For the brakes you may have overheated them and vaporized what may also be
old and moisture laden fluid. Try bleeding the brakes with fresh DOT 4
fluid. Check the rears for overheating damage and proper adjustment. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Poppie Jagersand
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 5:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Middle of BC trip report, roadside repair update and brake question

Hi All,

After fixing the overheat problems we took off from Edmnton on our BC trip.
On the recommendation of many listmembers we went down rte 23, 6 and 31A
through the Arrow, Slocan and Kootenay� lakes. Very nice trip so far. We
enjoy the small towns and local history. Being near the lakes is nice in the
current heat wave. 

Have not had problems with overheating anymore. Temp gauge goes to 3/4 at
most.

Had an unexpected roadside repair near Revelstroke. When going up the
mountain parkway in Revelstroke national park I heard a bearing scream and
then just half a minute later a clang and alt light went on and temp needle
up. Pulled over and saw water pump belt had jumped off. Turns out the
alternator bearing had completely seized. This is on a just 2 year old Bosch
rebuilt 90A. Maybe 5000km on it tops. Stopped in Lordco parts in Rebvelstoke
and ordered another Bosch rebuilt. Came next morning and now alt is working.
Remarkably water pump seems to have survived the stress so far. Don;t want
to do that repair on the road.. (Pump housing and shaft must have gotten a
stong force when the belt jumped off) \\

Just yesterday I felt brake pedal getting a bit mushy. Does not leak brake
fluid visibly and I don't see the level going down in the reservoir. I'm
guessing maybe master cylinder. Symptoms is that the first brake is mushy,
then it builds pressure and is stiff as usual. Seem to be same symptoms as
with a leak, except didn't notoce fluid loss. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Martin, family and '82 Diesel Westy