At 08:55 PM 4/22/2001, Les Shiaman wrote:
>I wish i had good news to report, but I am getting buried with this vanagon.
>Here's the latest:  a puddle of coolant under oil filter, drips of coolant
>coming off oil filter and by following the trace...leads to water pump I
>think...is it the water pump just above oil filter?  What does this sound
>like?

Water pump.

>   Is it labor and parts intensive?

Parts are cheap (~$50? for the pump, then a couple o-rings and gaskets --
Bus Depot or Ken Wilford will know what you need.  It might not be the
worst thing while you're in there to replace the thermostat; if you do get
an original type (see above) not generic FLAPS part).  The pump is quite a
nuisance to remove and replace -- you'll probably need a universal-joint
socket extender, and a 6mm hex key with the short end shortened again.  But
it's low-tech stuff where you can save a hefty labor bill if you do it
yourself.  http://volksweb.relitech.com/19wpump.htm explains the
procedure.  Note that in his step four, he had regular hex bolts, but very
likely you will have Allen-type (inside hex) bolts that take a 6mm key --
that's where you'll need the short-legged one.  I cut one and labelled it
permanently for just that job.  I can find it and measure it if you need...

>  It already looks like I am in for a
>head replacement after I get the clutch job done.  I have owned this for two
>months.  I bought it with 75,000 mi. and have put 3,000 on it.  Help! what
>did I do in my last life?

You stepped on a fly -- all is lost, might as well enjoy yourself... <g>

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"