Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 07:32:26 -0700
Reply-To: Aaron Pearson <Aaron.Pearson@GXT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aaron Pearson <Aaron.Pearson@GXT.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
why can't i have a vanagon if i don't do my own repairs? i am a
geophysicist, it's my job to find oil and gas. i don't tell people they
can't use gasoline or heat their homes unless they find the stuff
themselves.
when my limited spare time comes around, the last thing i'd like to be
doing is bashing my knuckels under my car in my garage. i can do
little, easy things, where if i mess up i still have a functioning
vanagon. but there are numerous expert mechanics a few miles from my
house who are happy (and more qualified) to fix or prevent any problems
with my van while i am at work. when i am not at work, i can drive my
van to the mountains or whatever and use it for what it is intended. i
have enough knowledge, mostly thanks to this list, so i know what to
tell my mechanic and what he is telling me. i also know what to tell
the ford mechanic in alamosa who has never seen a broken volkswagen.
i have a non-westy, so it was relatively cheap. i have spent far less
at the mechanic then i have in payments on my newer car.
aaron
'87 syncro gl
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Stan Wilder
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 5:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
If you don't like auto repair work, don't buy a Vanagon.
It stands to reason if you paid more to get a really good and dependable
Vanagon Westy then you wouldn't have to worry much about working on the
van.
Not so! Vanagons require a considerable amount of preventive maintenance
and a great deal of mollycoddling just to keep them on the road.
I've stated this before but here goes again; "You will probably spend as
much on maintenance and parts within the first year of ownership of a
Westy as you paid in the purchase price".
As for me I paid $2000.00 and spent well over $3000.00 that first year.
I replaced both the engine and transmission that first year, along with
tires, brakes etc. etc.
If you've been lurking on this list it should have scared the hell outa
you.
Get yourself a nice Chevy or Dodge conversion van and fly past the
Vanagons and Westy you see on the highways struggling to keep them up to
68 mph.
Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Fredericks" <fredericksmatt@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
> 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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