Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:44:59 -0700
Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: unexpected ending to Vanagon adventure
In-Reply-To: <64FDA5F1-2C5C-4DC5-899E-F2A02D876BEF@markmcculley.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
best of luck and godspeed
On Thu, Sep 26, 2024 at 11:06 AM Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com>
wrote:
> I've had my van, a 1987 Synco Westfaila since 1995 and have had many
> wonderful adventures. However, I've not had many such adventures for the
> past 10 or so years. One reason is that as I gained interest in motorcycle
> adventures I had less time and energy to put into using and maintaining the
> van. It was neglected to an extent but in the past few years I've put a lot
> of time and money into getting the van back into a condition where I could
> trust it to go on journeys of hundreds or even thousands of miles. Systems
> that have been overhauled include all fuel lines, all cooling hoses, water
> pump, radiator, front suspension bushings, CV boots, motor mounts, and
> more. I assembled some tools and a box of spare parts so that I could
> handle many of the more common issues while on the road if necessary. I
> added two cabin batteries, a solar panel, and the necessary charging
> systems. I felt like everything was in order and set out for Montana (from
> Seattle area) about 10 days ago. It took me a while to get used to driving
> with the underpowered motor, even started worrying a couple of times that
> something might be wrong, but gradually it came back to me what my
> expectations should be. I stayed off the Interstates and took the more
> scenic and enjoyable state and US highways. Driving through Eastern
> Washington was wonderful, one of my favorite landscapes, very little
> traffic. The first night was spent at an RV park on the Tucannon River near
> the tiny town of Starbuck WA. I was up at sunrise the next morning, crossed
> the Snake River and cruised up US12 to Lolo Pass, a great road, don't miss
> it if you ever in that part of Idaho. I ended the day at where I was to
> make my base camp, a cabin in Paradise Valley south of Livingston MT. The
> first two days were both 12 hour days, sunrise to sunset. It was perfect
> timing as I'd rather not be driving at night.
>
> From my base I explored various Forest Service roads where I hiked and
> fished. A longer side-adventure was to be a multiday sojourn through
> Yellowstone and along US14 to Cody WY, then perhaps up the Chief Joseph
> Highway and then up and over Beartooth Pass. The motor had performed
> flawlessly and the Vanistan oil cooler kept oil temperature at 200F or
> below. Everything seemed to be going to plan, but alas, the side-adventure
> was not to happen. On the same day that I purchased new tires more suitable
> for gravel and dirt (Falken Wildpeak ATs), I began to notice a droning
> noise from the drivetrain. The sound was noticeable only when the 4WD was
> engaged (via driveshaft decoupler). The sound seemed to be coming from the
> rear and not the front diff. It was a constant pitch that would go away
> when I took my foot off the accelerator (and thereby unloading the
> drivetrain). I thought this can't have anything to do with the new tires,
> that must just be a coincidence. I began driving the van only in 2WD but
> wasn't confident in getting out in the boonies or going on a long sojourn.
> I hoped I would be able to get back home 750 miles in 2WD. As a precaution
> I called AA Transaxle. They (Daryl) rebuilt this transmission 24 years and
> 106K miles ago. After speaking with them I was less sanguine about this
> idea, they advised against it. After a couple days of consternation I
> decided to rent a UHaul truck and trailer and haul the van back home. The
> prospect of further damaging an expensive syncro transmission and/or
> getting stuck by the side of the road is daunting.
>
> Tomorrow morning I will load the van on the trailer in Livingston MT and
> embark on a 2-day drive home. Driving a box truck with my 4300lb van on a
> trailer will be an adventure for sure, just not the one I planned on. If
> you happen to see me on I90 West, give a wave!
>
> -Mark
--
roger whittaker 604.414.6266
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