>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.
>
>
>