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Date:         Wed, 9 Nov 2005 12:18:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Musings
Comments: To: Matthew Fredericks <fredericksmatt@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY106-DAV3490FC0F3B1AF177D0474D3670@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I bought a 1980 air cooled westy five years ago. When I bought my first van the biggest thing I'd ever done mechanically was changing a spare tire. About three years ago I sold the 1980 and bought a 1986 syncro westy. Over that time I learned a little bit here and there but I would not say that I ever gained a high amount of mechanical ability, but I stayed with the vanagon for a few reasons:

With the support of this list you WILL be able to fix the simple things, regardless of how mechanically inept you are. For the things that are more complex, at a minimum you will be armed with some knowledge when you take it to a mechanic to have them do the work.

Its still not complex, but last summer I changed the alternator on my 1986 syncro, and in the process saved myself roughly $100 in quoted labor on the job. Without the list (and my Bentley) I would never have attempted it. Last summer the list support, my increasing confidence, and the thought of what else I could do with $100 moved me a little bit up the mechanical competency ladder.

I predict similar results for you and your 1984 Matthew.

Chris

On 11/9/05, Matthew Fredericks <fredericksmatt@hotmail.com> wrote: > This brings up (or answers) a question of mine. I'm thinking of buying an > 84 Vanagon. It seems to be well-maintained, but it would be my first > Vanagon. I've been wanting a VW bus for some time, but after consulting > some friends, I wonder if I'm actually 'handy' enough to handle a Vanagon. > Truth be told, I've never really worked on my own car (I'm usually without > one!). I know Vanagons are easier to work on than many computer-chipped > cars, but if standard expectations for owning a Vanagon involve many hours > with the hood up (or many dollars to foreign auto mechanics), uh-- I might > be biting off more than I can chew. > > Any opinions? I'd appreciate any feedback. > > Thanks, > > Matt > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 5:44 AM > Subject: Vanagon Musings > > > > Seems there is always something to do on your vehicle if you own a > > Vanagon. Mine has needed some attention for sometime and I finally broke > > down and started in on the list of projects. > > > > 1)Windshield leaks - both bottom corners - and badly sand pitted > > _Action_ - Installed a new windshield with new rubber seal 9Bus Depot) > > without trim groove. CA look. > > > > 2) Leaking Power Steering Rack > > _Action:_ replaced PS rack with rebuilt Mavel unit. New rubber and > > bushings. Installed new PS system filter. (Ken at Vanagain.com) > > > > 3) Blown Seams in Muffler, Dead O2 sensor > > _Action:_ new Muffler and Tail Pipe (Ken at Vanagain.com), New Bosch O2 > > sensor ( Small Car Parts, B'ham, AL) > > > > 4) Spark knock under load > > _Action:_ Tune up - New plugs, rotor finger, distributor cap, air filter > > (Small Car Parts, B'ham, AL) re-set timing. > > > > 5) Squealing Disc brakes, binding rear brake > > _Action:_ Machine rear drums and front rotors, lube front wheel > > bearings. Install new rear brake cylinders, install new front pads and > > rear shoes. Install new front spindle locking nuts.( parts from Ken at > > Vanagain.com) > > > > 6) CV Bearings > > _Action: _Inject CV grease into boots under boot edge using hollow > > needle greasing tool. Massaged grease into bearings. > > > > 7) Manual Tranny Service; > > _Action:_ Bi-annual tranny fluid change - Redline MT-90 > > > > 8) Oil Change > > _Action:_ Change Oil - Mobil One 15W50, Mahle filter > > > > 9) Coolant Change > > _Action:_ Flush system and fill with 4 gallons (est) of 50/50 Texaco > > biodegradable orange, two bottles of Red Line Water Wetter. > > > > 10) Dead AC system > > Action: Flush AC system, install new filter, new compressor, new seals, > > test and service the system. (Parts from Ken at Vanagain.com) > > > > That is the current list just accomplished. > > > > Other projects in the next few weeks: > > > > Install headlight relay upgrade > > Install Hella lighting upgrade 80/100 watt lights. > > Tire balance and front end alignment > > Por 15 the battery box > > Touch up a couple of rusty spots where rocks chipped through the paint. > > > > I'm sure I will add addittional projects in time., but right now I am > > getting the old girl ready for winter. > > > > John Rodgers > > 88 GL Driver > > >


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