My late father (a VW owner himself & former Navy aircraft mechanic)
once told me "A patch job is like stopping the clock to save time".
This doesn't apply to just Vanagons, but to every VW I have owned
since the 60s.  True then, just as true today.

When a crack appeared on my '84 Westy Expansion Tank, I replaced it
and with a dealer supplied tank in '98 when the only place to get it
then was a dealer at their high price of the time.  Still in great
shape today 13 years later.

Just my nickel's worth (inflation y'know)
--�Jim Thompson84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"72 411
Station Wagon "Pug"75 914 1.8 "Nancy"Full Timing Since March
1999oldvolkshome@gmail.comhttp://www.oldvolkshome.comFind me on
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Thompson/100000710343835***********************************On
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 7:12 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> To better put this in perspective $150 represents ~two tanks of fuel. By not
> buying unique parts there is no incentive for anyone to make them available.
>
> This is especially true of OEM parts. Yes the dealer charges more. Sometimes
> way more. But with few exceptions aftermarket parts are less. I find it
> really bothersome to remove 20 year 150,000 mile parts and have the
> replacements fail in 2-3 years and 30,000 miles. Whether it be CV joint
> boots, exhaust parts or even brake pads, shoes, and hoses. The durability or
> performance is often just not there. But if we want the good stuff and the
> unique stuff we need to be willing to pay for it.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Ken Wilford
> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 10:13 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 82 Coolant Tank retrofit help
>
> OK, I can totally understand repairing these old tanks when you could not
> get new ones. �It was a matter of necessity to keep the vans on the road.
> However when new tanks are available I believe it is a big mistake to patch
> 30 year old expansion tanks and not be asking for disaster. �It is false
> economy in my opinion. �If you factor out the value of your time and the
> materials to make the repair you save $150 by not buying a new tank. �I
> understand money is tight, etc. �However you are risking the life of your
> motor which would cost several thousand dollars to repair or replace if this
> tank fails. �It is very cheap insurance in comparison.
>
> I get at least one call a week. �Here is the gist of the call. �My engine is
> toasted. �It happened because some old piece of plastic or rubber in the
> cooling system failed while I was in heavy traffic or going over a bridge
> and I just couldn't stop. �Now how much does it cost to get my van back on
> the road? �Over $3k! �If I had only known that I would have replaced my
> coolant system parts when I had the chance (tears and sobbing).
>
> I am frankly tired of hearing this sad tale of woe over and over. �That is
> one of the reasons that when VW came here the summer before last one of the
> parts on the top of my list for them to reproduce was the 82 Diesel Vanagon
> expansion tank. �I know that these are almost all super old and the plastic
> can only last so long. �It has lasted 30 years!
> That is way longer than it should have. �It is past time to retire it and
> install a new one. �If it was a person it would have retired ten years ago
> with a pension! �It owes you nothing!
>
> Please, do the smart thing and replace these parts before they fail. �I am
> just trying to help you out.
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
> Phone: 856-327-4936
> Fax: 856-327-2242
>
> On 11/18/2011 9:56 PM, Frank Lee wrote:
>> OK so I have the closest part to Yellow Sub's original 82' diesel
>> coolant expansion tank.
>> I've learned I �must improvise a mounting bracket, �hose connections,
>> and a plug.
>>
>> Or patch the hairline crack in the old tank..
>>
>> Can anyone paint me see details on how to do this.
>>
>> Frank
>>
>