The belt is changed and adjusted by loosening and moving the alternator.
That hose is the crankcase breather. Yes it is important. When split,
allows un metered air into the engine making it run like crap and can
allow oil laden blow by to get all over the engine which can also create a
fire hazard.

Why change the thermostat if it is working? This is not a regular
maintenance task except after an over heating event or you suspect
corrosion failure or you are having temperature control problems.

Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David M
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 7:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Few maintenance questions

I looked under my engine cover today (first time in
about a year) just to see what is involved in changing
the thermostat. I noticed a couple of other things.
There is a short rubber tube, thicker at one end than
the other, that is split. It goes from the cylindrical
thing (?) to the left of the alternator and connects
to a curved tube that comes out of the left side of
the air cleaner. What is it and is it important? The
other thing is the water pump belt looks kind of old.
How is it changed? It looks like it's easy to remove
the pulley to get the belt off but that wont allow me
to adjust the new belt. Thanks.

1987 Wolfsburg, 2.1 automatic.

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