Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:46:44 -0400
Reply-To:     Daniel O Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel O Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Trip Contingencies
Comments: To: md03@XOCHI.COM
In-Reply-To:  <200808261714.m7QHENZH007526@mx2.syr.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Michael,

WOW that's A LOT of big ticket parts to replace on a under 200K van. ECU & AFM should make it farther.. But maybe it's your bad luck or your mechanic's preventative maintenance.

The AT in the vanagon is the same Transmission as ALL VW/AUDI 1976-1993 The differential is different, vanagon specific. Let me clarify "the same" as there are 3 versions, this has to do with a external cooler or not and I forget on the 3rd subtle difference. But it would fit.. You can check fitment guide on this link <http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=2 &Category_Code=volkswagen-lookup>

And the Audi Turbo automatics have 1 extra Clutch pack.

For a trans guy like Daryl, German Transaxle often adverts the Trans unit on www.thesamba.com/vw for $600~ Mind you that differentials also wear, and that would bring a rebuild up to similar pricing as a 2wd standard. Here's the ad <http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=239847>

Coolant hoses are ALWAYS SUSPECT. And my intention is to change my van over to Evan's Racing coolant A lifetime coolant that DOES NOT contain H2o so you would technically no longer be watercooled ;-) It has a MUCH higher boiling point, that point where your system builds pressure. So that under normal operating temps you would be running 0-ZERO cooling system pressure.. And the fluid would be so much more inclined to stay inside, where it belongs. Evans is ~$30/gal non-dilutible lifetime, used in industry & trucking.. Yes many stationary machines require a HD coolant. Anyways, that's up to you if you want to research it out.. But as previously mentioned on the list, A full set of coolant hoses are ~$300.. Link to Evans technical site <http://www.evanscooling.com/html/npgPls.htm>

Dan Stevens

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From: Michael Diehr <> Subject:

After letting our feelings sit after our last trip : fun, relaxing, but also exciting, in the bad way, as in "is the van going to blow up in the next 5 minutes" exciting, I'm again considering options.

My 85 westy has had a lot of stuff replaced or repaired in the past 5 years: 20k miles on rebuilt engine, cleaned injectors, ECU, AFM, fuel hoses, alternator, starter, radiator, tires, AC R/134 converted, dometic serviced. About to replace the fuel pump.

It needs new springs & shocks, but at this point it seems like the only major trip-ending failure points would be the Auto tranny. Anything else? Coolant hoses perhaps?

My AT works, but is leaky and has some drivetrain clunks after 160K miles.

Would it be smart to just put in a rebuilt AT? What's that cost installed? Is there a Daryl/aatransaxle.com equivalent for automatics? I'm near san diego.


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