Date:         Fri, 5 Jan 2007 16:08:07 -0800
Reply-To:     jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
In-Reply-To:  <015301c73121$24282140$2e01a8c0@FirstLaptop>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Hmmm, let's see:

1) Heading north on Hwy 1 near Muir Woods, a bolt worked out of the
Injection Pump Bracket, and lodged in the intermediate shaft pully, thus
seizing it. No oil pressure. Tow back to SF, 6 weeks to repair (never,
ever go to Tassi in Colma, CA for repairs), and rental car home. "Only"
$400.00 to repair.

2) On the way back from SF after picking up the above repair, the water
temp. sensor wire broke at the Olive Pit. Then, coming down from Sexton
Summit, the driver's side windshield wiper bolt came loose. And, finally,
in Southerlin Oregon (about 1.5 hours from home) the fuel cutoff solenoid
wire broke. All of these things took less than 5 minutes for me to fix,
but wow! (If some of these terms seem wierd, this is a 1983 *Diesel*
Vanagon with a 1.9NA).

On the other hand, we have been to many, many, many places in our Vanagons
(including the above one)with nary a trouble. Guess the 1983 didn't like
California (or Southern Oregon). ;)

Jon

On Fri, 5 Jan 2007, Zoltan wrote:

> See!?  Almost all of these are water cooled related, including the Power
> steering and the likes.
> The Air Cooled vans are really holding up well on the trips.  Especially if
> they are carburetor models, the likes they have in Europe.  Wonderful.  I
> never had to open the rear door.
> Zoltan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack R" <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:57 PM
> Subject: Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
>
>
> > Aside from the Water pump failure, I have been able to limp home with the
> > following situations:
> > 1. Manual Transmission Failure - lost 2nd or 3rd gear, can't remember.
> > Went
> > to a local transmission shop while on the road, changed out the fluid, and
> > made the 350 mile trip home (holding the shifter in 4th gear, so it
> > wouldn't
> > pop out).
> > 2. Fuse panel melt down, due to not using a relay for my 80/100W
> > headlights,
> > drove home under daylight.
> > 3. Head gasket failure, made it home, and drove it around town on 3 cly.
> > Power and smoking problems, but still drivable.  Replaced motor over the
> > past summer.
> > 4. Rusted PS line, removed belt, and drove it until I replaced the line.
> > 5. Broken front sway bar links, drove it home slowly, and watched out for
> > cross winds.
> > 6. Blown off the road in a wind & ice storm, ended up in the median, with
> > a
> > tire off the rim.  Had it towed to an all-night truck-stop / repair. Had
> > tire remounted and continued on the journey (after spending the night in a
> > hotel).
> > 7. The water pump failed in the early 90's and the local VW dealer had the
> > part in stock. (I was 280 miles from home)  Drove it for 5 miles at a
> > time,
> > the dealer was 20 miles away from our campsite, and it took a 1/2 day to
> > have the pump replaced.
> >
> >
> > My adventures from 1987 to 2004 - with my 1.9L motor.  I purchased the van
> > with 100k miles on it in 87, and it now has 180k on it.  Now I have a much
> > newer 2.1L motor, and looking forward to more adventures.  Runs like a top
> > now, best it ever has ran.
> >
> > Jack
> > 84 Westy, Wolfsburg
> > N. Of Detroit.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> > Burdett, Jean-Pierre
> > Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 12:50 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
> >
> >
> > OK so assuming that most people on this list keep their Vanaboxes in
> > good shape....So how many of you here have experienced roadside
> > mechanical problems that required some big work or messed up your
> > vacation? How did U handle it? Or are most road trips stress free?
> >
> > The coming season we roll out with our 82 AC bus on long trips to
> > Northern Ontario (Manitoulin Island), New Hampsire & Cabot Trail
> > (separately) and I'm want to mentally prepare myself (and my wife) for
> > any troubles!!
> >
> > My 82 is no clunker, it is in great shape mechanically but U never know
> > until U know. U Know?! Let me kmow :-)
> >
> >
> >
> > JP Burdett | Product Marketing Manager
> > Spotwave Wireless Inc.
> >
> > Tel: 613.591.1662 Ext.297 | Fax: 613.591.8107  | Mobile: 613.294.8942
> > 1 Hines Road. Suite 204 Ottawa ON. CANADA | K2K 3C7
> > jp.burdett@spotwave.com  |  www.spotwave.com
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.16.2/613 - Release Date:
> > 2007.01.01.
> >
> >
>