Date:         Sat, 15 May 2004 04:00:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Harold May <hmayinthepines@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Harold May <hmayinthepines@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Greetings/my Van/'87 coolant
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Hey Now Folks ~

I am fairly new to the list (~one week), and have very much been
enjoying the messages posted, although it is more traffic than I had
anticipated. It's a lot of fun reading about people's love affair with
a vehicle such as the Vanagon. Although I only have a couple years
experience with one (it's also my 1st VW), I can appreciate and relate
to the stories, theories, myths and lore.

My wife and I bought an '87 Vanagon Wolfsburg pop top Weekender in
2002. Not sure if that terminology is correct though, so please help me
out and correct me if needed. It does not say "GL" anywhere. It is the
canvas pop top/sleeping area style. No sink/stove/fridge units, but
rather has the fold up table between the rear bench seat, and the
opposite facing jump seat behind the drivers seat. Storage cabinet in
back on driver's side. Has a round metal Wolfsburg Edition emblem on
the side front. Are these called Weekender's, Adventurewagon's, or
something else?

Like I said, we bought it in '02, and shortly thereafter named it
"Lionel", in homage to my father-in-law, who passed away shortly after
purchasing the Van. My wife's family (she has 2 older sister's) used to
take camping trips all over the US, mainly going to National Parks
during the summer time, in a VW camper Van during the late 60's, so we
thought it appropriate to name it after him. Being the youngest and
smallest, my wife would be the one who slept across the front  seats,
which were turned inwards, on some type of hammock or other sleeping
creation which I can't remember on this late night. BTW, for the age
thread, she will be 43 next month, and I turned 41 this past January...

The seller who we bought it from was only asking $1,000. They thought
it had a blown engine, due to a bad water leak. We had it towed (thanks
to AAA plus for free) to a mechanic in Auburn, CA (Yergen's, for those
Northern CA/Sierra foothills/Sac Valley folks), who said it did not
have a blown engine, but did need numerous (~12) small rubber hoses, a
new catalytic converter and a couple other things. We paid the seller
$1,000, and paid the mechanic $1,500, which brought it up to great
running condition. Heck, the fairly new Michelin Agilus tires, and the
Kenwood sound system - in dash cassette deck, w/separate power amp and
10 CD disc changer under front passenger seat, and 4 Kenwood speakers
were worth the $1,000 by themselves. Also came with the Bentley book.
In the Fall of 2002 we drove it during our Honeymoon all through
Oregon, and on up to Seattle and some of the Puget Sound, before
returning to the Sierra foothills. No problems at all, great trip!!!

"Lionel" now seems to have something wrong with the cooling system. I
know nothing about cars/engines - was that a collective gasp I just
heard ? Are many of you now saying Time to learn!  ;~)   What happens
is after a few hundred miles, the red blinking light on the dashboard
temperature gauge continuously flashes. The overflow tank is at the
correct level, but usually the main coolant tank in the engine itself
has dropped below the minimum. I add coolant/water mix to this tank up
to the drain hose to the overflow tank (after the engine has cooled
down of course), and it seems to be fine again, for awhile.

I have no idea when Lionel had it's last "major" service at a repair
shop. It's had a tune-up at Yergen's auto shop, but I kind of feel like
taking it somewhere else this time - like Sacramento. Can anyone
recommend Larry'z auto works or that other funny sounding name VW auto
repair shop in Sac (sorry, can't remember their name), or another
place? Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Last year my wife bought a '93 EuroVan MV pop top camper (only had
45,000 miles at the time). Again, no stove/sink/fridge units, just the
table, and one rear facing seat. No cabinets above rear bed, which when
extended is quite large. Any common name for this style VW Van?

peace,
Harold
'87 Vanagon Wolfsburg
'93 EuroVan MV

p.s. wish i had the '87 or an earlier model for all the grateful dead
concerts i went to, starting in '78...