Date:         Fri, 6 Jun 2003 08:13:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Air Flow Meter;
Comments: To: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <5.1.0.14.2.20030606103216.01bd10b0@pop1.attglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 07:46 AM 06/06/2003, you wrote:

>At 10:22 AM 6/6/2003, John C. wrote:
>>Does anyone know if the (VW) air flow meter cap,
>>is supposed to just pop off?
>>I`m prying kinda hard,
>>& it`s not budging! :)
>
>They're a very light press fit -- grooved top fits over the aluminum
>lip.  But they're also sealed with a very tenacious silicone RTV.


What this proves is they were not designed to be serviceable, which is what
it says in the Bentley and which is why Bosch Corp offers no remanufactured
units for them. When the spring starts to soften or the fuel pump points
get worn or the reference tracks and pickups get worn or corroded, the only
factory fix is to replace it. That is a hard pill to swallow. I just priced
one for early Vanagon air cooled and list is $475. At my cost I can only
knock about $50 off that. But it is the 10 to 20 year solution.

Can't fault those who know better and invest tinkering time with no or
short range results, then spend the actual money for an actual fix. Used
from a junker is an alternative however don't pay a dime for such without
first confirming the static tests given in Bentley. Of course, you should
also run these tests on your own unit BEFORE removing the top for
tinkering. Never pay a dime as well for any that have had the top removed
for in many cases there the results will be nada.

I do know that perfectly good AFM's get their tops pulled and tinkered with
and turned into boat ballast. Shoot, $400 for no good reason is no way to
care for your cost/mile over life.

Verify per procedures given before opening your wallet.