Date:         Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:41:43 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: AC Ducts Repair
Comments: To: wolfvan88@COX.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original

  Here's the official VW recall for that specific problem, found on this
website, along with all the others;

http://www.syncro.org/recalls.htm#1987-1989

"From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Auto Safety
Hotline - (800)424-9393. Information as of 06 May 1994

1986 Vanagon through 1991 Vanagon Built from 1985 Aug to 1991 Jun Campaign
93V175000 No. Recalled: 29,500 Campaign SU Notification Date: System: Air
Conditioner hose; Duct; Air. Vehicle Description: Vans equipped with factory
air conditioning. Description of Defect: The plastic material of the center
air flow duct, which is fastened by two mounting screws to the ceiling of
the passenger compartment, can crack and eventually break. Consequence of
Defect: If the plastic breaks where it is held at the two mounting screws,
the center air flow duct can separate from its supports and cause injury to
the passengers sitting in the center seat of the vehicle. Corrective Action:
Dealers will install a reinforcement plate at the connections of both the
center and rear air flow ducts.
Volkswagen United States, Inc. 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Tel.
(313) 340-5000 February 1994 Subject: Recall Campaign SU Dear Volkswagen
Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Volkswagen has determined
that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1986-1991
model Volkswagen Vanagon and Snycro vehicles equipped with factory-installed
air conditioning. Our records show that your vehicle is affected by this
voluntary recall action. Defect Description Volkswagen has determined that
the operation of vehicles on rough roads could, over time, cause breakage of
the plastic material used to attach the air conditioning flow ducts to the
roof. If this happens, the center air flow duct could separate from its
attachment and fall down, which could cause injury to passengers sitting in
the center seat of the vehicle. It could also distract the driver. Remedy
Your Volkswagen service technician will secure the air flow ducts by
installing a reinforcement bracket. Brackets are available at Volkswagen
repair facilities. Your Action Please contact the Service Department of your
authorized Volkswagen retailer for an appointment to have the necessary work
performed as soon as possible. The repair will take less than one hour and
will, of course, be free of charge. Precautions If you notice that the air
flow duct mounted to the ceiling is loose, please contact your authorized
Volkswagen retailer immediately and make sure than no passenger is seated in
the center seat below the air duct until the repair is performed. Service
Problem Help If your authorized Volkswagen retailer fails or is unable to
rememdy the defect free of charge within a reasonable time, please call or
write to: Volkswagen United States, Inc. Attn: Customer Relations 3F02-SU
3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2855 Toll-free Telephone: (800)
822-8987 If you still cannot obtain satisfaction, you may file a complaint
with: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, US
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C.
20590. Telephone: 800-424-9393; (Washington, DC area: 202-366-0123). We
regret any inconvenience this matter may cause; however, as part of our
commitment to ensure your safety and maintain your satisfaction with our
product, we would like to repair your vehicle as soon as possible. Thank you
for driving a Volkswagen. Sincerely, Andreas H. Steglich Product Compliance
Manager"

HTH,

Mike B.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Lilley" <wolfvan88@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:06 PM
Subject: AC Ducts Repair


> 1988 Wolfsburg Edition with the AC Ducts down the center.
>
> My top ac ducts were cracking and falling down due to broken plastic under
> the metal plate and along the top sides.  The ducts are being held in
> place from the top and over time that starts to break down.  To fix it, I
> put a thin aluminum band (1 inch wide by 1/8" thick)around the outside of
> the duct and then put the ducts back in, trapping the top of the band
> between the duct and the roof.
>
> Roof of Vanagon
> Aluminum strip
> plastic duct
> metal plate
>
>
>
> The aluminum strip was easy to bend into shape and I did not have to drill
> any holes in the strip either.
>
> It looks good and the best part is that the ducts should not fall off...
>
> If you want pictures email me...
>
>
> Robert
>