Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2023 20:19:46 -0800
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vintage machines
In-Reply-To: <A4EE34DD-5F94-4693-978B-34299111A510@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I had a 1986 Subaru, bought new in Lexington, KY. I broke it in and drove
it to Victoria, BC after break-in. On the road home, it started knocking.
Found a Subaru dealer in Pendleton, OR who said, "Oh, that's normal,
especially so soon after break-in. It will clear up by the time you get
home to Kentucky." Dubious, I drove home. It did not clear up, but did
not break down. I went to the Subaru dealer in Lexington, who said, "Oh,
that's normal, don't worry about it. It's just the distributor 'walking
around' due to the drive belt working with the cam. There's no problem."
I drove the car with that knock for a year, by which time I had returned to
the deale multiple times as the knock really troubled me. Eventually, I
was told, "Oh, we have a service bulletin. We need to tighten the drive
belt every 6K miles." So, I let them do that, and the knock went away, but
came back. They tightened. They tightened again. One evening on my
commute between Lexington and Morehead, Ky (I lived in Morehead but had a
summer appointment at University of Kentucky), on the interstate the belt
broke, and I was stuck beside the highway. I had the car towed to the
dealer. The dealer replaced the belt, but Subaru would not cover the cost
of several hundred dollars for the tow and repair. I filed a complaint
with Subaru of America, pointing out all the times I'd had the car in for
service. I got a very nice, "We're sorry, but the belt is a wear item,
like oil or tires." I filed a complaint with the DoT asking for coverage
under the "Lemon Law." I got nothing. I kept all documentation, and wrote
to Subaru of America once a month for 3 years.
The car never knocked or broke down again and I drove it over 200K miles.
Finally after 3 years I got a letter from Subaru of America stating that
they had gotten "bad material" in a shipment of drive belts, and that I was
due a full refund of all repair costs I had had, and a "mitigation
allowance" of $500. The letter included a check for the sum of those
amounts.
You could have floored me with a feather.
But I haven't bought another Subaru. I believe that engine is the one that
is commonly transplanted into Vanagons.
McNeelyr
On Sat, Jan 21, 2023 at 7:56 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi Richard,
>
> I owned two Subaru’s in the late 90’s and early 2000. They were
> great all wheel drive cars. We called them the state bird of VT.
>
> But, I got away from them because both my cars and my friends cars
> all had head gasket failures at or before 100K. I think they have solved
> that issue now, but it sort of disappointed me back then. I hope you have
> one of the later motors where that was addressed.
>
> Conversions are great but they all come with issues. My friends
> with ford motors say they are best, but then later they describe issues.
> Friends with Jetta motors seem very happy, and If I was to do a conversion
> I would have leaned that way. The Subaru we borrowed was lovely. But,
> over all I love the sound and feel and magic of a close to original
> Vanagon.
>
> It isn’t just about reliability for me it is the good energy from
> the VW community, the smiles from folks as we meet them and pass on the
> road. The reaction to the van from small children, and the fact that with
> a little direction I can fix or maintain more on the van then I could with
> other vehicles.
>
> Each van has it’s own character enjoy it as long as it brings you
> joy.
>
> But, eventually we will all likely need to find a care taker to
> take our place. Unless we choose to simply use up the vehicle.
>
> Several of my older VW friends have discussed the concern of
> figuring out who to leave the van to. Sometimes the family just doesn’t
> include the right person.
>
> Anyway, keep smiling and enjoying the best ride I know of.
>
> We are very lucky folks to have one of these vans in our world, no matter
> what the current motor.
>
> Frankly, my dream is to someday have a gas free power plant in one of my
> vans.
>
> But for now I enjoy the care taking and the great support from all of you
> on this list.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
> > On Jan 21, 2023, at 10:19 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> wrote:
> >
> > And....did you ever hear the phrase CNC back in 1985? I didn't, and I
> was fully in the game. So...precision, metallurgy, electronics. Yes,
> these things all happened around then. It blossomed around 1990...I was
> there.
