Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 07:45:52 EDT
Reply-To: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Subject: Vanagon Confidenc (was: one year anniv.)
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Vanagon's are not like your average daily driver. They can be heart breaking
at times but I think this makes them more like family than a vehicle.
I do, however, think that with the proper maintenance you can be confident
enough in your van to take it anywhere (hey I have driven up and down the
eastern seaboard and across the country in a Vanagon and have never broken
down yet).
How can you do this.
1. Find a good mechanic. One that knows Vanagons. This doesn't necessarily
mean go to the dealer since most dealers are more ignorant about Vanagons than
you are and their mechs probably haven't touched one in a year or so (at least
that is what it is like on the east coast). Or get busy with a wrench
yourself and get to know your van mechanically.
2. Be a detective. When you drive your van to the store do you smell any
funny smells, do you hear any strange noises? Do you feel any vibrations that
shouldn't be there?
Most major breakdowns don't happen instantaneously. They take time and they
give tell-tale signs that they are occuring.(The smell of sweetness when you
pass the rear of the van, etc.) Yes it is possible for you to have a
catastrophic failure with your van right out of the blue. But I think most of
these problems that people face are ones they could have prevented if they
only took the time to look, listen, smell, etc.
3. Be prepared as much as possible. Leaking head gaskets (which is the
primal fear of all Vanagon owners) doesn't have to be a trip ending worry.
Take some engine sealer along with you on your trip (I recommend Moroso
Ceramic sealer since you can put this in and it will even seal cracked heads
for months or even years). Take some hose clamps and duct tape. Take some
basic tools with you. Take a gallon of antifreeze/water with you and a few
quarts of oil. You would be surprised how many times you can use these basic
items to get yourself out of a jam.
So if you want to live in fear that your van will break down and not have any
fun with it then go right ahead. But I have had more fun with my vans than I
have ever had worries over them and I think you can too.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
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