Date:         Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:23:52 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Gypsy is gone...
Comments: To: Debbie Walters <debbwa@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <BDE5AAF3.2E14%debbwa@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

Debbie, sorry to hear of your loss. Most regrettable.

Classic problem with Vanagons though. Can't tell yo how many fuel leaks
in the engine compartment I have found over time. Once I discovered a
fuel leak by watching the fuel gage as I went down the road. I had just
filled the tank, and was going down the road and as is my custom looked
a the gas gage frequently...... and noted the gage dropping fast. I
looked out the rear view mirror and saw a black line in the middle of
the road - my lane - stretching way back behind me and coming right up
to the van. The black streak was not in front of me. I stopped
immediately. Engine compartment was flooded with raw gasoline. To this
day I don't know why I did not have a fire. But this sort of thing has
happened more than once.

Such events as yours ..... and mine, are good reasons to do an engine
swap to a modern diesel engine. Reduces the possibility of fire
significantly.

I find that for me there is no other vehicle out there that does what a
Vanagon or Westy can do. They just don't make them.

Hope you can find a replacement soon, and remain with us on the list.

Best to you,

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Drver
Debbie Walters wrote:

>Gypsy burned to the ground at 6:00 this morning ­ her engine caught on fire
>as I was driving to work, I noticed flames spewing out the back in my side
>view mirror ­ thought she was a race car for a moment!
>
>Shešs totally gutted, pop top melted, windows broken by the fire department.
>I was able to salvage most of my search and rescue gear ­ the cabinets
>protected it.  I am thankful that my dogs were not with me, their crate area
>is right over the engine compartment.
>
>Just thought Išd pass on the loss to people who care...
>
>Deb
>Œ85 Vanagon ŗGypsy,˛ demised...
>
>
>
>