Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 00:18:52 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: New owner questions-Syncro ownership costs.
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As compared to the normal Vanagons maintenance wise the costs are really
just incremental. You have some additional parts such as the center drive
shaft, the front diff with viscous coupling, and the front axle shafts.
Front wheel bearings are different and of course so is the transmission.
Most everything else is the same. The basic cost add ons are as follows:
Fuel economy, you do loose about 10%. 16 to 18 mpg is about normal.
Tires, you need to maintain a matched set. I use 5, rotating the three on
the right side as the right front seems to wear the fastest. If I have to
replace 1 or 2 I place the new ones one front-rear to keep the axle speeds
matched.
CV joints-boots- yes you have more. Keep them greased, change boots when
needed. The front outers are expensive. They can last a long time. FUN BUS
still has the originals.
Front Differential-Viscous coupling. The coupling is expensive. However it
too should last a long time. Normal use will have them fail by no longer
transmitting torque when needed. When they become overly aggressive, it is
almost always due to abuse. Miss matched tires, extended or excessive
turning at speeds, and aggressive off road use can do it in. Otherwise they
can go over 100K. the front diff should last forever.
The transmission, has the same weak links as the 2WD. Abuse in
reverse/granny low can leave you with a cracked low gear housing. As the oil
leaks out continued operation will leave you with a burned out mess. I've
seen the ring and pinion gears melted. Fire hazard?
Front shocks, more expensive and difficult to install. Again still along
life part.
I am sure I missed a few points but overall the maintenance costs are not
that bad considering the benefits. For the campers it is usually the
acquisition costs that are prohibitive.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Hanson
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 11:19 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: New owner questions
On Sat, Nov 24, 2012 at 7:35 AM, Dennis Haynes
<d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> Either way a
> lot of money was invested only 22K miles and who knows how many years ago.
> So why was it for sale now? If it was sold with ripped CV joint boots
> it is indicated that it was not fully serviced before the sale.
>
> Dennis
>
> <snipped>
A couple of observations here, not meant to be 'snarky' to Dennis... Who
fully services a vehicle they are putting up for sale? Not me, though I do
try to keep up on the servicing of my vehicles. I certainly don't
go...."Hey, I haven't fixed___________ in a long time, better get that done
so I can sell it" Often the reason someone is selling a vehicle it
because they've gotten sick of fixing or maintaining it or they look at it
and see a bunch of work that needs to be done and don't have the mental or
monetary resources to fix the vehicle....
And to the OP.....I hope you understand that while Syncros are really
really cool machines, they are also way up there ($) when it comes to
actual operating costs and necessary maintenance . Keeping one running
properly, keeping up with stuff that wears out... and putting significant
miles on it...from what I understand that is a costly endeavor compared to
most off road capable vehicles...I'd guess that now a days hardly anyone
drives a Syncro as a daily grocery getter, though I am sure some do. I say
this as a 'never owned a Syncro, but always wanted one and reader of
everything I see about them' guy.
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