Oh wow... thanks for the immediate and heartfelt outpouring...what an
incredible community!

Jimmy...the needle was pretty high when the light came on, but the light
didn't stay on, just blinked a few times, and then I pulled over as soon as
I found a gas station. I just filled the res. behind the license plate.

Ryan....no steam came out that I could tell. It does have A/C but it
doesn't work. Got an estimate to fix and decided against it. (A project for
next summer is to remove the whole A/C unit to create more storage space.)
I did not hear the fan go on...it usually does, I will check out that link!
Thanks for including your #. It is so reassuring to know I could call you
for an unbiased opinion!!

Melissa thanks for the link! I did see a shop kinda near. The local
mechanic told me not to drive it AT ALL. I said "even a mile?" He
was skeptical. Hi sshop has a good reputation, but also the reputation as
"the designer shop" in town.

Jeff...loved the cat story! ;-)

Because of the time factor, I've given it to the local mechanic to
diagnose. I trust he is a really good mechanic, and having owned a Westy
himself will know what he's doing, and the culture. However, I feel
quite vulnerable as well. I will keep you all posted.

Love this listserve!!

Karen

On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 12:27 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> road haus has a list of vanagon mechanics, good and bad (with
> recommendations and commentary).  It has helped me.  In fact, it helped me
> find the mechanic I use here at home, and it helped me on the road.
> http://www.roadhaus.com.  the list will be linked.  mcneely
>
> ---- Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 7:04 AM, Karen Doherty
> > <freshwindbrightsky@gmail.com>wrote:
> >
> > > Hi all, I'm new to the list but so happy to find y'all!
> > >
> > > I've had my Westy almost a year. Two days ago, in start/stop traffic
> on the
> > > highway in 80 degree temp, the temp needle rose and eventually the red
> > > light came on.
> > > I took it to the one recommended mechanic in town, who used to own an
> '87
> > > Syncro. He seemed less than excited about working on it, and went on
> about
> > > how difficult they are to work on and that's why he sold his blah blah
> blah
> > > but yeah go ahead and bring it in I'll take a look.
> > >   {snipped}
> > > Any thoughts on this would be most welcome and appreciated! Some have
> > > suggested bubble of air in the system. I have no idea how much this
> repair
> > > should cost.
> > >
> > > Karen
> > >
> >
> >   I would find another mechanic, first off.  It sounds like this fellow,
> he
> > is not a guy you want working on your vanagon.  Someone on here will
> guide
> > you to a more enthusiastic Vanagon-savvy shop, probably.
> >
> >   There are a number of possible causes for dropping coolant level and
> > overheating.  Since you state you aren't mechanical, you should find a
> > mechanic that needs the work and knows something about Vanagons, but you
> > don't need one with an attitude like the one you mention.    .A guy like
> > that, he might just fix it up "Good enough", charge you big bucks and
> send
> > you out the door with a half-a** repair that will blow up something half
> > way to your destination....and if you call him on it, he'll just
> > say..."See, I told you Vanagons suck, that is why I won't work on
> em...blah
> > blah blah.." and you will have an on-going problem with that guy..the
> > reluctant Vanagon Expert who took your money and didn't do a good
> > job...Listen to him when he says he's reluctant and sold his own because
> he
> > didn't like working on them....
> >   Don Hanson
>
> --
> David McNeely
>