Date:         Mon, 24 Jun 2013 00:51:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Eric Caron is on the road!
In-Reply-To:  <CANEuo0jppTsoi5htEMOmJiRMUDj_XwU6JdxspETvQJKtQu=Q8A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Eric Caron, his current guide dog, retired guide dog, and Heidi the  amazing driver had a great 300 plus mile trip home from New Jersey to Vermont, traveling   in the 85 Westfalia recently seen in Ken's upper ball joint video and in the video done in it's introduction when it came up for sale.
        What a potentially scary thing to do, buy a Westfalia without ever really seeing it from far away and then driving it home. This is the second time in my life I have done this and again it has worked out great!

Driving back I followed recommendations from this group and kept the van at between 3400 and 3600on the tachometer and this resulted in speed between 55 and 60 miles per hour.  And, I thought the just over 20 miles per gallon seemed reasonable.

I hope this sounds about right compared to others with a 1.9 engine.

        One interesting thing, Ken mentioned always paying attention to the dash lights.  If there is a indicator stop before there is a problem.  At the end of our trip, with about 5 hours behind us and a hour to go the oil light came on!  This happened right as we started to idle waiting for the tole booth.  We pulled over and then read the original owner's manual and it said.  If the oil light comes on it may not be a indicator of low pressure.  If there is a problem the Oil light and break light would come on together.  If just the oil light comes on when idling after prolonged driving , it should go out when you accelerate. Sure enough.  a touch of the gas made the light consistently go out.  the oil level was perfect and the engine purrs happily. That was a slightly scary moment but all is well and documented as normal for VW operation.



It was great meeting Ken and I only wish I had him near by to continue the great work he has done maintaining this camper.

I still can' hardly believe he stopped  the work  he was doing to first spend almost a hour driving us to the car rental drop off, and then going over the camper with us, exceptionally generous  as I was purchasing the van from Ken's long time customer not from Ken himself.  


        This community is truly made up of  positive and supportive folks!

Eric Caron 
85 automatic Westfalia
Now located in southern Vermont 

On Jun 21, 2013, at 7:14 PM, kenn
eth wilford (Van-Again) <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

> Eric came to pick up his 85 Westy today.  It was great to meet him and his
> helper/driver and the two puppies.  I hope he gets as much enjoyment out of
> the van as previous owner did.
> 
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com