(Inspired by Miguel's observation that a failed plastic coolant tower is
not a pretty picture, I hereby open this thread to nominations for the
Ugliest Parts to Fail.)

The Top 10 will be selected by popular vote or maybe fiat -- not the car
maker -- and posted to the wiki along with invitation for the smart guys
to propose workarounds.

The guidelines are:

1. Nominated parts shall be limited to 1.9 or 2.1 Vanagons only, those
being the most common vehicles. A Top 10 for Westies and other variations*
may be submitted later if this turns out to be a popular thing.

2. The part has to be essential to the operation of the van. Like, you
can't go anywhere without it.

3. It must be a part that is no longer available new, really hard to find
used, and there's nothing on the planet even remotely resembling it.

4. Just being hard to replace does not alone qualify a part. Even though
it took you, and your neighbor, a week to take the van apart to replace
it, does not count if it's an easy to find part.

I'll open the list with Miguel's suggestion:

PLASTIC COOLANT TOWER

===========
* Top 10 List for Ugly Parts to Fail on Diesels, Westies, and other
variations is an obvious followup. Other Top 10 lists can be created, too.
Such as Top 10 Essential Upgrades (suggestion courtesy Miguel), Top 10
Ugliest Parts to Replace (suggestion Buese), Top 10 Ugliest List Members
(the droolers, the ones with old-timey mustaches, the wall-eyed, etc.)
(suggestion me -- I know who I'm nominating first).

I'm gonna be gone for the weekend until Sunday midday, Pacific time. You
kids play nice and don't get all weird and hijack the thread or over think
it while I'm gone.

Oh -- and don't forget, it's that time of the year again to start
submitting your photos for the 2010 Women of the Vanagon calendar!

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
Bend, OR
KG6RCR