Volks,

With all the focus on my current engine problems, I think something
important is getting lost
concerning "Reliability of the VW Vanagon Platform".

If I remove the engine problems from the analysis ... here's the story.

"North American Road Trip" - Current Summary

Time: 7 months
Mileage: 28,000 miles

Trip Repairs:

- Water Pump failed / was replaced with a new pump before the trip
- 3 fan belts /  stone chip roads of the Yukon just ate them up
- Drive shaft u joint / still had the original 160k mile u joints.
- Distributor O ring / may or may not have been replaced prior to the
trip
- A/C compressor failed / complete system rebuild prior to the trip

Comments:

- Most Major components were replaced or rebuilt prior to the trip

- I don't abuse my equipment ... but I don't baby it either. I cruise on
flats at 70-72 and
have traveled hundreds of miles on washboard dirt / gravel roads. And
some dam rough
paved roads.

- I've done a fairly large amount of off roading ... logging access
roads and 4x4 trials.

- So when you remove the "Experimental Engine" issues .... it's really a
pretty amazing
story of reliability.

I didn't want this "Remarkable" fact to get lost in the muck of the
engine failure issues.

So my friends .... have faith / Hit the ROAD

Larry Chase

Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web:  <http://www.roadhaus.com/> www.RoadHaus.com
Cell: 480 620 8966
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Arizona