Date:         Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:16:16 -0400
Reply-To:     John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Love the 81, 73 for sale
Comments: To: icculus <icculus@PACIFIER.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

icculus wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
 have just accuired my first Vanagon. So far I love it!

 I
> blew a plug out of #2. Lame!! The shop that did the engine rebuild (before I
> purchased it) did some shotty work.

Brian,

Welcome to the world of Vanagons. I mean that in a dual sense. One, the
pleasure and feel of driving the "last" of the true VW buses and the
flaming disappointment of Jackasses claiming to be Vanagon specialists !
What does a technician need to know to CORRECTLY install @#$%& spark
plug ?

I've said it before and I'll say it again that the Vanagon's "poor
reliability & high cost of repairs" reputation lies more with lousy
workmanship and Vanagon technical ignorance than with the vehicle
itself. I have two Vanagons that I maintain 100%. I have performed many
repairs that were the result of high (>100,000 miles) mileage and to be
expected. When done correctly these repairs cost no more than repairs on
other vehicles and virtually none needed to be redone. You'll see
frequent stories on the list of breakdowns shortly after repair work has
been performed-there is absolutely no reason for this ! FInd a real
Vanagon specialist or do all your own work !

If I paid to have sparkplugs installed and one "blew out", I'd be
writing this note from prison for murdering the Jackass who did the work
and took my money!

Regards,    JP