Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 14:43:20 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: can the front blower motor (etc)
In-Reply-To: <098F8778.6639E802.0004AB8A@netscape.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Gary,
I to, do as much work as I can on my van, for many of the same reasons
you have mentioned. Plus there are few mechanics that can even work on a
Vanagon. By doing my own work, I know it's right, and I'm never fearful
of a sudden malfunction. I have confidence in the machine when I'm out
on trips, etc. The last few times I have the van in for maintenance in
shops it was far from satrisfactory. Here's just a couple of the many
problems that showed up after "Shop Maintenance" in a respected shop.
Problem: Popping/clunking sound from right rear wheel - sounded just
like failing CV.
Cause: Loose CV bolts resulting in movement of the CV during rotation.
Fix: Simply retorque CV bolts.
Complaint: Shop had serviced the CV's and not or not adequately torqued
the bolts.
Problem: Headlights Adjusters Broken
Cause: Shop help had moved van by pushing around. Someone had used a
headlight for a pushing point. These adjusters were brand new.
Fix: Replace at Shops Expense
Complaint: Sloppy handling of vehicle while in the shop for other
maintenance.
I just finished changing the oil and installing a new Mahle oil filter.
And replaced and serviced the CV's on the left side of the vehicle.
Monday, I will replace the rear brakes, and install new brake cylinders,
along with replacing the front disc brake pads. Read drums will be
turned. Rotors may be turned, but thats to be determined after inspection.
After that, the Coolant gets changed, and a new rear heater control
valve gets installed at that time.
Next big project...replace all fuel and coolant lines forward of the
firewall.
I save a lot of money doing these things myself, but more than that, I
have confidence in my van. I know what to expect. In the process of all
this, I learn about the systems on the van, and understand why things
are as they are, and can trouble shoot better. So I become a better
owner of the van.
It's a bad feeling to go into a place for an oil change, and they have
to ask you where the engine is. That is a bad sign.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Gary McEachern wrote:
>Eric,
>
>I agree with you in general however many of the people on the vanagon lists do some or all of the work on their own vehicles.
>
>I myself have not brought a vehicle into a repair shop for more than fifteen years. In this timeframe I have owned 8 busses/vans along with numerous cars. I presently have seven vehicles in my household. I do all my own work because: 1.) I am not satisfied by the quality work performed by shops in the past, 2.) I can't bear to pay someone else when I can do the work myself and 3.) I enjoy working on my vehicles and get a great sense of satisfaction from doing my own work.
>
>I enjoy working on my van and I do the best work I can. For this reason I avoid doing big jobs when the weather is unpleasant and where I might be tempted to cut corners! For this reason I try to do all my repair and maintenance work during the spring, summer and fall.
>
>If there is a relatively easy way to extend the life of the front blower a few months I would rather pursue this and plan to replace the blower when the weather is warm and the days are long. Rushing to complete a job in the cold weather when your hands are freezing does not make sense to me.
>
>Gary
>
>
>Gary McEachern
>Reading, Ma
>'90 Westy Subavanagon
>'86 Wolfy Subavanagon
>'87 Syncro (Son's van)
>
>
>EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET> wrote:
>
>
>
>>"you do what you have to do whenever you have to do it"
>>
>> George, Sounds to me like you have worked very hard. I also can
>>tell you I have been put in some very deep holes and had to dig my
>>way out, but most people these day won't think of working on a car.
>> If you ask them who fixxed it, they would say, I did, by taking
>>it in for repair! The only way most people would work on a car
>>today would be out of nessecity!
>>
>>
>> Eric 86-VW4x4
>> vw4x4@fyi.net 86-SS Syncro
>> Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
>> 92-Jetta GWC
>> www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm
>>
>>On Wed, 31 Dec 2003, George Goff wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>In a message dated 12/31/03 9:16:27 AM, GlmceN@NETSCAPE.NET writes:
>>>
>>><< in the North East it is a big deal to do almost any job that requires
>>>being outside in the cold! >>
>>>
>>>To me, this is like water off a duck's back. Among other things, I've worked
>>>on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in winter, I've been sailing on the
>>>Chesapeake in February and I've had my cherry busted while still in college when I
>>>once spent a Christmas "Break" laying a half mile field run of intake piping
>>>from a water treatment station to the power plant on o wind swept hilltop in
>>>Western PA. You do what you have to do whenever you have to do it.
>>>
>>>George
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>--
>
>
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