Date:         Fri, 5 Jan 2007 13:52:11 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
In-Reply-To:  <159818.47158.qm@web30215.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

-- "Burdett, Jean-Pierre" <jp.burdett@SPOTWAVE.COM> wrote:
>> 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?
>>
My favorite break-down on vacation experience occurred in 1974 in my 66
SO-42 camper.  Four of us had rebuilt the 1300 engine after I blew it up
three days before the two month trip to Mexico was to begin.  That took
five days - my first time.

While trying to start it one morning north of Guaymas the starter went
out.  Luckily it was my bus and I got to drive, not push.  We had to
push start it for four days as we explored the coastline, driving down
dirt roads to unvisited beaches.  It was a real effort to park with a
20' run out on hard pan.  So much sand.  We never got stuck or made the
pushers work to hard.

We got to Mazatlan and found a rebuilt starter.  We installed it on the
street in front of the parts store.  It was in the 90s - really, really
hot.  A crowd of 20 or more persons watched us as we sweated and grunted
taking out and replacing the starter.  The cheer that they let loose
with when the bus started right up was pretty amazing.  Lots of shaking
of hands.  The little kids danced and whooped.  It was so cool...

I owned an 82 diesel for a couple years with a factory canadian rebuilt
in it that never had any problems.

Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD