alexander may wrote:

> I took her to the mechanic today.  It's a blown catalytic converter,
> and o2
> sensor.  He wants to charge me $987 to repair it.  Seems way to high,
> but he
> says it's becuase converters for 83s' are hard to find.  Any thoughts?

Had my catalytic converter replaced at Midas in October 2003... part:
$109.99  labor: $68.02  total: $178.01

Midas has always done good work for me and their lifetime warranty on my
muffler has given me 3 or 4 free mufflers over the years.

Midas part number (for my '84) was 59372 -- don't think there is
anything special about the cats on Vanagons... practically a generic
item, they had it in stock.  Midas warranty on this item is 25K miles on
meeting emissions and 50K miles on body & end tubes.

Geo Hahn
84 Westy
Mt Lemmon, AZ