Aaron,

From your job description, I'd wager that you
probably won't have any trouble affording to
have a garage maintain your vanagon/westy.
However, if I were out in the field as much
as you probably are, I'd at least want to know
the basics of getting my hands dirty with any
vehicle I owned.  As you've said, it's good to
have the knowledge of the list and maybe the
manual available to help out with the particulars.

Cheers!

Steven

--- Aaron Pearson <Aaron.Pearson@GXT.COM> wrote:

> why can't i have a vanagon if i don't do my own
> repairs?  i am a
> geophysicist, it's my job to find oil and gas.  i
> don't tell people they
> can't use gasoline or heat their homes unless they
> find the stuff
> themselves.
>
> when my limited spare time comes around, the last
> thing i'd like to be
> doing  is bashing my knuckels under my car in my
> garage.  i can do
> little, easy things, where if i mess up i still have
> a functioning
> vanagon.  but there are numerous expert mechanics a
> few miles from my
> house who are happy (and more qualified) to fix or
> prevent any problems
> with my van while i am at work.  when i am not at
> work, i can drive my
> van to the mountains or whatever and use it for what
> it is intended.  i
> have enough knowledge, mostly thanks to this list,
> so i know what to
> tell my mechanic and what he is telling me.  i also
> know what to tell
> the ford mechanic in alamosa who has never seen a
> broken volkswagen.
>
> i have a non-westy, so it was relatively cheap.  i
> have spent far less
> at the mechanic then i have in payments on my newer
> car.
>
> aaron
> '87 syncro gl
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Stan Wilder
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 5:49 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
>
> If you don't like auto repair work, don't buy a
> Vanagon.
> It stands to reason if you paid more to get a really
> good and dependable
> Vanagon Westy then you wouldn't have to worry much
> about working on the
> van.
> Not so! Vanagons require a considerable amount of
> preventive maintenance
> and a great deal of mollycoddling just to keep them
> on the road.
> I've stated this before but here goes again; "You
> will probably spend as
> much on maintenance and parts within the first year
> of ownership of a
> Westy as you paid in the purchase price".
> As for me I paid $2000.00 and spent well over
> $3000.00 that first year.
> I replaced both the engine and transmission that
> first year, along with
> tires, brakes etc. etc.
> If you've been lurking on this list it should have
> scared the hell outa
> you.
> Get yourself a nice Chevy or Dodge conversion van
> and fly past the
> Vanagons and Westy you see on the highways
> struggling to keep them up to
> 68 mph.
>
> Stan Wilder
> Engine Ceramics
> 214-352-4931
> www.engineceramics.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Matthew Fredericks"
> <fredericksmatt@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:32 AM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon Musings
>
>
> > This brings up (or answers) a question of mine.
> I'm thinking of
> > buying an
> > 84 Vanagon.  It seems to be well-maintained, but
> it would be my first
> > Vanagon.  I've been wanting a VW bus for some
> time, but after
> > consulting some friends, I wonder if I'm actually
> 'handy' enough to
> handle a Vanagon.
> > Truth be told, I've never really worked on my own
> car (I'm usually
> > without one!).  I know Vanagons are easier to work
> on than many
> > computer-chipped cars, but if standard
> expectations for owning a
> > Vanagon involve many hours with the hood up (or
> many dollars to
> > foreign auto mechanics), uh-- I might be biting
> off more than I can
> chew.
> >
> > Any opinions?  I'd appreciate any feedback.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Matt
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 5:44 AM
> > Subject: Vanagon Musings
> >
> >
> > > Seems there is always something to do on your
> vehicle if you own a
> > > Vanagon. Mine has needed some attention for
> sometime and I finally
> > > broke down and started in on the list of
> projects.
> > >
> > > 1)Windshield leaks - both bottom corners - and
> badly sand pitted
> > > _Action_ -  Installed a new windshield with new
> rubber seal 9Bus
> > > Depot) without trim groove. CA look.
> > >
> > > 2) Leaking Power Steering Rack
> > > _Action:_ replaced PS rack with rebuilt Mavel
> unit. New rubber and
> > > bushings. Installed new  PS system filter. (Ken
> at Vanagain.com)
> > >
> > > 3) Blown Seams in Muffler, Dead O2 sensor
> _Action:_ new Muffler and
> > > Tail Pipe (Ken at Vanagain.com), New Bosch O2
> sensor ( Small Car
> > > Parts, B'ham, AL)
> > >
> > > 4) Spark knock under load
> > > _Action:_ Tune up - New plugs, rotor finger,
> distributor cap, air
> > > filter (Small Car Parts, B'ham, AL)  re-set
> timing.
> > >
> > > 5) Squealing Disc brakes, binding rear brake
> _Action:_  Machine rear
>
> > > drums and front rotors, lube front wheel
> bearings. Install new rear
> > > brake cylinders,  install new front pads and
> rear shoes. Install new
>
> > > front spindle locking nuts.( parts from Ken at
> > > Vanagain.com)
> > >
> > > 6) CV Bearings
> > > _Action: _Inject CV grease into boots under boot
> edge using hollow
> > > needle greasing tool. Massaged grease into
> bearings.
> > >
> > > 7) Manual Tranny Service;
> > > _Action:_ Bi-annual tranny fluid change -
> Redline MT-90
> > >
> > > 8) Oil Change
> > > _Action:_ Change Oil - Mobil One 15W50, Mahle
> filter
> > >
> > > 9) Coolant  Change
> > > _Action:_ Flush system and fill with 4 gallons
> (est) of 50/50 Texaco
>
> > > biodegradable orange, two bottles of Red Line
> Water Wetter.
> > >
> > > 10) Dead AC system
> > > Action: Flush AC system, install new filter, new
> compressor, new
> > > seals, test and service the system. (Parts from
> Ken at Vanagain.com)
> > >
> > > That is the current list just accomplished.
> > >
> > > Other projects in the next few weeks:
> > >
>
=== message truncated ===

__________________________________
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
http://farechase.yahoo.com