Twice to the same list with the second as a forward?  A rant for no apparent
reason?  More ice, less booze.

On 30 Oct 2003 at 17:22, Doktor Tim wrote:

> >To: type2@type2.com
> >From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@pop3.rockisland.com>
> >Subject: Observational Inspections
> >
> >How do you know how much is too much or not enough maintenance??? If you
> >follow glove box Owner's Manual and Maintenance Manual rules of thumb for
> >standard intervals, can you assume that all the rates of WEAR for the way
> >you use your car will contribute to the life you expect or the life the
> >engineers had in mind?? I say, only if you continue reading and find and
> >follow where it says EXTREME CONDITIONS. It tends to require halving all
> >intervals for such things as stop and go traffic. Short range use.
> >Infrequent use. Commercial use. They way they are typically used. It's a
> >rule of thumb approach to a rule of thumb optimum use standard which is
> >atypical of the norm in actual use.
> >
> >Note that every single individual chassis of any makemodelyear in use will
> >be used uniquely. It will be subjected to unique events in every way
> >except the purpose to travel from A to B. It will be used in a myriad of
> >ways more particularly if it is a VW Bus, Vanagon or EuroVan. They can be
> >put to 100's of uses.  So back to maintenance, how do you know which of
> >two rules of thumb to use. I suggest you replace the rules of thumb with
> >observations by inspection as the motivating info you need to prove your
> >maintenance is not just adequate, but LEAST wasteful of TIME/MONEY to get
> >the CHEAPEST RESULTS.
> >
> >The CHEAPEST result is the anti-thesis to PREMATURE FAILURE if the goal is
> >proper fixin' that stays fixed and even need of fixin' at all via rational
> >observation inspections. That's why you must establish a criteria as to
> >what you expect in terms of fixed for now or a little while. How do we
> >eVALUEate this??? The actual needs of your unique chassis for maintenance,
> >repair or restoration are all dependent upon actual use, unique in every
> >case. On the other hand is what the owner wants or expects. You can know
> >what the vehicle needs by rational inspection only. This can't be
> >harmonized with irrational wants or expectations of the owner. Of course,
> >the owner is in no place to rationalize anything in a state of ignorance.
> >Where does he get the data?? He can get all he needs himself with his
> >eyes, nose, fingers and ears. I have not found the tongue of use except to
> >sense tiny amperage leaks.
> >
> >Those printed rules of thumb are guides. They cannot hold a candle to
> >maintenance by inspection at the correct intervals learned by the notes
> >from the inspections as they progress in unique fashion as the miles add
> >up from the show room or that Used BUSVANEURO
> >
> >To get started on documenting the proof of correct maintenance for your
> >BUSVANEURO for the unique uses you use it for will require expense to the
> >tune of a $0.39 spiral pad and you could probably visit any golf shop and
> >nab a pencil for free. You have no need of an eraser. If you want
> >perfection of function you can get surveyor's books with nicely columned
> >and grided and lined and numbered pages. If you want aesthetics cover the
> >book in fabric of choice, like say, matching your custom curtain in the
> >Westy. If the inspections are going to be unique, so shall the record book
> >be unique. If you succeed in getting down the road the distance the
> >engineers had in mind when they designed it you will end up with a series
> >of 3 of these 80 page books at 300,000 miles with a vehicle in functional
> >order and all weaknesses noted for addressing at the next inspection after
> >the parts and lubricants have been obtained and verified as suitable to
> >purpose. For digital age nerds, you can iPaq it into a data base or spread
> >sheet.
> >
> >Of VALUE to note is ALL observations. Date, mileage, and notes of
> >observations. If you check the oil at every gas fill, note it's level.
> >"1/3 above add, add half quart". If you continue you will know in time
> >your rate of oil use. If you continue you will know if the rate changes.
> >At your convenience you can look into it at the next lube lube change.
> >Also note color, smell and texture. Characterize these observations with
> >words on paper for future recall. Once you have been 10,000 miles notes
> >down the road with your new BUSVANEURO you will know then just how less
> >often is required for continued monitoring.
> >
> >If the oil is dark after only one tank of gas, it's been quickly used up
> >by the crud in the engine. It dissolved all the built up crud it could,
> >it's fully loaded, it has packed the filter with crud and it's time to
> >reduce the rate of wear again after only 300 miles. Change it every 300
> >miles till all the crud is dissolved and removed and you can get perhaps
> >1000 mile intervals before it gets overloaded again. If you feel grit, how
> >do you think your cam lobes feel about that??? you waited far too long, no
> >matter any rule of thumb. This is just simple demonstration of the
> >principle. If observation says change it soon before it gets gritty or
> >another shade toward dark, change it like the machine is showing you and
> >ignore rule of thumb. You have observed facts as a better indicator of
> >when to schedule maintenance.
> >
> >This principle applied with rigor will double the life of everything on
> >the car, insure least possible inconveniences like tow bills to the shop
> >from hell, and of the highest VALUE will put you in a position of
> >knowledge such that you have no need of wasting TIME/MONEY on any
> >assumptions or guesses. If someone asked, "How often do you change your
> >oil??" You could reply, "Precisly as often as is required to prevent
> >excess wear rates." How do you do that? Via observation and notes.
> >
> >Another note on the principle. If you anticipate by observed weaknesses an
> >upcoming issue and take care of it at the next inspection it's not a
> >component failure, it's not repair, it's replacement via maintenance
> >inspection. With proper inspections for the way you use your car you can
> >watch the compression balance and know a year ahead of any failure to
> >replace it as a matter of the next inspection. Rule of thumb throws the
> >door open to unexpected failure. Observational Inspections done properly
> >rules then out. The difference is just that distinct.
> >
> >
> >
>

------
Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
85 Westphalia GL Albert
96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
taring@taring.org

"It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a turn fast
and come out dead." Stirling Moss