Date:         Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:55:18 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: reparing overhead AC ducting
Comments: To: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <m1ljz470qa.fsf@cs.indiana.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

The recall was a couple of plates installed in the ceiling ot prevent
the tunnel from falling. It was free - both parts and installation - up
until a few years ago. The free time has expired, but you should still
be able to get the parts. At the time I had it done, the kit was about
$8. I did a temporary fix, that had I to do it over again, I would just
live with the temorary fix, as it is more simple, and makes it a whole
lot easier to drop the tunnel for maintenance and whatever. Those two
plates in the ceiling ar a real PITA one they are installed.

My temporary fix was to make two aluminum straps that were flared on the
ends. I just wrapped them around the tunnel and screwed them to the
ceiling cross beams. It makes for a substantial support, easy to remove,
and when dressed and painted, looks fairly nice - not a distraction at all.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Allan Streib wrote:
> While the paint dries on my gas tank, I decided to take a look at the
> drooping overhead ductwork in my '91 GL.
>
> The top part of the center section has cracked at the forward end.
> Wondering if anyone has dealt with this.  Ideas that have occurred to
> me:
>
>   a) Buy a good duct section from someone parting out.
>   b) Cut back the plastic behind the cracked section, bend up some
>      aluminum sheet metal to replace, and reinstall.
>   c) try to repair the plastic with some kind of epoxy/fiberglass.
>
> I know there was a recall on this, local dealer acts like they never
> heard of it.  I removed the duct; the black plastic used on the top of
> the duct seems very brittle and crumbly, almost like bakelite.  I
> guess the material did not age very well.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>
>
>