Date:         Sat, 6 Jan 2007 17:00:43 -0700
Reply-To:     honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Should have driven the Syncro! (was Re: Roadside Troubles while
              on Vacationing)
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Here is the obligatory vanagon content:

"We should have drove the Syncro!"
   -My wife

Infatuated with the 'new' car (Honda Element)
we decided to take it on a jaunt from Az to
Ks (to visit my parents)  What a mistake
that was! :-)

I toss the Yakima rocket box on top (not as much
room as the Syncro Westy) and we load up and
head out of town a week ago Tuesday.  Hmmm what's
that funky smell?  ....  Hmmmm what's that funky smell
*and* blue smoke coming out from under the vehicle?
Santa Rosa NM, at the TA travel center.. crawl under
the car, to find oil all over the place.  Great.. !  check it
and we're a good 2.5 quarts down.  Run into the store,
grab all they have on the shelf (5 qts) and put in 2.5

Call AAA get a tow to the border, then limp it into
Amarillo.   VTEC solenoid valve assy is blowing oil
all over the place.  Gasket from Dallas, have to wait
another day.  Back on the road.. starts blowing oil
again (fortunately ahead of the storm/mess on i-40
only rain to deal with)

Wichita KS, the Honda guys there say.. 'You cant
just replace the gasket.. you gotta swap the whole
part!"  DOH!  Another day or so for the part to come
from Kansas City.  Back on the road with no further
incident, although I wonder what damage has been
done.

Drop the car today at the local Honda dealer from
where I purchased.. of course they are about as
helpful as a brick wall.  Service rep doesnt have
*anything* to say like.. bummer, really sorry that
happened.. um how about we clean it up for you
for free?  etc:

 (that's the big city for you I  suppose)

I want the engine checked out..
completely.. seems to be ticking louder, but that
might just be my imagination.   Its still quieter than
a WBX'er! :-)  Same DOHC 4cyl as the accord

Evidently the idiot light only comes on when its
'out of oil' (not low)

Writing my letter to Honda Customer Relations
now...