Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 16:57:27 -0500
Reply-To: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
In-Reply-To: <E97981B9EF0CC44EAC6EC0653851CC6502768115@spotsrv2.dpswireless.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
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
| 
