ooooh!

Old stuff that has never been changed or is questionable - especially
safety items like brake MC's and fuel lines - need to be changed just as
a matter of course. To risky to do otherwise.

Observe that airplanes and helicopters have such built into their
maintenance schedules. So much time or so many operating hours - and the
part gets changed. A bit more critical in an airplane, where you cannot
park on a cloud in an emergency - but the principle applies to the
Vanagons. Avoid smashed  and burned vans like the plague - change
questionable parts. The life you save may be your own.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

William Greenamyer wrote:
> I have an update from the mechanic.  There was no brakes on the van this
> morning when it was moved into the bay and put on the rack.  No leaks could
> be found anywhere.  The bled the system some and the brakes worked normally.
>  His guess is that there is water in the brake fluid and the water boiled
> (it was a hot day which didn't help) and thus lost the ability to work
> properly.  They are going to do some more testing but for right now, the
> brake fluid is going to be replaced.  It is my guess that the master is
> still the original one.  It has never been changed since obtaining the van
> and that was years ago.  The van is a 1984GL with a manual trans.  Still
> getting 20MPG and can accelerate up a 6 degree grade from 40 to 70 mph in
> 4th gear.  I have received some ideas (thanks) on what could have been the
> problem and welcome any additional ideas/inputs.
>
> William
>
>
>