Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:12:33 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Friday Philosophy: On Reliability
In-Reply-To: <BEEA7E61-8BA6-4541-B8DE-8B2A3F6B20A9@gmail.com>
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I know it is no longer Friday but I would like to add some thoughts to this
topic. I am late in responding as I was busy having some fun at Daytona. Now
that the races are over I have some time to catch up on stuff.
So here are some thoughts:
Most of the systems on the Vanagon are really typical of '80 era European
vehicles. The good, they are easy to diagnose and service. There is nothing
that can't be diagnosed with a good multi-meter and occasionally a pressure
gauge. With the exception of a few key components most electrical failures
can be bypassed, jumped, etc. to get you home. Belts and hoses are easy to
deal with.
The bad: No on board diagnostics or memory to assist with intermittent
problems or the dreaded O2 sensor and related wiring issues. The cooling
system is complicated and there are a lot failure points including those
head gaskets. Add the electrical failures such as cooling fans and gauges
and you have all the workings of a hose leak growing into an engine
replacement.
Now let's talk about these engines. Pick up the phone book and look at all
those places that specialize in engines. Call a few. Very few of them work
on VW's, any of them. Next try the large rebuilders like Jasper. Why?
Insufficient demand. No for those who seem to have never worked on other
makes of vehicles
How many Toyota engines never saw 100K due to oiling issues and the
resulting rod knocks/piston failures?
GM V-6 engines with the composite intake manifolds dropping coolant into the
engine through the intake ports? ( I don't see any leaks!)
Honda automatic transmissions?
Ford V6 and small 8's shrinking head gaskets/loosening bolts. Come winter
engine cold gasket shrinks, coolant goes in, start engine next morning,
coolant doesn't compress, bent rod. Friend at work joking called the check
engine lamp the "change engine" lamp. Three engines in five years and he
owned that van from new.
Early VW inline motors-valve stem seals? Worn cam journals? Oh and rivets on
the differential ring gear failing and blowing a hole in the housing.
Ford Power Strokes with the porous cylinder walls from cavitation erosion?
The list goes on. Now keep in mind I have personal experience with all the
above and I only do this stuff on a part time basis.
I think there are two major issues that give these vehicles a bad rap. To
begin with folks buy them with little knowledge or experience and then
expect a 2025 year old vehicle to not only perform as a new vehicle but to
also be able to go on long journeys and to even be able to live in them of
some period of time. Back in 1999 I purchased my first motor home. It was a
1992 Class "C" on a Ford E350 chassis with the 460 gas guzzler engine. It
had just over 36,000 mile when I brought it home.
Blew a tire second time I drove it.
Had a real bad case of side to side rock. Had to replace the rear springs.
Ford had a technical service bulletin, (TSB) to deal with this problem.
Since I wasn't the original owner I had to pay.
First trip to Florida, belt separation on three rear tires. Replaced all 4
rear in Virginia-merry Christmas
Same trip fuel pump failed Fort Pierce Florida, Tow to dealer, rental car.
Pump had a design issue. Had to pay for pump, new mounting, gauge sensor.
Tank had to be lowered to change pump. A week and $900 later I got to drive
it home. My wife's response? We never had to be towed in Fun Bus!
Ball Joints. Rear axle noise, oil looked like road tar. Front brakes kept
warping rotors.
Just imagine this vehicle with 20 years and 150K on it!
The second issue is the knowledge and experience of service persons. If you
need a plumber or electrician for your home there is some licensing,
certificate or some method of displaying competency and liability for any
company doing this work. For automotive work there is almost nothing.
Dealers do have training programs and there are many tech schools/colleges
that offer programs. There is even the ASE. But overall most folks in the
industry have had little or no formal training. They learn on the job and
the focus is usually on getting repairs done quickly. The experience is
often limited to when this happens I change that part. When that process
doesn't work after two or three attempts things go south quickly and the
vehicle than gets blamed for being a problem. Add poor quality of
replacement parts or the damage from incorrect installations and you get a
real mess. Now let's add the do it yourself crowd and it really becomes
surprising that more folks don't get hurt on the roads. Now for the Vanagon
not only do we have the repair issues but we also have to deal with all
levels of modifications and "upgrades".
So what does this mean?
Overall I think the Vanagon can be a very reliable vehicle despite age and
mileage. The key if having not only the engine and transmission maintained
but also all the support systems. 25 year old wires are bond to break and
have connection/voltage drop issues. Still any vehicle can breakdown and the
further you are from home, the worse the weather, and the importance of
getting home on time will all increase you chances of having a problem.
Always have a backup, how to get home plan including an available supply of
money. Some folks carry lots of parts. I don't since with my luck you may
still need that engine or transmission. I carry some hose tape and clamps, a
set of belts, filters, oil, pre-mixed coolant, and tow insurance.
Dennis