There are a couple places I suggest in Vancouver. If you're on the
North Shore, try John at Van Wonder:
Van Wonder Auto Service Inc
119 3rd St W, North Vancouver, BC
(604) 985-7211

The other big place is Rudy and Peter Motors:
Rudy & Peter Motors Ltd
225 E 2nd Ave, Vancouver, BC
(604) 879-0491

Most of the stuff sounds very minor, as in easy to fix. But not things
to be ignored. The fuel line stuff in particular sounds super-dodgy!

T.

On 2009-11-03, at 8:37 PM, Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA> wrote:

> Well Curses!!! We have these words for a reason, no?
>
>
>
> Yesterday, I picked up my beautiful 1982 Volkswagen. I had paid for
> it on
> Oct. 21 and turned it over to a highly recommended garage in
> Puyallup for a
> full inspection and repair of whatever needed fixing while I went
> with a
> friend to Wenatchee area for 10 days. They replaced the muffler and
> catalytic converter and a few light bulbs and pronounced her ready
> to roll.
> Took all day yesterday to drive it up to Vancouver and go through
> exporting
> it from the US and into CAN. I named her 'Otter' and was looking
> forward to
> eventual camping fun and maybe a Vanagon get-together.
>
>
>
> Today I went for the final step - Prov. of BC inspection prior to
> registering and insuring her. To my great surprise, she failed
> (!!!!) and
> (Gulp). Here's what needs fixing:
>
> 1.      Turn signals and 4-way flashers are blinking too quickly.
> Wiring
> issue. A few hours work.
> 2.      Left rear bumper missing corner. Allowing sharp edges to
> catch.
> 3.      Fuel lines leaking fuel. Siliconed and held by electrical tape
> 4.      Fuel filter not secured
> 5.      Multiple stretches of loose wiring. Must be resecured.
> 6.      Front wheel bearings have too much end play. Must be replaced.
> 7.      Sway bar bushings are cracked - all 4.
> 8.      Upper and lower ball joints all have split boots.
>
> I wasn't at a VW garage since, of course, this inspection was only
> going to
> be a formality. They estimated that the repairs needed would cost
> about
> $3000. They referred me to Justin at Capilano VW for a more informed
> opinion. I scanned the insp. report and sent it to him. Will
> hopefully find
> out tomorrow, but not in love with the idea of paying dealer prices
> for
> service.
>
>
>
> So, I thought I would send this info to the Vanagon list for your
> informed
> opinions.
>
>
>
> I feel sick. Can't afford to put thousands more into this vehicle.
> It's my
> own stupid fault for sure, but I had expected to hear this kind of
> thing
> from the Puyallup garage before I ever left the US. Now the van has
> turned
> into a pumpkin. No longer registered in WA or BC. Must be taken off
> the
> streets or it will be impounded. (Gotta find a spot!) Meanwhile
> trying to
> get enough facts to decide what to do.
>
>
>
> Also, must try to find out if I have any recourse from the seller or
> from
> Ebay. I know that used car sales are always asis, whereis, but this is
> selling an unsafe vehicle, which I think may be different. To think
> that I
> drove that sucker from Puyallup to Vancouver with leaky fuel lines,
> bad
> wheel bearings, cracked sway bar bushings and split ball joints.
>
>
>
> Any and all thoughts, ideas, interesting curses, etc would be welcome.
>
> Thank you and Grrrr,
>
> Pat