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Date:         Sat, 11 Jan 2003 14:09:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Courtney Hook <chook@NISA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Courtney Hook <chook@NISA.NET>
Subject:      Re: I got back from CA with the '85 Westy...
Comments: To: zolo <zolo@FOXINTERNET.COM>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Fanstastic writeup Zoltan! Many thanks for sharing that story. You take care, Courtney (Vancouver Island) ----- Original Message ----- From: "zolo" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 2:20 PM Subject: I got back from CA with the '85 Westy...

> Thanks for all of you who responded to my request of help on the way > back. Fortunately did not need it, I could manage on my own with the > troubles. > I found an '85 Westy with good interior and fixer upper exterior. > The engine was running rough but made it home to Seattle. It is a > previously reconditioned engine and a lot of little things are new on > it. The starter did hardly turn over and the help of an other fully > charged battery did not make it either. It started well with > pushing. So, all the way, I had to look out for spots with slope, > including gas stations. It also leaks out on top when filled up, > scaring the attendants in Oregon where there is help at every gas > station for you. As I looked under, finding no spare tire, - but > there was no jack and wrench anyway,- I also noticed that the gas > tank was crushed by a knowledgable person who was trying to lift the > car up, causing the sediment inside to migrate to unwanted area, like > the outlet to the filter and fuel pump. At halfway, after I had a > nice day at the Pebble Beach Golf Club, making nine over par, finally > the thing died just after refuelling. Cold and rain did not hold me > back from changing the fuel filter that was supplied by the seller. > Started again and kept on going with sporadic coughing and jerking > but cleared itself and did not do it again. The brown color of the > exhaust suggested that the fuel mixture is slightly lean, so I > adjusted it one full turn clockwise on the air flow meter. I am not > sure if the performance got better but surely used more gas. > I also had to take the scenic route of HWy 101 to avoid the big > mountains and the snow and ice and chains and all the misery, because > I did not have the confidence in the car to make it over those slopes > other than first or second gear. > It took me almost four days to make it home. > I also went to see "Go Westy" on the way when I saw that I am just > passing Los Osos. I phoned them up, they gave me directions and > fifteen miles later I was in their shop. What a nice, well organized > place with all those guys who know so much. They supplied me the set > of curtains that was missing from the van and a set of tires and > wheels for my old trusty air cooled family camper. But most > importantly they fixed the persistent oil leak that was scaring the > seller. I left a stack of money at their place but I only bought > stuff that was needed. > So, with some fear of the unknown, I have carried on, sleeping in the > van in the sleeping bag that I took with me, looking at great sunsets > on the rugged Oregon coast, driving kind of high up on the hillsides. > I did not need the heater in California but sure it would have been > nice to have it working. I think the thermostat did not work because > the temp needle was low always and the heater only blew warm when it > startd to get warmer in heavy traffic. > Finally I got onto I-5, that is from Canada to Mexico, and managed to > maintain a respectable speed on the straights and downhills. Made it > to home late night and now I can start restoring one more Westy that > was saved from the crusher. > Sorry if it was a little longer. Just the way I am... > Zoltan >


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