Crawl underneath. Check out the exhaust system, the ball joints, Tires and
brakes. Look, touch, wriggle, feel. Fix.
Now, Plan... Where am I going to go, to have the best adventure ever???
What do I want to see and who do you think I might meet?
Perhaps a Hooka Smokin Caterpillar???
Its not just a Vanagon, man, It`s a trip!!!
Gas in, Drop out (of the rut, that is:), turn on (the key :) ....
As they say...Drivers needed...
Timothy GL Leary...