Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:24:48 -0600
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: brake and clutch fluid reservoirs
In-Reply-To: <546A80B4.6090104@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
But Scott, didn't you read the messages that showed it COULD be
problematic? (never mind that it never has).
Jim
On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 5:11 PM, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> I heartily disagree about the location being inconvenient.
>
> ( 'hidden' yes ...and many german things force one to adopt THEIR way
> ..not uncommon in german-designed cars actually ..
> consider the valve hidden under the back seat for rear heater core
> coolant flow ..now that one *really* is odd ! ..
> it's a recognized factoid that 55 % of vanagon owners who are not in
> vanagon online groups are fully unware of that valve and its operation )
>
> The BF res ..you can check the level in flight if you want even ! .not
> recommnended for safety reasons of course.
>
> and ..here is THE Main Reason that's a wonderful location for a brake
> fluid res and master cylinder..
> Vanagons are about the only car on the planet in which you can bench
> bleed the brake master cylinder lines in place by yourself ..super handy !
> .
>
> of course..it's cheating to read the vehicle's Owner's Manual ..( re
> resevior location )
> always remove the Owner's Manual from the glove box and loose it
> somewhere where you'll never find it again.
>
> lol..I 've had someone bring me a Honda to work on ..
> a couple that drove their infant around in the car ..
> the guy said 'just ignore the brake warning light ...must be the switch
> for the parking brake handle is wonky'.
> I said ..'Honda's don't do that ..some other cars do, but not Honda's. '
>
> I get the car ..their is 1/8th inch of filter black brake fluid in the
> bottom of the brake fluid res.
> The owner's manual is in the car..
> it says 'if that light stays on , check the brake fluid level. if it's
> low, top it up, and take the car in for repairs. "
>
> I ask the woman if she ever read the owner's manual ...she just laughed.
> it's a good thing they wisely decided to bring the car in for service..
> the valve clearances...suppossed to be adjusted ever 30K miles ..had not
> been done in 200,000 miles.
> They likely would have had a 'total loss of brakes' if they didn't get
> that car into me for service.
>
> it's noteworthy that on the next van after the Vanagon..the Eurovan
> .....the brake warning light is big, bright, and in the center of the dash.
>
> ( I have one I really like ....don't want to but I really should sell it ..
> 1993 Eurovan MV pop-top, 5 speed manual trans , 2.5 liter inline 5 gas
> engine ....running.
> Located in Southern Oregon. Great interior ...perfect top tent
> ...excellent seats . Currently repairing rust damage which I am very
> good at and is actually fun and easy if ya know how. New 15 inch tires
> on stock steel wheels...set of alloy 15' inch wheels available. It's
> that Tourgquise color ..quite nice actually. $ 2,000 and I don't want
> to sell it really, but I should. )
>
>
>
>
>
> On 11/16/2014 3:53 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
>> Someone on here recently asked what the brake and clutch fluid reservoirs
>> on the Vanagon are, and someone else replied reminding us all of the
>> location of the brake fluid reservoir.
>>
>> Of course, for anyone who has ever owned any other vehicle, the location
>> is truly odd. As one who is compulsive about checking fluid levels,
>> especially when preparing to depart for an extended drive, the location is
>> quite inconvenient. One might even say the location creates a safety
>> hazard, as it makes it less likely that folks will check these fluids
>> regularly.
>>
>> Of course, others might say that so long as their is no operational
>> problem, then why check them. But both these hydraulic systems can operate
>> perfectly well while experiencing a slow leak. Then one day they fail as
>> the level drops further.
>>
>> Why are these tanks where they are?
>>
>> David McNeely
>>
>>
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