Date:         Fri, 5 Jan 2007 19:30:43 -0600
Reply-To:     Airic <airic@MIDSOUTH.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Airic <airic@MIDSOUTH.RR.COM>
Subject:      Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Cash can get you a lot furtherand is quicker than plastic, I don't know of
any houses by the side of the road that take credit cards.  When ever I buy
or drive an unknown maintained vehicle I carry cash, and tools of course

Most of the thngs that leave you at the side of the road  tell they are
coming.  Those metal shavings in the oil screen on air cooleds, The seaping
weap hole on the water pump on the vanagons.  The fuel pump that has been
getting louder in the past few weeks.  The wierd noise that is coming from
the wheels, suspension, or drivetrain.  That light that flickers lately, or
the the thing you have to finesse to get working.  That thing you fixed half
assed.

Those are the things that need to be fixed before you venture out of your
comfort zone,  unless you want to maintain your vehicle on the road, and
know where to get what you need, with out getting screwed.

Also suggest doing all this two weeks before, so you have a chance to ensure
it is fixed.

If you do break down, step back, assess the situation, kick yourself,
comfort your family, get your brain out and fix it.

I have been in vehicles that have broken down 4  times, 2 have been fuel
pumps, one required a tow, because running it backwards did not free it up,
and it was in the tank and we could not beat on it.
One was a cv joint that came loose( had warning sounds as much as a week
earlier)
One was a fuel filter that they guy who owned it never changed, again the
signs of inpending doom had been there 200 miles earlier, very little
acceleration.  We paid $25 just for the fuel filter on the side of the road,
that was back when gas stations fixed cars, and had parts......

Maintain and fix each problem, or you will limp along hoping and wishing you
had.

Happy Journys
Eric
----- Original Message -----
From: "Burdett, Jean-Pierre" <jp.burdett@SPOTWAVE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 11:49 AM
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?