Mick Kalber wrote:
>
> HELP!
>
> Have replaced nearly everything in the ac system and it still isn't  cooling.

Hi Mick & List,

Regarding the reliability and durability of the Vanagon WBX, here is my
spin.

1) Recently someone posted that at 140,000 miles their "worst nightmare"
appeared---yes, Headgasket leakage! I wondered just how long should the
sealing integrity of the heads remain before needing resealing? Isn't
140,000 miles enough? Why is this a "worst nightmare"?

2) I've written the list before on this point. A PRIMARY contributor to
the shakey Vanagon WBX reputation is who's performing the repairs and
service. Recently Ron Salmon of TBD wrote a distressing story of how his
Vanagon was mistreated & mauled by a so called European specialist. The
smartest thing Ron did was to stop the "specialists", put his motor in a
a box and tow it home. Now Mick in Hawaii has paid to replaced most of
the primary A/C system components and still can't get cold air! If his
"specialist" can't fix an R12 system in Hawaii he should sell his tools
and give up!

3) While not overly complex, the Vanagon requires specific product
knowledge to carry out repairs and service correctly. I suspect that not
near enough VW techs were trained for the number of units sold. Since
learning as you go doesn't pay "Gravy" flat rate, untrained, Lesser
qualified techs or the shop "Grunt" got the Vanagon work and the
workshop "Hot Shoe" got the better paying repair work. The Vanagon
cooling system should be pressure-checked each time the vehicle is
serviced but rarely is. So the chance of detecting a hidden leak or a
ballooning hose is slim to none.

Regards,    John

I still contend that much of the bad reputation of the Vanagon WBX lies
in the hands of the so-called "specialists" who have not taken the time
to self-educate on how to care for this unique and versatile vehicle!