Date:         Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:59:24 +0000
Reply-To:     David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David M <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Dwindling Vanagon repair shops
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I'm wondering if anyone is having the same issues as me.I'm not a mechanic although I will have a go at fixing the simpler things.I've relied on three different repair shops in my area (Tempe, AZ) for things I cannot handle. No-one else wants to work on a Vanagon.Now I find one of the shops has closed permanently and another says they will only handle repairs where parts are available locally. That means just stuff available over a parts counter.So I am down to one repair shop that is 15 miles away. It costs $150-200 to get a tow there.My van is currently there, and they say it needs major repairs, although I get the impression they haven't diagnosed it properly yet.
They said the auto transmission needs resealing (it has a leak) and it may need head gaskets. They also said it needs a brake master cylinder and new brakes.I asked for estimates but I get the idea it may be thousands in repairs.
I'm starting to think this is not a viable vehicle to hold onto.This is hard to accept since I've owned it for over 25 years.
-David (1987 Wolfsburg, Tempe, AZ)