Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 20:08:54 -0700
Reply-To: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: Vanagon name
In-Reply-To: <JHEHKLEAKBLMKEJMBNOOGEKODLAA.jeff@vanagonparts.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
The only failure work I have done on mine is a cv axel that failed. All
other work is because I am busy modifying it to fit me. Not counting
standard maint stuff.. Btw there was an engine fire on the i225 today.
Toyota truck and not an old one either. Note that ford is under
investigation for a rash (again) of engine fires believed linked to the
cruise control this time. When I go through salvage yards I am still
surprised at the number of burned out vehicles engine bays. As for toyota
reliability? I donšt even bother trying to salvage anything off of them
anymore. However the r22 engine is a very good engine.
jimt
On 12/17/04 7:41 PM, "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM> wrote:
> No work here in keeping up the Vanagon. I'd even go as far as saying I
> abuse the poor things. I do "try" to do oil changes every 5,000 or so, but
> sometimes I forget.
>
> Don't know about the 1:12 ratio your talking about for engineering fits,
> perhaps it's the squeaky wheel syndrome and the fact that this is a Vanagon
> list. All I know is that I haven't had any breakdowns with any of my
> Vanagons in 15 years. Damn things just won't break, but they will bend...
> (windshields excluded).
>
> Perhaps I'm driving under a lucky Vanagon star.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Aristotle Sagan
> Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 3:38 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon name
>
>
> Look at the reliability of each vehicle. I put a lot of energy into my van
> when I first bought it. I don't anymore, but then, it only get run about
> 3000 miles a year. Then look at the work I put into my 92 Toyota Pickup with
> the R22 engine. None. It ran for 10 straight years at 15 to 20 thousand
> miles a year with nothing more than oil changes, a set of sparkplugs every
> couple of years and oh yeah, a radiator at 125 thousand miles. Cost me 125
> bucks and 20 minutes to replace. I put brake pads on at 100k, replaced the
> brake fluid, and yes, I changed one bulb, front driving light (that little
> white light that marks the front corner of the truck).
>
> I would still be driving it except some dumb SOB drunk college kid totalled
> it out in front of my house one night. And still not working on it.
>
> For every story of no maintenance like yours, there are a dozen with all
> sorts of really stupid engineering fits. You can start with the endless
> debates on how to bleed the cooling system, and end up with 3rd/4th tranny
> slider meltdowns. Let's not even get into black magic Vanagon syndrome,
> rotting fuel lines, Air flow controller resister breakdown, etc., etc.
> Things that were engineered out of Toyotas in the late 70's.
>
>
> I repeat, my hat is off to those who put the work in to keep their daily
> drivers daily.
>
>
> tim in san jose
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Felder" <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 1:12 PM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon name
>
>
>>>
>>>
>>> I love my Vanagon, but rely on it for everyday transportation? Hats
>>> off to
>>> anyone who does but I'll take a Toyota anything for everyday
>>> transportation.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> In 1990 my wife bought an Acura Legend and I bought a vanagon. The
>> Acura has about 130K miles on it, and it's on its third engine. The VW
>> has 190K miles on it and the engine's never been opened.
>>
>> I haven't driven anything but a diesel westy or a gas Carat for the
>> last 14 years. I'm sure there are many others on the list who have done
>> many more Vanagon miles than I have.
>>
>> So what's the hats off for?
>>
>> Jim
>>
>
>
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