Turns out they did not miss me after all, or else they came back after hocking my neighbor's Honda Pilot cat.� I had isolated my exhaust leak to the collector where the front crossover pipe joins it.� Began the task of removing the old system today so I can install the new one so I can pass inspection so I can finally go camping this year.� Roof is almost done (if it will just not rain until Monday), so I thought I'd squeeze in a little van work late in the day.� Yay!�  

Of course, in true Vanagon fashion I had to begin by first removing everything in the way of removing the old system and while under the van spraying PB Blaster and scoping out the various bits in the way of the bolts holding the system on I noticed a nice clean cut in the J-pipe near its junction with the cat.� Guess the complexity of the Vanagon system scared them off as it is doing to me.� Glad I planned to replace this pipe or I'd be really pissed.

Is it just me or does it really look like I should remove the oil filter in order to reach the nuts holding the flange of the left rear head pipe near the water pump?� Nearly everything on this van has something else in its way.

Stephen