Nice outcome David.

"All's well that ends well."

Jake

On Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 6:57 AM, David Boan <dboan@comcast.net> wrote:

> Thank you for all the suggestions on my alternator problem, it was all very
> helpful.
>
>
>
> The rest of the story..
>
>
>
> The next morning the van started fine and the battery light was out, but as
> soon as it warmed up the battery and OXS lights were back on (Does anyone
> know why they go on and off together?)
>
>
>
> On a suggestion from list serve member Andrew I contacted Cram Foreign
> Auto.
> This was a parts place, and he referred me to Euro West in Omaha.  Euro
> West
> got me right in.  They tested the system and said the alternator was not
> charging.  They got a Bosch alternator from Cram, and replaced the
> alternator for $200, parts and labor.  The old alternator was more than ten
> years old.
>
>
>
> Then it got interesting.  I left Euro West, got less than two blocks and
> the
> battery light was back on plus the steering got very stiff.  I knew at
> least
> one belt had broken, so made a U turn and pulled back into Euro West.  In
> that short time the engine was already very hot.  The power steering belt
> was shredded it and the alt belt was off.  Looking closer, the PS pump was
> loose and missing a bolt.  The A/C compressor was also loose.  Euro West
> did
> not touch either of these, but I had both worked on before I left.  The PS
> system was flushed and an A/C line patched and the system charged.  I also
> asked my mechanic to check over everything before a long trip.  I suspect
> that both the PS pump and A/C had been this way for awhile, and when the
> new
> alternator was added, and tightened, it pulled the other units out of their
> tenuous balance.
>
>
>
> Euro West tightened everything, replaced 3 belts, $64.
>
>
>
> Made it back without further events.
>
>
>
> Trip Summary:  Chicago to Oregon and back by way of Boise.  Averaged 19.5
> mpg with A/C off.  Kept engine between 2200 and 3800 rpm entire trip (3800
> =
> 66 mph on flat).  My original engine with 215,000 burned a qt of 15-50
> every
> 800 miles. At home I get about  1200 miles to a qt.  I see a Suburu engine
> in my future.
>
>
>
> Thanks again to all the kind people who offered help.
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

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