Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 21:12:34 -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: Danger from the cold
In-Reply-To: <BAY3-DAV65CIElR3n4D00007cbd@hotmail.com>
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One thing I leaned in 30 years of living in Alaska, and that is that the
cold in winter will show every weakness in your vehicle, wheather it's
the tired tires, worn bearings, old coolant hoses, fuel lines or what
have you. When the temps get really down there, the weaknesses start to
show. And in a really cold climate like Alaska, Canada, and some of the
other northern tier states, having a problem out somehere can turn a
nice Sunday afternoon outing into a grim survival situation, even if it
is just over night. After a few cold weather maintenance episodes I got
the message, and maintained my vehicles in Alaska to the max.
Maintenance was very routine. I never missed servicing, and any
componenets that were questionable were simply replaced. I also kept
extra blankets, some means of building an maintaining a fire, as well as
some food in my van in the winter. And never, ever made a "quick run
downtown" without my coat, hat, mitts, and boots. I would simply never
take the chance.
And you definitely don't want to get stranded out somewhere with your
family.
Maintain to the max. Thats my motto!!
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Robert Freeman wrote:
> I took my '91 Westy up into British Columbia after xmas for a week of skiing. One night when temps were about -20C I was driving down into town for dinner (Rossland BC) and the car was stalling on me. I managed to get it to a parking space near where I was going, but when I came out after it wouldn't start again. I tried several times and it would catch and run for a bit and then die. I guessed that there might be water in the fuel line that had frozen. Then I smelled fuel. Got out and looked under with a flashlight and sure enough, drip drip drip. I just left it there and walked back to where I was staying. Next day was sunday so no getting it fixed then. Monday morning I had it towed to a local garage. He found the fuel line had split near where it enters a valve near the firewall. He cut off the bad part and reattached it with a clamp. All he could do at the time. I will get all the lines replaced soon though. Nearly had a vehicle flambe. The lesson is if you have not replaced your fuel lines in the last 5 years, there is no time like now. By the way, the car started easily and ran great otherwise, but I sure had a hard time getting it to warm up in that cold. We drove in all our ski clothes most of the time.
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>Bob Freeman
>Seattle
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