Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 11:37:47 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: vanagon difficulty
In-Reply-To: <21659742.6024.1251935369585.JavaMail.mcneely4@127.0.0.1>
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On Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM, Dave Mcneely<mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> David Beierl asked what is it about vanagons that makes me consider them
> difficult. Here:
>
> The are unreliable. Given their age, that is expected, but they NEVER
> were as reliable as Japanese vehicles, which in my experience seldom
> need repair.
>
> People who can (or are willing) to work on them are rare, especially in
> the middle of the country. General shops can handle most vehicles.
> Take a vanagon to one, and if the shop accepts it, the repair will
> likely be done wrong.
....
> A NON-difficult vehicle is one that seldom breaks, and when it does, can
> be easily repaired at a wide variety of shops at reasonable cost.
> That's not a vanagon.
This is written from the POV of owning a 1981 Westy.
In some ways, I agree. Though based upon some assumptions (I've never
owned one) IMO, a popular North American 199x van will likely be
easier to get parts for and repaired if stuck in the middle of BFE.
Especially a Ford/GM/Chrysler. But, one can get stuck anywhere. What
if one is camping off of a FS road in their Ford Sportsmobile? AFAIK,
AAA won't come get you when stuck out in the sticks. Doesn't matter
what you drive then.
As of yet (knocks on wood) I haven't been broken down in the middle of
BFE in need of a Vanagon part. At the very least, if it was a non
FLAPS part, it would set me back, time-wise. Thankfully though, the
world is quite connected these days so I could at least get a part
from a well known vendor. And, lists like these can provide
alternatives. (over on the Samba, there's a thread about using a Ford
fuel pump IIRC) But, depending on the repair needed, (i.e. I'm really
loath to drop a motor or tranny w/o proper tools) this might change
the scenario. But as per above, that could happen anywhere. IMO it all
comes down to being responsible and prepared.
These days, I think any Vanagon owner, or owner want-to-be would be
well advised to at least have a basic understand of what various parts
do, what they need, where they are, and read up on some of the more
common problems that crop up. My guess though, is that for the most
part, this normally happens regardless of what "profile" the owner
has.
I bet the SMB people know their rides. And likely most RV types too.
As far as "difficulty" goes, I guess this depends on ones POV. I never
really planned on "getting into" fixing/upgrading my Westy. At this
point it's almost a restoration! With that in mind, I can say that the
combination of inherent learning curves, PO's lack of maintenance or
incorrect maintenance, the odd crappy aftermarket part (like a rebuilt
caliper that leaks, or crappy shoes), it can be really discouraging. I
mean I really want to enjoy my Westy, and I do, but *some* DIY
repairs/upgrades, take longer than planned. But the upside is that I
will know this ride *really* well and for the most part, will have
rebuilt it. The goal being to get it to the point that I can take a
*long* trip in it w/o as *much* worry about getting stuck in BFE. (but
then I worry too much. <grin>)
Though the OP has addressed this somewhat, from my POV at this point
in time with a 1981 Westy......
What 28 YO vehicle with high KM's, (especially one with extra systems
like the Westy), *wouldn't* provide some or all of these
'difficulties'?
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
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