Date:         Mon, 7 Nov 2005 16:27:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Film of oil all over back hatch
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Only works if you know what they taste like, eh? So he should sample from
various bottles first and imagine what all the engine and road pollutants
add to the mix....? And then hope he's not leaking more than one kind... I
suppose if he was really good he could tell which year and which refinery,
not to mention the brand. Bouquet, nose, body and all that.
Reminds me of the old highlanders that could supposedly track their herd by
tasting the droppings. Wonder how they convinced their kids to carry on that
tradition.
I'll pass on the merits, not having licked my vanagon much (I know some of
us are obsessed, but !?!), but of all the strange advice I've read on this
list, this is the strangest.

I've had a mouthful of used 90w gear oil out of a Rabbit differential (don't
ask)... for years after the very smell would make me want to retch (along
with the smell of Southern Comfort, which is another long story). I actually
don't doubt that it could work, but... really. No wonder so may of y'all's
wives hate yer vans if you kiss 'em with that mouth.

His engine and engine compartment (as well as his hatch, etc.) now need
cleaning anyway- I'd go with the pressure washing and careful observation
route myself. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. If he really wants
to get oral with his van (and who wouldn't?), he can try it on the fresh
leak(s) when it/they appear(s).

I love this list.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Bange" <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: Film of oil all over back hatch


On 11/7/05, Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> After reading these stories, it seems like anything that is leaking under
> the vanagon , will end up on the rear hatch.The more it leaks and the
> faster you drive, the quicker it will appear and the thicker it will
> cover.
> Better check everything.
>

The easiest way to find out what's leaking is to taste the oil. Everything
tastes different. Of course, it only works if you know what all the various
fluids taste like. If you decide to taste all your engine fluids to learn
the difference, do the differential oil last. It takes like three hours to
get the sulfur taste out of your mouth. And don't worry, the tiny amount you
need to discerne the taste isn't usually enough to poison you.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
"We'd tell a monkey how to peel a banana, if he said he was peeling one in a
Vanagon."