Ken,
I just have to put my 2 cents in.  Here is a guy (Joe), who drives &
works on Vanagons calling a Fiat junk.  Does anyone else see the humor
in this?

Once you get that Fiat dialed in, it will be 10 times more reliable than
a Vanagon.

Walt Spak, who just purchased his 19th Vanagon.

"Joe" wrote:

> Ken,
>    Am I reading this right?   IS it you who bought the X19?  Please
> tell me, who is joking with the list here.... its got to  be a joke....
>                           I've worked on several of these years
> ago........
> Your best bet.  Just like the guy who owned one of these did years ago,
> after spending several thousand dollars on parts alone.... (and this is
> when they were  still making them)   Take a very large hammer
> and beat the living day lights out of every piece of the thing.
> DOn't miss a single part.  When your done, it will look just
> as it should.  Like junk.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Snip - Ken wrote
>
>> My Story:
>>
>> I had a frustrating time not too long ago.  I just bought a Fiat X1/9
>> and I am trying to get it back on the road.  It won't start so I am
>> going through the troubleshooting proceedure but I wanted a little
>> insight from someone who has been in the business and knows these cars.
>> I called one of only about four vendors for Fiat parts in the US who
>> just happens to be located not far from me.  While he was a nice guy and
>> knew about the parts he was selling, he had no knowledge of the
>> mechanical side of the car at all.  So I called for advice and I got:
>> replace this part, replace that part and see what happens but I really
>> don't know because I am just selling parts and not a mechanic.  To me
>> this is worthless.  Anyone can sell a car part and there are hundreds of
>> on-line websites where you can type in some numbers or do a search and
>> find the parts you need a few dollars or cents cheaper than what we sell
>> it for and sometimes with free shipping.  But what if you really don't
>> need that part?  What if you don't need any parts, you just need to
>> repair a ground connection or change a filter?  How is it cheaper to buy
>> parts you don't need from someone who could care less about you, than it
>> is to email or call someone who does care about your situation and is
>> waiting to help you?  It isn't.  I wish folks would learn this lesson
>> some day.  Then all of the emanon on-line parts stores out there would
>> dry up and blow away and all of the dedicated Vendors who specialize in
>> that particular vehicle would have the funds they need to keep their
>> shops open.  It is up to you folks.  You vote for what style of place
>> you want to dominate the market every time you shop for parts.  I am
>> just a guy wanting to serve you.  The choice is yours.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Ken Wilford
>> www.vanagain.com
>> John 3:16
>> 856-327-4936
>>
>>
>> Tom Myers wrote:
>>
>>> Record temps in Upstate New York today!
>>>
>>> And i need to attempt to resurrect my Westy A/C this summer.  I had 2
>>> near
>>> accidents last summer from dozing off at the wheel of a 90 degree van.
>>> The
>>> system has been empty for 2 years and I hope it is rescuable. So aside
>>> from
>>> a new dryer and an small R-134 conversion kit from Bus Depot -  i am
>>> wondering where to start.  I am thinking there is a logic to taking
>>> the van
>>> to a AC shop and just have them attempt to charge it up with alot of
>>> leak
>>> detector and r134 hose seal oil and just to see how bad the system is.
>>> From
>>> there make a determination what would be involved.  has anyone had any
>>> experience bring back the A/C?  i do not mind the idea of doing
>>> multiple
>>> rounds with a AC shop if i know what to tell them to do first.  I am
>>> looking
>>> at the archives regarding condenser retrofits right now.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the time
>>>
>>> Tom Myers
>>> Hot Rochester NY
>>> http://motsvan.blogspot.com
>>>
>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>> Get a preview of Live Earth, the hottest event this summer - only on
>>> MSN
>>> http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthhm
>>>
>>
>>
>
>