Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:46:02 -0800
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: The Otter Has (CRASH) Landed!
In-Reply-To: <710A115EF8EE4BFB945DA9677CD384DC@pat43d5bf70c66>
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On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 8:37 PM, Pat Sloan <pmsloan@shaw.ca> wrote:
....
> Today I went for the final step - Prov. of BC inspection prior to
> registering and insuring her. To my great surprise, she failed (!!!!) and
> (Gulp). Here's what needs fixing:
>
> 1. Turn signals and 4-way flashers are blinking too quickly. Wiring
> issue. A few hours work.
> 2. Left rear bumper missing corner. Allowing sharp edges to catch.
> 3. Fuel lines leaking fuel. Siliconed and held by electrical tape
> 4. Fuel filter not secured
> 5. Multiple stretches of loose wiring. Must be resecured.
> 6. Front wheel bearings have too much end play. Must be replaced.
> 7. Sway bar bushings are cracked - all 4.
> 8. Upper and lower ball joints all have split boots.
>
> I wasn't at a VW garage since, of course, this inspection was only going to
> be a formality. They estimated that the repairs needed would cost about
> $3000. They referred me to Justin at Capilano VW for a more informed
> opinion.
There should be tips the Vanagon archives
http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon
on how to deal with eBay sellers. If that's needed/warranted. (there's
also lots of other great info there)
The bumper cap is not an expensive part.
Securing the fuel filter(s) should be simple. The metal canister type
is secured to frame with simple parts. Not sure about the square type.
Mine had nothing securing it.
Sway bar bushings aren't too expensive. (parts)
The larger part of that cost of upper/lower ball joints and wheel
bearings is labour. i.e. the parts themselves shouldn't be too high.
Wiring? I bet they saw this while inspecting fuel filter and hoses.
This might simply mean loose wiring harnesses near the frame. As long
as wiring isn't molested in some way, it is *likely* a matter of
securing these harnesses to the frame or wherever.
Fuel lines have to be done regardless. Just good practice when
purchasing a used Vanagon. Personally I'd consider that a "given".
I guess what I'm saying, is that this shouldn't be thousands of
dollars to fix. And, except for the poor work done to fuel lines, and
possible messed up wiring, the rest is normal maintenance.
There are other VW mechanics that could do this work.
Rudy and Peter Vancouver
Wetmore in West Van
Van Wonder in North Van (he likely has some spare used parts.....
where appropriate)
Hopefully that sets your mind at ease.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
