Date:         Tue, 9 May 2006 13:27:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Kragen Sitaker <kragen@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kragen Sitaker <kragen@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      our US trip in a 1982 Vanagon

My wife and I recently bought this 1982 Volkswagen Vanagon, and we're
driving around the country in it; have put about 1500 miles on it over
the last few days.  It has a few problems, but mostly is doing pretty
well.

I just thought I'd send out a hello message to let everyone know what
we're up to.

Here are the things we've fixed on the van since we got it a month
ago:

- leaking fuel line (this is the only one we fixed before starting our
  trip on 2006-05-04)
- floppy side mirrors
- cracked windshield washer reservoir
- low tire pressure
- dead wiper blades
- loosened screw that was creating too much friction on passenger sun visor
- replenished low oil level
- replaced fouled air filter
- replaced broken window crank knob with a chunk of Shapelock

Here are the things that still need to be fixed:

- noisy transmission bearing
- noisy in general; replace foam?
- unreliable radio (doesn't turn on reliably)
- right front radio speaker is silent
- turn signals don't cancel
- lousy gas mileage; may be normal and unfixable
- stinky exhaust; may be normal and unfixable
- totally dead spare tire of wrong size
- driver window gasket falls down
- heater doesn't work
- gasoline leak from top of fuel tank
- one pop-top joint missing its bolt and standoff
- I'm not sure the dual-battery system is hooked up correctly to
  prevent the RV appliances from draining the starter battery
- broken knobs on propane refrigeration system
- fog light switch broke off instrument panel and is now recessed
- odometer doesn't work
- speedometer reads low because of oversized wheels
- radio antenna is loose
- awning is mildewy and needs scrubbing
- as of today, the passenger side mirror won't roll up

Here are the things I'd like to improve:

- add engine temperature gauge (there's already a temperature sensor
  hooked up to the ECU, right?)
- replace dashboard lights with red LEDs
- add tachometer
- add some kind of carrier on top of the van; right now we have a
  couple of boards bungeed to the top rails with nothing on top of
  them, plus a 7-gallon bottle of water, a 5-gallon solar shower, and
  an empty gasoline can.
- add display of readouts from ECU (may require aftermarket ECU,
  possibly custom, but I think that would be a fun project)

I've been reading the list and learning a lot.  Thank you all!