Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 06:19:46 -0700
Reply-To: rcampbell-vanagon6706@MAILBLOCKS.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Campbell <rcampbell-vanagon6706@MAILBLOCKS.COM>
Subject: Re: Trusting Your Machine
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Mike,
I trust my Vanagon and I know my Vanagon. When I first got it (over a
year ago), I took it to a local (and recommended) mechanic to give it
the "once over." The result: all seems well. I drove my Vanagon
around my "area" for several hundred miles, learning what noises and
sounds are "normal" and kept an eye on things. While I'm not a
mechanic, I'm not afraid to care for my Vanagon. I mean that I've
changed the oil, rotated the tires, replaced belts, tinkered with the
electrical, added a keyless entry, and so on for my Vanagon. I choose
to "get to know" my Vanagon so, should the event arise, well I can do
the best that I can.
Early in my relationship, I got the perplexing flashing oil LED/buzzer
treatment. I just about freaked! But, after searching the archives
and bit, I learned all about it -- and after putting in 20W50 I've
never seen the problem since.
Only once, did my Vanagon fail me, and if I had take action that I
should have earlier, it would not have been an issue. (my fuel line
got disconnected, I was smelling a faint odor of gas but chose to do
nothing at the time)
All that said, you can cruise over to http://www.vanagonauts.com and
check out the Vanagon Rescue Squad. Our community has been known to go
to great lengths to help out a fellow driver. Heck, if you want to
drive south to let your Vanagon stretch its legs, head south to Palm
Beach county -- if you need help, well, you can always give me a shout
(I'll provide you with contact info if you want to do this).
Based on my meager knowledge, you should get your Vanagon a checkup --
I used to worry about the dreaded fuel fire thing, but no more --
mechanic assured me all is well and SHOWED me what to look for, so now
I look instead of worry. Every time I gas up, I walk around and check
things out, just so I know what's right and not.
And, I don't think any of this is extreme behavior for ANY car you own.
After all, look at how many of us drive these older vehicles (mine is
my daily driver), and the vast majority of the road-worthy look very
good for a vehicle anwhere from 13 to 20+ years in age, and most
vehicles will age gracefully with proper care. My 1991 Carat has
taken school children to Sea World (a 3 hour ride, 70+MPH with the A/C
all the way), and transported friends and family to parties and events,
and, while on the outside you wouldn't notice, I was smiling all the
way driving my Bus!
Good luck, have fun and enjoy!
-Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Rule <mikerule@UFL.EDU>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 18:57:34 -0400
Subject: Trusting Your Machine
Hi Ya'll,
Silly Question, but I thought it would be an interesting survey-
and one that is simply opinion-based, so no one can accuse right
or wrong answers- but hey- feel free to tell me not to post
useless drivel like this if you're so inclined!
This may apply more to the pre'86 models, but all years seem
significantly quirky enough that anybody might "feel my pain"...
Obviously there are plenty of brave Volks who travel all over in
their Groovy Vans, accumulating fun times and memories... but I
gotta tell ya, I'm a bit terrified!
Reading the constant issues that seem to randomly arise in these
machines makes me VERY hesitant to got much further than St.
Augustine's or Tampa Beach (from Gainesville, 1-2.5hrs), for fear
of some horrific random tranny/ head-gasket blow-out, faulty
fuel-line-induced fire, silent coolant loss, lite-switch blow-out
turning my dash into a brown puddle of goo... I mean, short of
rebuilding EVERYTHING, when does one begin to feel comfy and
cozy??
Please bear in mind, this is sorta tongue-in-cheek griping! I am
admittedly neurotic and anxiety-driven (hah!), altho I have
already spent about $3K prepping the vehicle to Be Travel Worthy
(thanks the The List, the Vendors, Vanagonauts, and more Listees
personal communications than I can name)... but I'm wondering if
the initial ownership has made anyone as batty and conflicted--
"Sell and buy a newer one?"
"Go back to my 66 Olds and hiking/camping equipment?"
"Medication??"
"Forget the motorized things, those Luddites had it good?!"
--as I feel after 5wks of ownership of an 84 Westy?
Cheers,
Mike
--------- <:3~ ---------
Michael Rule
UFL / UFSCC
Transgenic Core Facility
CB-033
352.392.4210
http://transgenics.ufscc.ufl.edu
The trick is to listen to what the experiments tell you -
and to not be fooled by the myths of authorities --
Constantine Spyropoulos (1928-1984)
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