Pretty funny... as long it's happening to someone else.

Good luck with the other van.

mike

On 1/19/08 10:08 AM, "David Clarkson" <Dvdclarksn@AOL.COM> wrote:

> Okay, I'm not here to talk you out of a vanagon diesel; only to speak from
> experience. Let's start with the facts. 67 BHP off the showroom floor. Top
> speed  from my 82 diesel Westfalia (or Westfailure as my better half referred
> to
> it)  was 67 mph. I rebuilt a Quantum engine and the turbo and the injector
> pump
>  for transplantation to cure this. Take that Vanagon! Transplant  rejected.
> Lesson learned: buying your grandmother a pair of running shoes  does not mean
> that she will then be able to run a 4 minute mile. Am I  a  bit jaded? Maybe.
> Do I miss my diesel Westy? Yes. Do I love my wife for bringing  home a 90
> Westy and saying, "I'll buy this for you if you'll sell that damned  diesel."?
> Yes. She is the glue that bonds me to reality. I had a bumper sticker  on my
> 82
> diesel Westy that said, "0-50 in 11 minutes". That was of course a  joke. It
> would only reach that speed in 11 minutes downhill with a tail wind.  What are
> the upsides of owning a diesel vanagon? I averaged 28 MPG. I got to  pull up
> and fuel up alongside the Big Rigs. That's a big 10-4 good buddy! I had  the
> option to run on bio diesel and have everyone following in my fume trail
> reminisce about their last visit to a fast McFood establishment. I learned how
> to
> sniff out diesel refueling points anywhere on the planet. Diesel may become
> the
> way for us all if we decide to divorce OPEC. We can make it out of bamboo,
> switchgrass and other sources that are readily apparent to the open minded
> fuel
>  consumer. It is the original flex-fuel. Yes, used french fry oil will burn
> in  your diesel but you'll need to strain the burned fries out so they don't
> clog  your injectors and heat it to a non-gelling temperature so it flows
> freely
>  through the fuel system. I've done the homework here and eventually sold my
> 82  diesel Westy to an open minded Hippy Chick (the old Deadhead uses that
> term with  great affection here BTW) who vowed to give it life eternal on bio
> diesel. My 82  diesel and I had many wonderful times together. Some spent on
> the
> side of the  road waiting for a wrecker. What kept me motivated and spending
> the megabucks on  it were the stories of other VW diesel enthusiasts that said
> once you get them  running properly they'll go for 300,000-400, 000 miles. I
> don't doubt that. Mine  was just a lemon and I couldn't make lemonade despite
> my best intentions. I  really tried! I threw money at it from all directions
> and still maintain a  200-300 page file documenting my efforts and intentions.
> My  mechanic told me in so many words by referring to it as the space
> shuttle-"You can spend 500 million dollars on it and it still won't  get off
> the
> ground!". His kid's can afford to go to college now thanks to my  generous
> financial endowment. Buy what you like. Follow your bliss and  fare thee well.
> I hope
> you get a real gem. Just know going into the journey  what to expect. If a
> Vanagon diesel is in your future you should  not be in a rush to get anywhere
> quickly. You need to be patient and  understanding that 67 horses don't move
> 3850
> lbs. anywhere to quickly.  Probably the worst hp./weight ratio of any vehicle
> on the planet.  There is a certain charm and mystique to these contraptions
> though. Enough said.  I now don my flameproof underwear and await your
> responses listees.  As  always YMMV and this post is all in good humor with no
> intent
> to offend anyone  that is going to prove to be oversensitive about their dear
> vehicle. I am the  foremost expert on my opinion. I'm talking about my
> experience with my vehicle  not your kids,your wife,your mother or your dog.
> Let's
> keep it fun,  informative and real. I love this list.
>
> In Vanagon We trust,
>
> David Clarkson
> 90 Westy (246k) and former owner of an 82 Westy (AKA the "dearly  departed")
>
>
>
> **************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489