Good morning!
        Thanks, Otmar Ebenhoch, for reminding me that my coolant expansion
tank was badly cracked when I bought my van.  The seller patched the crack,
which seems to have taken care of the problem.  But I suspect the integrity
of the plastic is not to be trusted.  Should I replace the tank?  Both
tanks?
        No, Otmar, I do not yet have a VW Guru yet in the Bay Area, tho I am
in the process of choosing one.  I do not live in Ukiah.  I live in the
redwoods and am accustomed to driving distances for goods & services.
        Several of you have thought $137.50 high for flushing/bleeding &
changing the thermostat.  This estimate was based on his estimate of 2.5 hrs
labor.  Even doing the flush/bleed by hand, do you think 2.5 hrs
unreasonable?  If so, I still have time to negotiate the cost or find
someone else to do the work.  Let me know what you think.
        Are there any strong biases for a particular brand of 20-50 oil.
When I bought a case for Mexico, I just bought the major brand on sale that
day at the big box store.  I am due to buy another case.  For really hard,
critical driving is there a superior brand of oil?  And what do Vanagon
folks think about regular VS synthetic lubricants?
    Good luck