On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 7:52 PM, Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@yahoo.ca
> wrote:

> If you look at the German sales listings you often see:
>
> "Der Bus ist l�ckenlos Scheckheft gepflegt"
>

The os x translate widget rendered that thusly:

"The bus is continuously check book maintained"

mike

>
> Which means that the seller is going to hand over a complete maintenence
> log book with every VW recommended procedure performed at the right milage.
> It is hard to sell a bus or any vehicle without a log book.
>
> How many buyers look for that in North America? The wife's Toyota was
> bought from a small used car dealer who bought it on an auction. No idea
> what the previous owner did. Even brand name dealers we visited wouldn't
> provide maintenance records.
>
> Yet, the best "spare part" to carry might be the log book, and make sure
> all specified maintenance is done, note any oddities in handling, noise or
> whatever during driving so they get fixed before the next big trip and
> aren't forgotten until the bus stops.
>
> My dad has a background in aerospace. In the 20 years I lived at home we
> had exactly one mechanical issue on the road (leaking rear brake line). I
> guess in aviation you get it imprinted to do the maintenance *before*
> takeoff.
>
> I'm not nearly as vigilant, but I did redo almost everything mechanical on
> my '82 Westy in 1999. After that it ran flawlessly for a decade. Now it is
> time for work again. (If someone did statistics on the list they might find
> a bump in my posting frequency 10 years ago and another one now...)
>
> Martin (and '82 Westy "Poppie")
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 7:42:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Minimum spares kit. Was: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty
>            Darn Quick
>
> Too tedious of a topic to cover fully. What all to carry largely depends
> on how the vehicle is going to be used and then how capable the owner is
> of determining what is wrong and fixing it with parts on-board. I carry
> stuff that most people don't and I wouldn't expect very many others to
> follow my lead. It is not that I worry so much about actually needing
> them as that I realize I could be greatly delayed in obtaining them if
> they were needed while I was in a remote spot. Most of them cost so
> little if purchased in advance that I just consider it a low cost
> insurance policy to have them along. Since I do all my own work anyway
> and have a lifetime commitment to multiple Vanagon ownership they will
> get used someday.
>
> While decent maintenance is requirement number one, I think most
> Vanagons should carry a few specific items that are well known common
> and/or abrupt failure points. I think all regular Vanagon drivers should
> know how to install them too.
>
> headlight switch
> ignition switch
> regulator/brush assembly for alternator
> belt for water pump/alternator
> fuel filter
> ECU, tested
>
> Also should have for traveling:
> volt meter
> 6 feet of #12 red wire
> 6 feet of #12 black wire
> 4 each of crimp on insulated ends, blue color, 1/4" male spade, 1/4"
> female spade, 5/16" ring, butt splices
> inline ATC fuse holder and 15 amp fuses
>
> The list has no real end but this is a start. Tools are needed for most
> of the parts to be of much use.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
> > so, mark, what is your list of the must, or at least really should carry
> items?  ......................
>
>