Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 09:55:31 -0700
Reply-To: Mike Rouby <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Rouby <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: In praise of aircooled vanagons
In-Reply-To: <2dd286c40704022007xc5662cw830c07b12179f9cc@mail.gmail.com>
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I can't say enough about how reliable my 1982 (Count 'em - 25 years old on it's original engine - which is proof positive) my aircooled Westy is.
When my engine does eventually expire, I hope to put another 25 more years or so on it's replacement.
To date I have had:
* no expensive head seals go due to coolant issues
* never had to stop due to overheating even with my A/C on
* no head bolts eaten away by coolant
* never had to flush my antifreeze
* never had to worry which type of coolant is needed
* never had to replace heater cores
* never had to purge air from my cooling system
* never had to replace the radiator or get it sent for cleaning
* never had to change a water pump
* no coolant hoses, clamps or pipes to replace
* no expensive water-cooled engine conversions
* to slow down below 70 mph so I don't get tickets :)
Yes, there are issues with any engine design (even so-called bulletproof Audi 5cyls, Chrysler slant-sixes, Volvo 4cyls and Mercedes iron-headed Diesels) - no one can claim their engine design as flawless. The VW aircooled engine is no 'Rolls Royce'
But I can whole-heartly claim that I would rather drive cross-country in an aircooled vanagon than a waterboxer anyday. It's just more reliable and while the watercooled models are faster, the aircooled speeds are good enough for me! :)
Oh by the way, my other car is a 1966 Beetle :)
Nathaniel Poole <myth.wright@GMAIL.COM> wrote: So we arrived home last night after a two week trip to southern California
via the scenic route all along the coast until Big Sur (what's a Sur?)
Across to Fresno and back up again. Total over 3500 miles. The van ran
without no more a hitch than the shift linkage needed adjusting on the way
down. Balmy 73 degree weather and sun and the rattling purr of a sweet two
litre behind us. I kept the head temps below 370, and only noticed the
temp/power issue during hills with a strong headwind, and it really was more
of an issue of maintaining temperature than powering out. I've sworn to
never take it above 400. There were four adults in that van and while it
felt a little crowded at times, we actually got a lot closer as a family.
With kids on the verge of leaving home the gap just gets wider.
This was our first "shakedown" camping trip with Marty the Zebra and I am
amazed at this rig. After all the stories I had read I was expecting the
clouds of smoke or oil or death-knell rattle and bang. By the time we
reached Monterey I gave up worrying and just enjoyed the trip. And who knew
oranges grew on trees, anyway? So cool.
To top it all off I came back with a rust-free 68 single cab in tow; I think
that should keep me busy for a year.
I don't get any better folks, really it don't.
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