I go with Stan. More and more i am dojg my own maintenance. I simply
can't trust the shops. In those cases where I farms out the work, I
don't just drop the van off and expect to pick it up ready to go. Never
gonna happen. I study the situation, learn all I can, then make an
appointment so I can be there while the work is done. I can advise the
mechanics to those things peculiar to the vanagon. And this day and age,
it's necessary. I can't tell you how many little lube shops etc that I
have stopped into and they don't know which end the engine is in, or the
transmission for that matter. And you get this 24 point service with an
oil change to inclkude all fluids,  right? They have no idea where to
check the front washer fill point, or where to look to check the brake
fluid level.

Nope, I don't go there anymore. I do it myself if possible, and I'm more
content. Oh ocassionally still go. I just replaced all the tranny fluid.
It's been three years, so it was due. Fresh Redline MT90. Got some tips
from list members about how to use a 17mm bolt and two locking nuts in
order to turn the fill and drain plugs. I've been having some hip
problems, so opted to take it to the "corner lube" to get it done rather
than struggle under the van. Poor guy working in the pit was totally
confused by that bolt with the two nuts on it. He kept telling me "it
don't fit!"
  I finally got him straightened out, and the job was done. Had a good
laugh, but it kinda sad, and was an example of how not to go about
things. Don't take your square treasure and just leave it. It may be
destroyed by the time you get back.

BTW, I do my own CV lubes now. It's not a bad chore, and I keep a spare
axle with CVs and Boots ready to go, just in case.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Andrew wrote:
> On the same note as Stan, my boss's wife took there brand new Chevy pick up to a quick lube, for it's first oil change, and they told her that the tranny was in bad shape and talked her in to an engine and transmision flush, for a mear $100 more!!! I also know a few others that were talked in to "extra" maintance at quick lube places. My VW dealer tried to tell me that I needed the have the CVs repacked every 30k on my Jetta and that they would do it.... for a small fee.
>
> Andrew
>
>
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