on 7/7/06 4:58 PM, Old Volks Home at oldvolkshome@gmail.com wrote:

> Tom -
>
> Seems yer Midas guy has Vanagon (VW) and Vanwagon (Toyota) mixed up.
> Replacing the offending part (sounds like the Collector Pipe) is so easy you
> could probably do it yourself.
>
> The 83.5-85 models are relatively simple - 1 Front (FIF) Header cage, 1 Rear
> (RIR) Header Cage, 1 Left Side Collector Pipe (with the mentioned "heat
> sensor" which most likely is the Oxygen Sensor attached to the rear-most
> portion of the pipe).  The Collector Pipe attaches to the Catalytic
> Converter, which in turn connects direct to the Muffler and Tailpipe.  Can't
> get more simple than that.  If the Midas guy can't figure it out, make a run
> for it. ;-)
>
> John Connolly's AirCooled.Net is right there in Murray, UT (801) 453-1906.
> Although he doesn't do repairs, I'm sure he could get you the right parts
> and at a better price than Midas.

Yep, just did a search of BD & Vancafe & all are readily available-should
have checked before I spent the bandwidth, but I was so flabbergasted, I
thought the list would enjoy a late Fryeday chuckle. (sorry John, I forgot
about you-didn't know you carried WC parts?)

It appears an entire exhaust system on BD is about $400, VC is over $500.
At this point, even tho my buddy at Midas says that only the "cross over"
pipe is bad (Connector pipe) should I replace them all while I am at it?
(Muffler is newish w/ a Terry K strap) I believe in preemptive repairs. Also
are these aftermarket parts as good as the og vw parts?

 Midas just called & quoted moi $212 for the connector pipe ($80-95 at list
vendors), another $128 for the o-sensor, etc. & $101 to install both! These
are from VW.

I know there has been a lot of talk about the S & S exhaust system, not all
good, but trying to get a quick feel as to the direction to go w/o starting
a flame war on using the archives, tires, batteries, etc.

TIA,

Tom B.-trying to keep my friendly vw mechanic in business