Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2004 14:23:42 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: (NVC)Re: Reliability over one year
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Jim,
I am curious about your problems with your Legend. It is rare for one to ever need an engine, much less three in 130,000 miles. What happened to them? Who did the work? What was the quality level of parts used upon replacement?
Mark in AK
10 years Acura & Honda Dealership Parts Dept.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2004 10:17 am
Subject: Re: Reliability over one year
> What you're really talking about here is not really reliability over
> one year, but rather the stuff that the PO didn't know or didn't know
> about compressed into one year. When I get the money and the time, I
> tend to take care of a lot of things on my vanagon all at once. So I
> could pick out one or two years in its life that sound horrible
> from a
> reliability standpoint, but many more years of its 13 years when I did
> nothing.
>
> I think these cars look better over time. My wife's 90 Acura
> Legend is
> on its third engine (yes we change the oil) at 130K and my vanagon
> hasn't even had anything but head gaskets replaced and it has over
> 180K.
>
> The vanagon has needed front disks and rear drums (but carries much
> heavier loads, and has carried them further), it's had AC work
> that the
> acura didn't need, and it has a cruise control and central locking
> gremlins, has had two alternators and two water pumps and a seal
> replacement that the acura didn't require. And it's had the power
> steering rack replaced.
>
> Both have had the same amount of tuneup stuff.
>
> But it's still two engines ahead of the Acura. And the interior is in
> better shape, though my van lives outside and the Acura inside. My
> paint looks better, too.
>
> Jim
>
> On Jan 8, 2004, at 11:54 AM, Kevin McLean wrote:
>
> > It was one year ago today that I purchased my first Vanagon: a 1987
> > Syncro Westfalia with 198,741 km. The engine and transmission
> had been
> > rebuilt by the previous owner.
> >
> > I immediately completed some basic work that seemed appropriate
> for any
> > recently purchased 15 year old vehicle:
> >
> > New plugs, distributor cap, rotor, and wires
> > New O2 sensor
> > Cleaned all grounds
> > Set timing
> > New drive belts
> > New rear CV boots
> > Changed transmission fluid to Redline (much easier shifting,
> especially> when very cold, i.e. -30)
> > New air filter
> > Changed fuel filter
> >
> > Based on what the P.O. had told me I also replaced the cooling fan
> > switch,
> > thermostat, and throttle cable.
> >
> > I initially had some high idle problems that were quickly fixed
> with a
> > new
> > Temp2 sensor and a new throttle position switch. Also within
> the first
> > month I replaced the coolant reservoir (hairline crack) and the rear
> > heater core.
> >
> > Over the year I put 21,136 km on the van and used 2,942 L of
> gasoline> for
> > an average of 13.9 L/100 km (16.9 USMPG); a best of 11.2 L/100
> km (21
> > USGPM) during easy summer highway driving and a worst of 17.6
> L/100 km
> > (13.4 USMPG) during short stop-and-go trips at -30 degrees.
> >
> > Repairs over the year included the fresh-air fan switch, the
> headlight> switch, the exhaust system, new rear brake drums, and a
> new rear wheel
> > cylinder. So, a few little things needed attention, but nothing
> > extraordinary for a used vehicle. The van has been my daily
> driver and
> > has not once left me stranded or required any mechanical work while
> > travelling.
> >
> > For this year the van should only require a spring tune-up, and
> > hopefully
> > I'll get around to installing headlight relays and new fuel lines
> > (sooner
> > than later!).
> >
> > Overall I am very happy with the van and it has proven to be
> nearly the
> > ideal vehicle for me and my family. I'm looking forward to many
> more> years of enjoyment!
> >
> > Kevin McLean
> > Calgary, AB
> >
>
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