Date:         Fri, 17 Mar 2023 23:37:45 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Shout out to Ken and Dennis The RARE vW bus vender
In-Reply-To:  <CACvdLxOP6bx3NVrt3A0VzJU0-t5MO_PPy9fj8HXaJTKaJApvtQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 Get everything fixed than needs fixing while parts and mechanics are still around.  Plain and simple.

    On Friday, March 17, 2023 at 03:17:14 PM PDT, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 Of course, the young ones are not interested in learning Vanagons (or any
particular "obsolete" vehicle).    It just doesn't make economic sense from
their standpoint.  There are lots of Toyotas, Fords, modern VWs ........ .
Few of our old vehicles.  Heck, I even found that the local junior college
auto tech program won't take in any vehicle over five years old.  That
includes my Toyota Prius, which is why I found out.

On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:51 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> *"And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be capable?"*
>
> Well... they will say they are capable because they have the Bentley book
> on the shelf... and the real capable mechanic is busy jumping from one van
> to another to help solve the problems...
>
> I have a story... my daughter was travelling recently with her '90 tintop
> from Oregon to Arizona. In Tucson a little rubber hose connected to the
> thermostat tower blew. She found a shop in Tucson and waited for 3 days to
> have a spot for repairs. They replaced the hose and some other unnecessary
> stuff. On her way back to Oregon, some hundred miles north of Tucson, the
> coolant light blinked (not overheated). I told her to check the coolant
> level in the expansion reservoir, it's very low (they didn't bleed
> properly)... she filled it up. Some hundred miles later, the same thing
> happened. I told her to check the level every morning before hitting the
> road. She happened near the GW store so I told to get a new blue cap and
> have the cooling system bleed well. No one had a spot for her and GW didn't
> do it. So I have to instruct her how to bleed over the phone and email. She
> did it with the help of her boyfriend. They made it home safely.
>
> So... yes... There are still some good mechanics with experiences on
> vanagon out there... BUT... how many young ones want to learn to replace
> them after they are gone?
>
> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:03 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> In part, this is a matter of "aging out."  If these folks are to stay in
>> business, they must hire young folks into their shops.  There just aren't
>> enough old folks who know our vehicles still around.  Just this past week,
>> I tried to set up a shop visit for my camper.  Best shop locally by
>> reputation is one called European Auto Haus.  Best tech there used to be
>> "Obie," who was trained in Germany on VWs back in the day.  He was super.
>> But Obie of course could not work forever.  He had to move on to
>> retirement, well deserved.  Sadly, European Auto Haus responded by saying
>> that there are six Vanagons in shop currently for work, but none of them
>> will get serviced before summer, and that they could not promise a date
>> for
>> my van earlier than
>> August.  And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be
>> capable?  mcneely
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > The recent post about why do you purchase from Amazon reminded me of the
>> > good old days of purchasing from our venders like Vanagain.  One of the
>> > best things was that I could ask questions about the products especially
>> > about correct fit or how to install.
>> >
>> >        I realize that now, Ken is the only vender that I can still do
>> > that with.  He is incredibly generous with his time.  I really don’t
>> know
>> > how he does it and runs a family business as well.
>> >
>> > In tech emergencies I have called Ken and he has answered the phone and
>> > helped.  Last time was when a friend was helping to install Ken’s power
>> > steering rack. It was a simple thing but we would not have figured it
>> out
>> > without Ken answering the call.
>> >
>> >        I try not to call unless I need to.  Another time when a friend
>> > was here we were stuck and called Dennis.  And sure enough he talked us
>> > through the problem.
>> >
>> > In the old days I used to talk to folks at Bus depot, but though I
>> really
>> > appreciate the business, and I hope to drop in to visit one day, the
>> folks
>> > on the phone can’t help with issues, as they don’t know VW buses.  And,
>> > sadly the site is very hard for me to use. They do however, have a lot
>> of
>> > great bus items and nice to have them on my coast!
>> > Van Cafe, was great before it was sold.  Peter and others there talked
>> me
>> > through many part installations.But, that ended.
>> >
>> > I even once got tech help from GW, but they don’t seem to do work there
>> > any longer. Though to be fair, They were very helpful in emailing
>> > information back about specific products like how to update the engine
>> > management system.
>> >
>> > So, I really appreciate that Ken sends out help videos, has useful
>> > articles and info on his site, and I don’t know how he does it, but even
>> > answered the phone and gave help directly.
>> >
>> > I do miss the days of calling the different venders to make orders, and
>> > get personal direction on the products.
>> >
>> > I think they mean well, but other then Ken I don’t think vanagon or VW
>> bus
>> > people answer the phone, or can directly assist.
>> >
>> > Hang in they're Ken.
>> >
>> >
>> > Eric Caron
>> >
>>
>