Date:         Mon, 9 Jul 2012 14:28:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Subject:      Middle of BC trip report,
              roadside repair update and brake question
Comments: To: "diesel-vanagon@yahoogroups.com" <diesel-vanagon@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hi All,

After fixing the overheat problems we took off from Edmnton on our BC trip. On the recommendation of many listmembers we went down rte 23, 6 and 31A through the Arrow, Slocan and Kootenay  lakes. Very nice trip so far. We enjoy the small towns and local history. Being near the lakes is nice in the current heat wave. 


Have not had problems with overheating anymore. Temp gauge goes to 3/4 at most.

Had an unexpected roadside repair near Revelstroke. When going up the mountain parkway in Revelstroke national park I heard a bearing scream and then just half a minute later a clang and alt light went on and temp needle up. Pulled over and saw water pump belt had jumped off. Turns out the alternator bearing had completely seized. This is on a just 2 year old Bosch rebuilt 90A. Maybe 5000km on it tops. Stopped in Lordco parts in Rebvelstoke and ordered another Bosch rebuilt. Came next morning and now alt is working. Remarkably water pump seems to have survived the stress so far. Don;t want to do that repair on the road.. (Pump housing and shaft must have gotten a stong force when the belt jumped off) \\

Just yesterday I felt brake pedal getting a bit mushy. Does not leak brake fluid visibly and I don't see the level going down in the reservoir. I'm guessing maybe master cylinder. Symptoms is that the first brake is mushy, then it builds pressure and is stiff as usual. Seem to be same symptoms as with a leak, except didn't notoce fluid loss. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Martin, family and '82 Diesel Westy