Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 12:16:36 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: Re: Thank You To Everyone For Your Condolence's : RE: Rockefeller
Fire
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Robert,
My sympathies regarding your loss, both of the van itself and the financial loss. Assuming that your extinguisher was the standard dry chemical model, you should be aware that the chemical settles and compacts, they need to be turned over and shaken regularly. I used to mess around with hotrods, customs, etc, and there were and I assume still are, halon gas fire suppression systems that could be purchased and installed for a reasonable sum. They have been used for years on race cars with good success. I know that it is too late for your van, but may be worth looking into in the future. I know that I will be investigating this for our 87 Westy Syncro after reading about your loss.
Mark in AK
----- Original Message -----
From: robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2003 11:10 am
Subject: Thank You To Everyone For Your Condolence's : RE: Rockefeller Fire
> I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your warm
> thoughts,your inspiration to keep the VW dream alive, to look on
> the bright side, to
> learn from the experience and to be thankful for all things..
>
> Many of you expressed that you new the pain of my loss and for
> that I am so
> thankful to know that there are others that know and share that
> experiencewith me, I am not alone.
>
> If anything I have realized and learned some things from each of
> you and
> your words of advice...
>
> ? Change the fuel lines every couple of years with high pressure
> and not
> regular fuel lines.
> VWNut Hawk <vwnut@hawkcomputing.com>
>
> ? Replace the plastic engine cover with the old style Metal
> engine cover
> from an air-cooled vanagon. (Chris aka - JordanVw@AOL.COM)
>
> ? Carry a commercial fire extinguisher under the back seat (A big
> unit) or
> place one behind the drivers seat. (Chris aka - JordanVw@AOL.COM)
>
> ? Be sure to have Fire Coverage on your Van. ( I did not, but was
> meaning to
> add it, to late.)
>
> ? Check the engine bay and the hoses every couple of months and do
> completevisual inspection.
>
> ? Focus on the good and not the bad in any situation.
>
> ? Do not dwell on what you could have done, but you can do in the
> future. (woulda/shoulda/coulda) "J. Harvey" <jtharvey2@hotmail.com>
>
> ? Keep a camera with you, capture every important moment.
> (having fun in the van, with your friends or family or to
> capture an
> event. (like a 10-12 min inferno)
>
> ? If you have the cash, technical expertise and time, consider
> putting in a
> aftermarket engine.
> (Subaru) Steven (Steven Goldstein <lep8ntr@yahoo.com>)
>
> ? This experience will be just a ...²speed-bump in the parking lot
> of your
> vanagon life²...
> Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
>
> ? ³I learned that I can own and enjoy one of these vans from the
> fantasticcommunity that is this list.² Without this community I
> would probably not
> have purchased my old 89 Carat Van, I might have gone it alone and
> sufferedthrough the learning curve but instead your collective
> wisdom has brought
> much ease the Vanagon experience. Thank you all. ... ³it has
> taken work
> to²... Get my van from where it started to the almost perfect
> point it was
> at before the accident ...²but it is well worth it for the
> enjoyment I got
> out of it².... ³remember the joy your van provided you and not
> give up on
> dreams that
> encounter brutal setbacks like this.² Owen <olists@thebrands.org>
> ( I added
> my own stuff in there too)
>
> ? ...²there is no real loss. The memories are what will be with you
> forever. Life carries on. That van would want you to have one
> again. And
> enjoy it. ....these vans are timeless friends and it is up to us
> to know
> what they need. There is not one to compare or take the place of
> these.Machines are replaceable in part or whole. We give them
> life and soul with
> our love and use. They serve us as best as we treat them or better.
> Memories are made by you and the loving company you have.
> Enjoy the next one and the one after.²
> Zoltan - zolo <zolo@foxinternet.net>
>
> I would hope that who ever maintains the www.vanagon.com site
> might want to
> add some of the key technical items mentioned here.
>
> Once again thank you for all your help over the years, it was truly
> invaluable. God bless, and happy holidays to everyone. Be safe out
> there...
> Best Regards to all,
> Robert
> 89 Toasted Carat Crushed yesterday
> NYC
>
