I agree Scott - the VW plastic has a short half-life!  =)

On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 8:03 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> well, rubber does have a lifespan.
> I also much say the hoses used on vanagons are just excellent. I know of
> MANY original main coolant pipe hoses, for example, that are 20+ years old,
> and look fine.
>
> btw......the hoses that wear the most are the ones that get the hottest -
> usually ones on top of the engine.
>
> now what about the plastic bits ?
> 2.1 engines have noticeably more plastic on them that 1.9 waterboxers......
> plastic thermostat housing ( 2WD not syncro ) and .......for example
> ............hat distribution tower hidden behind the firewall on the right
> side -
> now you talk about a part that can screw you in the middle of nowhere.
> There
> are 5 connections on the thing .....and there's more than one version.
> you 'could' substitute for it in Mexico to get home if you just had too,
> but
> just looking at the thing .......it's hard to tell what does what .
>
> those things just disintegrate. They last amazingly well actually
> .......but
> they do like to just fail.
> and plastic coolant bottles, let's not forget those, and the aftermarket
> ones don't last that well sometimes.
>
> at least with rubber, you expect it to have a lifespan.
> plastic does too, but it's not so commonly recognized.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Stevens" <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 7:04 PM
> Subject: Re: Rubber...Our best friend...Our worst enemy
>
>
>  I don't agree with any of this rationale. I think irresponsible/poor/lazy
>> maintenance practices is the culprit.
>> Pilot error. Review each of the examples you listed and if they are each
>> maintained at reasonable intervals,
>> there are no failures, let alone catastrophic failures.
>>
>> bob
>>
>> On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 7:53 PM, Richard Koerner
>> <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>>
>>  Volks,
>>>
>>> I am the original poster on yesterday's thread..."Audible" Idiot Lights.
>>> Still plenty of room for discussions and solutions there.
>>>
>>> But, I've been thinking.  What is the main cause of Vanagon catastrophic
>>> failures?  Rubber.
>>>
>>> Your alternator/water pump belt is rubber...it snaps, you may be toast.
>>> Your coolant lines are mostly rubber...if they rupture...you're in for
>>> it.
>>> Your fuel injection hoses are all rubber...well, we know what that means.
>>> And tires....they blow out, yes they do!  All rubber.  Anyone want to
>>> talk
>>> about gaskets?...more rubber.  Vacuum hoses in the engine compartment?:
>>> rubber, and they can cause infinite frustration and poor performance if
>>> leaky, along with that rubber thing to the air filter.  Power steering
>>> and
>>> suspension and wiper blades and shock absorbers...more rubber things to
>>> fail.
>>>
>>> Now, rubber is an excellent engineering material...solves SO many issues.
>>> But, at a price...lifetime.  The stuff just doesn't last forever.
>>>
>>> The logical solution:  replace.  And replace sooner than you think you
>>> might need to.  Nothing like a roadside breakdown in the middle of
>>> nowhere
>>> to make you wish you had replaced "that" rubber component.  So easy in
>>> the
>>> garage with access to Van Cafe, Vanagain, BusDepot, GoWesty, FLAPS...and
>>> so
>>> on (not meaning to exclude anybody here).  So EXPENSIVE and trip-ruining
>>> to
>>> do it on the road.  Not to mention major damage to your engine, your
>>> vehicle, or even your body!
>>>
>>> So...I've personally had:  leaking fuel injector hoses, broken belts,
>>> rear
>>> tire blowout...next on the list is rubber coolant hoses; still have MOST
>>> of
>>> the original there (mechanics have noticed some swollen coolant hoses
>>> which
>>> were immediately replaced).  And head gaskets....ugh...time for a new
>>> peppy
>>> engine when that one hits.
>>>
>>> I know I'm "preaching to the choir" on this one.....but still.  Rubber is
>>> going to be the downfall of these marvelous Vanagon machines.
>>>
>>> Rich
>>> 85 Vanagon Homemade Camper Conversion with 180,000 wonderful miles
>>> San Diego
>>>
>>>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27