you just gotta know where they are Jim.
I know of at least one shop that knows vanagons forward and backwards, and
is highly committed to rock solid results at a very fair price.
Me, naturally.   My clients come from all over, not just locally.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
Southern Oregon.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Cochran" <mxsailor@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: Santa Rosa area mechanic and smog shop

> Phil,
> I was replacing engines in my Westy because it kept burning holes in
> the head around the  spark plug. On a lark, I called JR on the phone
> and he told me it was a bad ground strap. He was right. No more head
> replacements.
>
> I, for one, do ALL my own work in Mexico because nobody here knows a
> thing about waterboxers.
> I've had Jocko up Ft Bragg do all my air-cooled buses because he knows
> them well.
>
> Nobody takes care of their Westies like the owners, though.
>
> Jim
>
> On Oct 31, 2008, at 3:20 PM, Phil.C wrote:
>
>> I have always heard that JR is a very good bet,and his shop is
>> always packed, but I guess I've been reluctant over the notion of
>> vanagon quirkiness. Yes, every vehicle has idiosyncrasies, but
>> vanagons are relatively scarce. Well, maybe not so scarce in this
>> region. Anyway, it was me, not the local mechanic, who finally found
>> the cracked solder joint in the ECU after 4.5 years of occasional
>> issues.
>>
>> FYI, John Nicols at the Unocal in town is a very reliable mechanic,
>> and I have always trusted him with my company rig and others. He's
>> good, but I still harbor this crazy notion of a vanagon mechanic.
>> Maybe I'm just a cheapskate, hoping for the perfect, most methodical
>> diagnosis that will result in the smallest bill. I guess that's one
>> reason we do it ourselves.
>>
>> Thanks for the input Jim. -Phil
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42 AM, Jim Cochran <mxsailor@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> Take it to Junior.
>> I know he's expensive, but he really know his stuff.
>>
>> On Oct 31, 2008, at 10:19 AM, Phil.C wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks Jim. I'm up in Gualala, which is also 2 hours from Ukiah. -
>>> Phil
>>>
>>> On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:05 AM, Jim Cochran <mxsailor@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> Try the Harmony Garage in Cotati.
>>> Where do you live?
>>>
>>> Jim C
>>> 86 Westy "Vanilla"
>>> 71 Van
>>> San Carlos, Mexico
>>>
>>>
>>> On Oct 31, 2008, at 9:52 AM, Phil wrote:
>>>
>>> Vanagonians, I'm looking for mechanic recommendations in the Santa
>>> Rosa, CA
>>> area for my 87 westy. I have reviewed the list on RoadHaus and
>>> found only 1,
>>> with 1 review in 2006 -- a positive one for MB German. While 1 good
>>> shop is
>>> enough, I was just hoping to hear some confirmation or other recs.
>>>
>>> I do my own maintenance and light wrenching, and the van has been
>>> reliable
>>> and trouble-free in return, but it has a smog test in its future
>>> and I would
>>> like to have a more experienced expert at hand in the event of a no-
>>> pass.
>>>
>>> Speaking of emissions testing, I would also welcome any preferences
>>> for smog
>>> test shops in the Santa Rosa area. I'm 2 hours away on the coast,
>>> so my van
>>> has been exempt from testing over my 7 years of ownership. Thanks
>>> very much.
>>> -Phil
>>>
>>>
>>
>>