Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 23:38:21 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
In-Reply-To: <BAY106-DAV3490FC0F3B1AF177D0474D3670@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Stan is right. These puppies take serious mollycoddling. But I think it
has more to do with age of the vehicles more than anything else. My van
is 1988 GL. By model year it's 18 years old. So there are going to be
ongoing maintenance issues.
I have had my current van 7 years. The first year I rebuilt the
transmission, then that same year replaced the engine due to a burnout
in one cylinder. When I bought the van it had about 86,000 miles on it.
When I replaced the engine at 96,000 miles, I discovered that the engine
I was replaceing was the SECOND engine since the vehicle was new. So in
96,000 miles someone had run TWO engines out. Someone drove the holy
hell out of that van, and ignored the maintenance during that first
86,000 miles before I bought it. When I replaced that engine I found a
yellow sticker on it that said "Remanufactured by VW of Canada". So it
was definitely the second engine. I put in the third one. From there it
was muffler, brakes, lights, doors, fuel system hoses, coolant system
hoses, etc, etc, etc. BUT, overall the vehicle has been trouble free. It
has not left me sitting on the side of the road but once. It has been
very reliable.
So once you get one up and running, and fully tweaked, you won't have
much trouble with it. The main thing to remember is DO YOUR PREVENTIVE
MAINTENANCE!! Do that and you will find your van to be very reliable indeed.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Matthew Fredericks 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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