> >
> > On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 06:28:07 PM PST, Alistair Bell <
> albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >
> > Subie 2.2? Early nineties 2.2?
> >
> > 30 year old engine type. Not as great a following of the original
> vehicle it was fitted to compared to vanagon…
> >
> > 1992 legacy …. Thin on the road here :-)
> >
> >> On Jan 21, 2023, at 6:04 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> About 15 years ago, water pump on my 1.9 failed. No problem.
> Install new waterpump. But a huge problem: during disassembly, cracked
> the thermostat housing. NLA. I drove all across county, and got a used
> one at VW junkyard. Mechanic smiled when he saw that.
> >> I have noticed....GoWesty now provides same. Of course, it took a
> decade. So, my Vanagon sitting on lift for a decade awaiting part.
> >> Meanwhile....Subie 2.2 motor transplant. Super HP and Smog pass no
> problem. Parts readily available anywhere in USA. I love it! Just saying.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:43:45 PM PST, Eric Caron <
> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes,
> >>
> >> This seems to be generally true for most car things. My Honda
> was needing parts and the cost and quality had the same issues.
> >>
> >> But, I’m pretty happy generally with most parts I am getting
> for my vanagon.
> >>
> >> And, fingers crossed one can be an optimist and a realist. That seems
> like a nice combination.
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 8:35 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I think the bottom line is…
> >>>
> >>> It’s all going to be more expensive
> >>>
> >>> Not always as good
> >>>
> >>> And not everything
> >>>
> >>> :-)
> >>>
> >>> Ab
> >>>
> >>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 5:34 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> The key word you suggested: maybe.
> >>>>
> >>>> You describe yourself as an optimist; I describe myself as a
> realist.
> >>>>
> >>>> I hope you are right.
> >>>>
> >>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:28:52 PM PST, Eric Caron <
> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Absolutely,
> >>>>
> >>>> Getting good parts is a challenge.
> >>>>
> >>>> My fingers are crossed that they will improve. Maybe more 3D
> printing out of metal for example. I’m a optimist.
> >>>>
> >>>> I’m often surprised by things like the return of items at venders
> like Uniwerks, or creative solutions like the Mullendore starter adaptor.
> Folks seem to be continuing to support our vans. Even metal evaporation
> tanks and now even replacement alternators and starters that folks report
> are good.
> >>>>
> >>>> Fingers crossed for good CV boots.
> >>>>
> >>>> Though. I may have a lead on some good ones. I’ll get back to
> everyone once I secure a set to check out.
> >>>>
> >>>> Eric
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 8:21 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> They made a WHOLE lot of aircooled Beetle engine stuff. All around
> the world. Vanagon stuff: Not so much, and in my locale in San Diego,
> resources are drying. I don't mean to be negative.
> >>>>> But for sure...even with a skilled mechanic....if he can't get the
> part....you are in for a bad time. Just saying.
> >>>>> I wish I could be more enthusiastic. But I'd be lying if I said
> otherwise; and I won't do that.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:12:05 PM PST, Eric Caron <
> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Yes,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> No denying that the machines are getting older. But the drivers
> and mechanics? Some are getting younger. At the recent bus event. Most
> vans were older air cooled. But most of the drivers I met were fairly
> young. From 22 years old to 58. Many young families as well. Many
> venders were younger then I would have expected.
> >>>>> I have heard many say the vans and fouls wanting them will fade
> away but I’m not so sure after seeing that gathering.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Fingers crossed we keep a support network going.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> And, hopefully the young folks can afford the vans.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Eric
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 7:48 PM, Richard Koerner <
> rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> We all know..this is the crux of it. Vintage Vanagons, vintage
> mechanics. Just the way it goes.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 04:37:24 PM PST, Alistair
> Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> It does and good man Dennis!
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Things would be a heck of a lot tougher without list and guys like
> Dennis. Seriously , we are driving vintage machines ….
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Ab
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>
> >
>
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