Date:         Sat, 6 Jul 2013 02:42:06 -0700
Reply-To:     David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Strange sound and other problems
In-Reply-To:  <A178B5AA-EF2D-454D-92BC-B24080D390F5@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1





I was driving along slowly in a parking lot when I heard the strangest sound. It sounded like something under great tension had suddenly been released. I thought maybe a belt had snapped. Then a few yards further on I braked and heard the most horrible sound, like a metal on metal scrape (not a squeal). I have never heard either of these sounds before in over 40 years of driving. I checked under the hood and all the belts were fine. Since then I have driven maybe 10-15 miles and the sounds have never repeated.

I still have the problem of the van intermittently refusing to move after pulling up to a light. It happened to me twice today and was highly embarassing as I was about to make a left turn on a green arrow with a line of cars behind me. I could only move just enough to let the cars pass on my left and then had to reverse back as the green arrow had gone. On the next green arrow, the van took off normally. After this, a couple of times while driving,  there was an odd sensation like some giant hand had grabbed the back of my van and tried to slow me down or stop me. The van is going into the local German car expert on Tuesday to have the emissions failure diagnosed so I will mention these things to them. I can see this being an expensive proposition.

I had hoped to be able to replace the catalytic converter and OXS sensor before I took it in as I strongly suspect they will need to be replaced and I know I will be charged VW dealer prices (plus markup) for them. Unfortunately, the Bus Depot is taking longer to get the items to me than I had hoped. My registration has already expired and the Vanagon is my primary transport so I am under the gun.

PS. Non-Vanagon related but I just got back from a vacation where I rented a 2012 Toyota Corolla with 1.8 4-cyl engine. What an amazing vehicle! Ultra-smooth (can barely hear the engine running), incredibly powerful, 30mpg. After getting used to that and then using the Vanagon again, what a difference.

-David (1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon)