Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:12:49 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 Coolant Tank retrofit help
In-Reply-To: <4ECA6A6A.5030702@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
To better put this in perspective $150 represents ~two tanks of fuel. By not
buying unique parts there is no incentive for anyone to make them available.
This is especially true of OEM parts. Yes the dealer charges more. Sometimes
way more. But with few exceptions aftermarket parts are less. I find it
really bothersome to remove 20 year 150,000 mile parts and have the
replacements fail in 2-3 years and 30,000 miles. Whether it be CV joint
boots, exhaust parts or even brake pads, shoes, and hoses. The durability or
performance is often just not there. But if we want the good stuff and the
unique stuff we need to be willing to pay for it.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ken Wilford
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 10:13 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 82 Coolant Tank retrofit help
OK, I can totally understand repairing these old tanks when you could not
get new ones. It was a matter of necessity to keep the vans on the road.
However when new tanks are available I believe it is a big mistake to patch
30 year old expansion tanks and not be asking for disaster. It is false
economy in my opinion. If you factor out the value of your time and the
materials to make the repair you save $150 by not buying a new tank. I
understand money is tight, etc. However you are risking the life of your
motor which would cost several thousand dollars to repair or replace if this
tank fails. It is very cheap insurance in comparison.
I get at least one call a week. Here is the gist of the call. My engine is
toasted. It happened because some old piece of plastic or rubber in the
cooling system failed while I was in heavy traffic or going over a bridge
and I just couldn't stop. Now how much does it cost to get my van back on
the road? Over $3k! If I had only known that I would have replaced my
coolant system parts when I had the chance (tears and sobbing).
I am frankly tired of hearing this sad tale of woe over and over. That is
one of the reasons that when VW came here the summer before last one of the
parts on the top of my list for them to reproduce was the 82 Diesel Vanagon
expansion tank. I know that these are almost all super old and the plastic
can only last so long. It has lasted 30 years!
That is way longer than it should have. It is past time to retire it and
install a new one. If it was a person it would have retired ten years ago
with a pension! It owes you nothing!
Please, do the smart thing and replace these parts before they fail. I am
just trying to help you out.
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242
On 11/18/2011 9:56 PM, Frank Lee wrote:
> OK so I have the closest part to Yellow Sub's original 82' diesel
> coolant expansion tank.
> I've learned I must improvise a mounting bracket, hose connections,
> and a plug.
>
> Or patch the hairline crack in the old tank..
>
> Can anyone paint me see details on how to do this.
>
> Frank
>
