Date:         Mon, 28 Jun 1999 21:10:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Ian Webb <ianwebb@RBNET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ian Webb <ianwebb@RBNET.COM>
Subject:      new (well, kinda) to the list with a newly-aquired '90 westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I just wanted to introduce myself to the list.  My name is Ian Webb and
I live in Roanoke, Virginia.  I just arrived home today with a nice (new
to me) 90 Westy.  I guess I'm not really that new to the list...I've
just been gone for 2 years.  I hung around on this thing for at least 2
years while I played with a '79, an '89 and a '90 (mostly just getting
good advice from those of you who know what you're talking about).  I
thought I had it out of my system, but I got to missing them, so I
started looking and got very lucky last Sunday night when a guy from
Columbus, OH posted his camper on the net (for a nice sum of $9000!!!).
I was the 2nd person to contact him and somehow got lucky enought to
drive it home today.  Its white with an awning and 10 disc cd changer, a
bunch of speakers and a big 'ole amp (sounds good).  Also came with the
alloys, PW, PL, PM, cruise, 127,000 miles, etc.

In terms of work that needs to be done (that I know of so far)...I need
a Bentley manual.  Anyone know where to get one cheap???  It needs a
good wash and wax. I also need to give it a tune up, flush & fill the
coolant, and change the oil.  I think I'll do the tune up and oil change
myself, but I'm a little scared of the flush and fill unless someone can
give me some REAL good advice on how to do it myself.  The AC isn't
blowing cold air right now, and it may just be a recharge is in order.
However, it sounds as though the clutch is always engaged or the pulley
is spinning or something, cause the engine is making a noise coming from
the pulleys that I haven't ID'd yet (more on this later, I'm sure).  The
interior is in real good shape, but I need a new sunroof (can anyone
help me out with where to find that?) and some advice about some small
rust around a few of the seams.  Oh yeah, I can't find notation in the
records about ever replacing the O2 sensor.  What is the collective
wisdom of the group?  Time to change?  Do the splice job (and if so,
how?)?

I'm sure I'll have some real specific questions for the group as I start
to tackle some of these projects, but I sure do appreciate any advice
y'all can throw my way in the meantime!

I have to say it felt really good to be driving one again (even if it is
a little slow thru the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia!).
Thanks, and its good to be back...

Ian


p.s.  In upcoming posts, I'll need to redo my rear brakes, find and
install new exhaust system, lube EVERYTHING and maybe take a good look
at the suspension...something sounds a little loose in my back end...
--

Ian Webb
ianwebb@rbnet.com