Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 15:12:24 -0700
Reply-To: Don in Phoenix <02BuellS3T@COX.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don in Phoenix <02BuellS3T@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: What's on YOUR checklist?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Jay,
Well, you can take this with a grain of salt, because I don't have a Vanagon
right now. But in the past, with my old busses ('68 Kombi, '71 Campmobile
and '78 standard Westy) once a year I had a compression test and a leak down
test performed on the engine. With a wasserboxer, I would add a cooling
system pressure test. These were done just before camping "season", and
gave me an indication of the condition of the van. I also looked under the
van for any rust starting, any oil leaks and CV boot condition.
The nice thing about doing the above once a year is you can see problems
coming due to engine wear. Of course, this is not a suit of armor that will
guarantee there is nothing wrong with your vehicle, but it will detect many
issues before they become "show stoppers".
And yes, a cell phone and AAA card are good, too!!
Don in Phoenix
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay Roth" <bghuna@MCHSI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sun 14 March 2004 06:05
Subject: Re: What's on YOUR checklist?
> It seems surprising to me that with the great number of list members out
> there willing to help, this previous post went unheard with the exception
of
> ONE person! I'm interested in knowing what *extra precautions* to take and
> mechanics to check in advance of a long trip. Certainly there is a checkup
> routine many of you have!
>
> Many listees have suggested preventive maintenance is the key to
maintaining
> the life of a Vanagon, but only one offered advice as to what "extra"
things
> to look at besides the obvious (coolant level, oil level, belts...) I was
> hoping such an experienced group could offer more guidance to a new
Vanagon
> owner.
>
> In VW Love, Light & Laughter,
> Jay
> '87 Westy "Ol' Blue", 327K
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jay Roth [mailto:bghuna@mchsi.com]
> Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 6:10 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: What's on YOUR checklist?
>
>
> In getting ready for the season's first spring camping trip, and reading
> tips from the list for the past year, I was wondering what is on YOUR
> mechanical checklist for bringing a Vanagon out for a 24 hour roadtrip?
> There's been much interest in preventive maintenance lately, instead of
> bringing every conceivable replacement part, so what would you tell a
newbie
> to check mechanically before taking such an adventure with a family?
>
> In case you're interested this will be the "first" official trip of such
> distance, so any reassurance for my wife will be greatly appreciated!
>
> In VW Love, Light & Laughter,
> Jay
> '87 Westy "Ol' Blue", 327K
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