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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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