I often wonder if the replace all hoses is really such
a deal.   First it is a lot of work and there is the
cost all at once.    The fact is that there can be
hoses on your vanagon that are 15 years old that are
still in good shape.
    I guess the point I am making is that there are
really only a few hoses that go out on a regular
basis.
There are fewer still that will strand you and it is
wise to carry the old one as a spare.
    The best approach in my opinion is know the
condition of all your hoses.   Replace the hoses that
are critical on a regular basis.    These are the ones
that get very hot near the engine.   Always consider
replacing hoses when you are working on something else
and you can see it would be very easy to replace that
5 year hose, something else being the water pump or a
head or an oil cooler or any thing else.
    I have replaced more hoses than I needed to on my
87.   For example the two big hoses up front did not
need to be replaced.   Heater hoses may easily be by
passed in a pinch.
   so don't get hosed by a hose deal.   Buy what you
need when you need and you will make less work for
yourself.   gary

Date:    Mon, 19 Apr 2004 21:03:56 -0400
From:    Vanagon Man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Subject: 2.1 hose price deal

before anyone sets down the satchel to buy a hose kit,
if you have a
good
dealer, call him and ask him to be competitive.  I
have developed a
relationship with my parts dealer at VW, and he is
selling me all the
hoses
and the AT cooler hose for $521.  and no shipping
cost, he will have it
in 2
days. If you are ready to buy, pmail me and I will
give you his number,
he
will do mail order, but you will have to pay freight.

Not too bad in my opinion.

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