Hi all.

So I put 1206 km's on a trip from Vancouver to South
Cariboo. Must say it was nice to look at terrain
through non-work eyes. I used to tour a lot (work)
through B.C., but this time looking at the fall
colours and different sun angle was a real treat. This
part of B.C. was showing real nice with this great
warm weather etc. But enough of the artsyfartsy part!

Happy with odometer fix, but not so happy with speedo
being 20 km (too fast) out of whack. Plus it had this
funny "whir click" sound that would make needle
bounce. Plus the speedo dash light is burned out. This
didn't help night driving. And speaking of which, I am
ready to upgrade headlights, and sound proof interior,
(little 12V DC heater fan plus van noise wears on
one....).

Clutch felt great. Now I'm noticing that the pedal
cluster may need attention. Oh well, it just wouldn't
be a Vanagon withouth something to do!

Brakes were ok, though there is a vibration, of note,
when applying brakes at 80KM plus speeds. Likely from
fronts though I don't recall it being there before.
I'll check rotor dimension. Maybe rotors out of round.
All considered though, brakes worked as they should.

New Bilstien HD shocks helped with crosswinds and
handling, though bumps seemed a little more
pronounced. Small price to pay I think.

Engine worked great! Head temps (as viewed on recently
installed gauge.... dontchaknow) ranged from 350-475
F. Pretty normal from what I've read. Makes me feel
better about installing new engine seal. (KaChing!)

There was a strange noise that was completely NON
dependant on speed, motion from road etc. that
happened intermittently. It kind of sounded like a
trains' steel wheel against track sound, but MUCH
lighter in DB's. Really subtle. Don't know where to
start looking, but if you've read this far .......

maybe you have an idea??

So the weather is getting colder, and the van is not
set up for winter camping. Glad to have packed a
little ceramic heater with me. It really helped even
though weather during day in the 70's F. At night it
got down to -6 C so there ya go. And at that temp, the
old "Gator-Ade" bottle trick was convenient. ---  ;^)

Almost got the courage up to do some dry camping all
alone at a nice FREE lakeside site. Not so comfortable
being totally alone at a camp site yet. Plus there was
cattle literally roaming around the sites so was
afraid of getting tipped over while I was asleep!

Can a cow do that to a Vanagon??? ---  ;^)

Anyhow.....

Glad to have done some fall travel, and hope to do
some more.

Cheers,

Neil Nicholson.
1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

TUBATUNE!

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil/iWeb/Site%205/Todays%20Tuba%20Tune%20.html

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