Loosening the belt to get more life out of a dying water pump is a very
bad idea. The loose belt will slip, causing it to heat up and get
looser. Then it will either shred or fly off the pulleys throwing the AC
and power steering belts. Once the belt goes, the coolant in the engine
will expand and turn to steam very quickly. The pressure cap is not
large enough to vent this pressure. As the coolant turns to steam, the
heads warp, the gaskets and o rings at the top fail, and the excess
pressure cracks a some manifolds, tweaks the radiator and heater cores,
and destroys some hoses. The engine will not be the same if it survives
and future failure will happen. Get the water pump fixed before the
trip.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Joseph Fortino
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 12:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: trip'n

Ok i'm heading off to the great blue yonder, and my trusty old brick
will lead the
way, i only ask that it allows me to get there, since my water pump is
going or might
be going the other way, i  only can ONLY TRY TO understand ASKING please
just make this trip. :)since
my time is reached its limit.

I have VW ears that pick up sounds that only a vw person can hear or try
too.  its a odd sound
that is coming front my right drivers side, that might be a water pump
bearing since i did remove the
belt and felt its play, when i do spin it the poor thing makes a little
growl. loosen the puppy up so it
would eazy the pain, but all i ask is that its gets me threw the day,
until i'm able to replace the part and
make it threw the trip. I would never push my poor ship past the limits
but ask that it get me threw this trip.

our van is a daily and family ship, threw the year its gotta us threw
many trips.

leaving Las veags @4:pm pst friday 8/25/05 evening getting to zion with
no time limit. but before it
gets to late ;-)

this weekend mars is going to be close to the mood so say a good luck
wish and i will zoom.

peace~
Joe
4 sierra nevada's and im a poet.