Hmmm, not altogether true. He doesn't post anymore, but check Stan Wilder's
posts in the archives about dropped valve seats in the air-cooled Vanagon
models.

That will screw up a vacation just as well.

Dave

On 1/5/07, Zoltan <zolo@foxinternet.net> wrote:
>
> See!?  Almost all of these are water cooled related, including the Power
> steering and the likes.
> The Air Cooled vans are really holding up well on the trips.  Especially
> if
> they are carburetor models, the likes they have in Europe.  Wonderful.  I
> never had to open the rear door.
> Zoltan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack R" <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:57 PM
> Subject: Re: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
>
>
> > Aside from the Water pump failure, I have been able to limp home with
> the
> > following situations:
> > 1. Manual Transmission Failure - lost 2nd or 3rd gear, can't remember.
> > Went
> > to a local transmission shop while on the road, changed out the fluid,
> and
> > made the 350 mile trip home (holding the shifter in 4th gear, so it
> > wouldn't
> > pop out).
> > 2. Fuse panel melt down, due to not using a relay for my 80/100W
> > headlights,
> > drove home under daylight.
> > 3. Head gasket failure, made it home, and drove it around town on 3 cly.
> > Power and smoking problems, but still drivable.  Replaced motor over the
> > past summer.
> > 4. Rusted PS line, removed belt, and drove it until I replaced the line.
> > 5. Broken front sway bar links, drove it home slowly, and watched out
> for
> > cross winds.
> > 6. Blown off the road in a wind & ice storm, ended up in the median,
> with
> > a
> > tire off the rim.  Had it towed to an all-night truck-stop / repair. Had
> > tire remounted and continued on the journey (after spending the night in
> a
> > hotel).
> > 7. The water pump failed in the early 90's and the local VW dealer had
> the
> > part in stock. (I was 280 miles from home)  Drove it for 5 miles at a
> > time,
> > the dealer was 20 miles away from our campsite, and it took a 1/2 day to
> > have the pump replaced.
> >
> >
> > My adventures from 1987 to 2004 - with my 1.9L motor.  I purchased the
> van
> > with 100k miles on it in 87, and it now has 180k on it.  Now I have a
> much
> > newer 2.1L motor, and looking forward to more adventures.  Runs like a
> top
> > now, best it ever has ran.
> >
> > Jack
> > 84 Westy, Wolfsburg
> > N. Of Detroit.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of
> > Burdett, Jean-Pierre
> > Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 12:50 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Roadside Troubles while on Vacationing
> >
> >
> > OK so assuming that most people on this list keep their Vanaboxes in
> > good shape....So how many of you here have experienced roadside
> > mechanical problems that required some big work or messed up your
> > vacation? How did U handle it? Or are most road trips stress free?
> >
> > The coming season we roll out with our 82 AC bus on long trips to
> > Northern Ontario (Manitoulin Island), New Hampsire & Cabot Trail
> > (separately) and I'm want to mentally prepare myself (and my wife) for
> > any troubles!!
> >
> > My 82 is no clunker, it is in great shape mechanically but U never know
> > until U know. U Know?! Let me kmow :-)
> >
> >
> >
> > JP Burdett | Product Marketing Manager
> > Spotwave Wireless Inc.
> >
> > Tel: 613.591.1662 Ext.297 | Fax: 613.591.8107  | Mobile: 613.294.8942
> > 1 Hines Road. Suite 204 Ottawa ON. CANADA | K2K 3C7
> > jp.burdett@spotwave.com  |  www.spotwave.com
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.16.2/613 - Release Date:
> > 2007.01.01.
> >
> >
>