Fanstastic writeup Zoltan! Many thanks for sharing that story.
You take care,
Courtney (Vancouver Island)
----- Original Message -----
From: "zolo" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 2:20 PM
Subject: I got back from CA with the '85 Westy...

> Thanks for all of you who responded to my request of help on the way
> back.  Fortunately did not need it, I could manage on my own with the
> troubles.
> I found an '85 Westy with good interior and fixer upper exterior.
> The engine was running rough but made it home to Seattle.  It is a
> previously reconditioned engine and a lot of little things are new on
> it.  The starter did hardly turn over and the help of an other fully
> charged battery did not make it either.  It started well with
> pushing.  So, all the way, I had to look out for spots with slope,
> including gas stations.  It also leaks out on top when filled up,
> scaring the attendants in Oregon where there is help at every gas
> station for you.  As I looked under, finding no spare tire, - but
> there was no jack and wrench anyway,- I also noticed that the gas
> tank was crushed by a knowledgable person who was trying to lift the
> car up, causing the sediment inside to migrate to unwanted area, like
> the outlet to the filter and fuel pump.  At halfway, after I had a
> nice day at the Pebble Beach Golf Club, making nine over par, finally
> the thing died just after refuelling.  Cold and rain did not hold me
> back from changing the fuel filter that was supplied by the seller.
> Started again and kept on going with sporadic coughing and jerking
> but cleared itself and did not do it again.  The brown color of the
> exhaust suggested that the fuel mixture is slightly lean, so I
> adjusted it one full turn clockwise on the air flow meter.  I am not
> sure if the performance got better but surely used more gas.
> I also had to take the scenic route of HWy 101 to avoid the big
> mountains and the snow and ice and chains and all the misery, because
> I did not have the confidence in the car to make it over those slopes
> other than first or second gear.
> It took me almost four days to make it home.
> I also went to see "Go Westy" on the way when I saw that I am just
> passing Los Osos.  I phoned them up, they gave me directions and
> fifteen miles later I was in their shop.  What a nice, well organized
> place with all those guys who know so much.  They supplied me the set
> of curtains that was missing from the van and a set of tires and
> wheels for my old trusty air cooled family camper.  But most
> importantly they fixed the persistent oil leak that was scaring the
> seller.  I left a stack of money at their place but I only bought
> stuff that was needed.
> So, with some fear of the unknown, I have carried on, sleeping in the
> van in the sleeping bag that I took with me, looking at great sunsets
> on the rugged Oregon coast, driving kind of high up on the hillsides.
> I did not need the heater in California but sure it would have been
> nice to have it working.  I think the thermostat did not work because
> the temp needle was low always and the heater only blew warm when it
> startd to get warmer in heavy traffic.
> Finally I got onto I-5, that is from Canada to Mexico, and managed to
> maintain a respectable speed on the straights and downhills.  Made it
> to home late night and now I can start restoring one more Westy that
> was saved from the crusher.
> Sorry if it was a little longer.  Just the way I am...
> Zoltan
>