Date:         Sat, 27 Sep 2003 09:08:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject:      RoadHaus - Incredible Vanagon Reliability Story
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Volks,

With all the focus on my current engine problems, I think something
important is getting lost
concerning "Reliability of the VW Vanagon Platform".

If I remove the engine problems from the analysis ... here's the story.

"North American Road Trip" - Current Summary

Time: 7 months
Mileage: 28,000 miles

Trip Repairs:

- Water Pump failed / was replaced with a new pump before the trip
- 3 fan belts /  stone chip roads of the Yukon just ate them up
- Drive shaft u joint / still had the original 160k mile u joints.
- Distributor O ring / may or may not have been replaced prior to the
trip
- A/C compressor failed / complete system rebuild prior to the trip

Comments:

- Most Major components were replaced or rebuilt prior to the trip

- I don't abuse my equipment ... but I don't baby it either. I cruise on
flats at 70-72 and
have traveled hundreds of miles on washboard dirt / gravel roads. And
some dam rough
paved roads.

- I've done a fairly large amount of off roading ... logging access
roads and 4x4 trials.

- So when you remove the "Experimental Engine" issues .... it's really a
pretty amazing
story of reliability.

I didn't want this "Remarkable" fact to get lost in the muck of the
engine failure issues.

So my friends .... have faith / Hit the ROAD


Larry Chase

Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web:  <http://www.roadhaus.com/> www.RoadHaus.com
Cell: 480 620 8966
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Arizona