Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 19:43:55 -0600
Reply-To: KD <katya@BUTLER-BREMER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: KD <katya@BUTLER-BREMER.COM>
Subject: Re: gutless AND unreliable...
In-Reply-To: <000801c2f590$82fdc4c0$6400a8c0@masterpc>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
> From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
>
> Subject: Re: gutless AND unreliable...
>
> On February 23, the FUN BUS turned 200,000 miles traveling home to NY
> from Florida with the original head gaskets. Uses ~1 quart of Mobil 1
> 15w-50 oil every 1200 miles.
You Lucky Dog you! Every problem I've ever had has been minor. That I
can't complain about. Always check underneath the van at every fill up for
leaks. Change oil (20w50) every 2000 miles with Mahl filters, flush
cooling system every spring, grease CV joints, etc..
But...........................and that's a big BUT.........the minor fixes
have been DEBILITATING! This was a new motor too with only 21,000 when I
bought it. I think the corroded wire connections, bad grounds, leaking
vacuum hoses that seem to cause "Vanagon Syndrome" drove me nuts. Actually
it would scare the "s**t" out of me anytime I went anywhere. Would take it
in get it fixed. (hubby started getting pretty good at it) and I certainly
got better. But still had to call the mechanic (good VW specialist too)
The last time (and he's not crazy about working on it) he spent 4 hours
tracing down everything. To the tune of $218.00. Took it home, all was
fine, drove it about 45 miles and it started again. I really love the Westy
but I can't take it anymore. If it doesn't have a chevy engine in it, I
don't want it. That digifont injection system is just too d**n complicated.
Too much fiddling around and too time consuming.
Besides, I'm surprised I didn't have a heart attack at least a couple of
times. It was not fun a couple of years ago, going through Gary Indiana at
11pm (thought there would be less traffic) There was less car traffic, but
oh boy, it was a free for all with a zillion semi's going 75-80 mph. Guess
what she decided to do??? Yeah right and I had my 17 yr old son with me
too. Cripes.....I got off the freeway almost getting hit, as fast as I
could manage, and she totally died in a REALLY bad neighborhood in the White
Castle parking lot. Do you think I could find a good Vanagon mechanic? No
way! Well........enough said, but I could go on and on. Did finally get
her running right and hope it stays that way.
Cheers,
Katy
PS If anyone every puts together a really clean Westy or Weekender with a
Chevy motor let me know :o)
> That might be me. 230k miles on the original motor. Still uses *no* oil
> between changes and even though it needs a reseal, it's stone reliable.
> I'll redo the heads in the next couple weeks and i have no doubt that
> it'll be good for another 100k.
>
> Jim
>
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