Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Mon, 16 Aug 2004 19:31:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject:      Re: head gaskets, my turn
In-Reply-To:  <41216AE5.8050808@pangea.stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Yup, me again.

I called the shop, intending to leave a message. Halfway into my 'vanagons don't have timing belts' soliloquy, they picked up. Apparently the desk guy punched in a Eurovan code or something. And yes, they were quite, quite embarrassed. Like I said, they've done good work before, so I'll chalk this up as an error, not ignorance or malicious intent.

Joel VanderKwaak wrote:

> Ya know, that was my 1st reaction as well, but I was rushed and didn't > press it, intending to dig into the Bentley and online resources > tonight. Consistent with the way my day has gone, I left the manual in > the van, at the shop. > > I'll give them a call in the morning to see what's going on. I've had > good service there in the past, so it's possible the guy behind the > counter is confused. > > Thanks for the collective 'what the f***' > > Jonathan Farrugia wrote: > >> the wasserboxer doesn't have a timing belt a diesel or a inline engine >> conversion would though. that said i just had a conversation with a >> dealer service writer and asked him if you had to have a mechanical >> background to be a service writer. he said no and that they prefer you >> don't know about cars so that you don't try to figure out the customers >> problem at the service desk. it could be that if you have a wasserboxer >> that you had one of those types of individuals at the counter. >> >> jonathan >> >> On Mon, 16 Aug 2004, Joel VanderKwaak wrote: >> >> >> >>> Update time :) >>> >>> Got in my van this morning, backed out of the garage, and there was a >>> 'clunk' from the engine, followed by a loud squeal. Guess the water >>> pump >>> gave up the ghost, conveniently at home rather than at 75mph on 280. >>> >>> As I'm quite pressed for time, I had the van towed to my local shop >>> (European Auto Works in Mtn View) to get the water pump replaced. >>> Definitely more expensive than if I did the work myself, but that's >>> life. >>> >>> One question I was asked at the shop is 'has the timing belt ever been >>> replaced?" As I don't recall a relevant discussion on the list, could >>> one of the list sages let me know if this is really something to >>> consider? I'll dig through the archives as well. >>> >>> Joel VanderKwaak wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Hey again, >>>> >>>> Cooler heads than mine suggested I investigate further to eliminate >>>> hoses and water pump as possible sources. I spent the last few hours >>>> under the engine, degreasing and cleaning off the Baja dirt and.... it >>>> looks like the source may be the water pump! Great news, and thanks so >>>> much for the 'slow down boy, think a little'. >>>> >>>> Thanks a ton, >>>> >>>> Joel >>>> >>>> Joel VanderKwaak wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> Howdy, >>>>> >>>>> Joy, joy, I found a puddle of coolant under my engine this morning :( >>>>> The van is a '91 with just over 80K miles. I'm scheduled to take a >>>>> 4000 >>>>> mile drive to Northern BC beginning Labour Day. I do not have enough >>>>> free time to tinker myself, so I'll need professional help (as >>>>> will the >>>>> van). >>>>> >>>>> So, a couple questions: >>>>> (1) what's a typical SF Bay area cost for an engine coolant leak >>>>> triage >>>>> and head gasket replacement >>>>> (2) if that cost is high, should I bite the bullet and just swap in a >>>>> rebuilt engine >>>>> >>>>> Up until this morning the van ran exceptionally well. I've been >>>>> putting >>>>> alot of miles on it since taking a job with a 100+ mile round-trip >>>>> commute two months ago. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> >>>>> Joel >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >> >> >> >> > >


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