Date:         Wed, 24 Feb 1999 16:14:46 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Key and Owners Manual
In-Reply-To:  <LOBBKLHHCJIDGLGEGPFHOEGMCAAA.jliasse@toast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> The Bentley is FAR superior to the Haynes and if you only get
> one get it. It's $90 or more but it is the cheapest $90 you will
> ever spend. The only trouble with the Bentley is that it is
> addressed to mechanics. It assumes you know something
> about things mechanical and sometimes you have to consult
> a second source to figure out what they are talking about.


I sell the Bentley for much less than that ($66.95), and am also the sole
U.S. distributor for the two other manuals written for the watercooled
Vanagon (the Haynes, $24.95, and the Pocket Mechanic $16.95, both printed in
the UK).  While I generally agree with Joe's comparison, I don't know that
I'd call the Bentley FAR superior or just different.  It covers much more
than the others do, such as Syncro specific parts, removal of the Westfalia
interior, etc.  It is also more detailed in general.  But as Joe noted, it
is also significantly more technical in nature.  The others are written more
for the backyard mechanic, and can be easier to follow.  Ultimately you
should probably have a Bentley and at least one of the other two.  You can
use the other manual as sort of a "Cliff's Notes" for the Bentley manual
when the Bentley refers to a "VW special tool" that basically could be
replaced by a flathead screwdriver.  But you'll still have the Bentley for
jobs that are not covered in detail in the other two manuals.  However, if
you are technically or financially challenged, the two inexpensive manuals
are both more than decent for the price.


> Does anyone know how to get a key for the water inlet port
> on my '83 Vanagon/Westfalia.

Replacement keys for the older style tank water fillers (with the lock
cylinder on the inside rather than on the flap) are no longer available.
However, someone posted about year ago that a locksmith was able to make
them one, using a certain key blank. You may want to check the archives, as
this would be your cheapest solution.  Another option is to replace your
filler inlet with the later style one (which opens up like a funnel, isn't
prone to breaking hinges, and comes with two keys), which I sell for $49.95.
If your inlet is also cracked or has a missing door, this solution would
kill two birds with one rather expensive stone.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot
  http://www.busdepot.com