Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:47:16 -0800
Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: was The Otter Has (CRASH) Landed! Now ... there is much hope to
be had
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
dear this old car
1. get a bentley manual
*http://tinyurl.com/ykr9g56 < 200$ *
2. go to BowWow http://www.bowwow.com/
3. Start now to learn how to repair these items yourself (refer to bentley )
1. Turn signals and 4-way flashers are blinking too quickly. Wiring
issue. A few hours work.
i would start by replacing the flasher unit (who ever heard of flashing too
quickly????)
new at bowwow for OEM part *http://tinyurl.com/yh7ftno <20$*
2. Left rear bumper missing corner. Allowing sharp edges to catch.
Pick up a new one at BowWow *http://tinyurl.com/yg4q9gc about 50$$ or *any
junk yard with Vanagons
3. Fuel lines leaking fuel. Siliconed and held by electrical tape
Replace your self now *http://tinyurl.com/yz7wxqx 75$$ to 200$$ *
4. Fuel filter not secured
Use zip ties or metal strap tie with holes and appropriate fastener
5. Multiple stretches of loose wiring. Must be resecured.
zip ties ... zip ties ... zip ties ...
6. Front wheel bearings have too much end play. Must be replaced.
I would give serious consideration to wheel bearing grease (my 69 required
this every couple of months in Okanagon Valley )
or replace *http://tinyurl.com/yzl9h5d ft outer about 20$ $ **
http://tinyurl.com/yjylrno **ft inner about 20$ *
7. Sway bar bushings are cracked - all 4.
*http://tinyurl.com/yzmoruq <10$ each *
8. Upper and lower ball joints all have split boots.
front lower ball joint *http://tinyurl.com/yhyazlg < 30$
Upper **http://tinyurl.com/ygw78qq <35$*
total parts at Bowow under 600$$ + Bentley which will prove invaluable for m
any years to come
likely vancafe or any other parts orientated list member can meet or beat
these prices
who knows .. they will chime in ...
Avoid dealer shops that are new vw dealers unless specifically known to be
Vanagon friendly
many mechanics there know less than R & R of parts and only new parts ...
unless there is a vanagon owner working there
(this is a wide sweeping generalization on my part but generally found to be
true from experience)
most mechanics or parts people or service writers in shops have no knowledge
of these nearly antique vans )
do as much of this work your self as you can
good luck
yours
On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 8:37 PM, Pat Sloan <pmsloan@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Well Curses!!! We have these words for a reason, no?
>
>
>
> Yesterday, I picked up my beautiful 1982 Volkswagen. I had paid for it on
> Oct. 21 and turned it over to a highly recommended garage in Puyallup for a
> full inspection and repair of whatever needed fixing while I went with a
> friend to Wenatchee area for 10 days. They replaced the muffler and
> catalytic converter and a few light bulbs and pronounced her ready to roll.
> Took all day yesterday to drive it up to Vancouver and go through exporting
> it from the US and into CAN. I named her 'Otter' and was looking forward to
> eventual camping fun and maybe a Vanagon get-together.
>
>
>
> 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. I scanned the insp. report and sent it to him. Will hopefully find
> out tomorrow, but not in love with the idea of paying dealer prices for
> service.
>
>
>
> So, I thought I would send this info to the Vanagon list for your informed
> opinions.
>
>
>
> I feel sick. Can't afford to put thousands more into this vehicle. It's my
> own stupid fault for sure, but I had expected to hear this kind of thing
> from the Puyallup garage before I ever left the US. Now the van has turned
> into a pumpkin. No longer registered in WA or BC. Must be taken off the
> streets or it will be impounded. (Gotta find a spot!) Meanwhile trying to
> get enough facts to decide what to do.
>
>
>
> Also, must try to find out if I have any recourse from the seller or from
> Ebay. I know that used car sales are always asis, whereis, but this is
> selling an unsafe vehicle, which I think may be different. To think that I
> drove that sucker from Puyallup to Vancouver with leaky fuel lines, bad
> wheel bearings, cracked sway bar bushings and split ball joints.
>
>
>
> Any and all thoughts, ideas, interesting curses, etc would be welcome.
>
> Thank you and Grrrr,
>
> Pat
>
--
roger w
From Proverbs:
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
servant who becomes king ...
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