You likely know this, Antony, but just in case:  The fan is very loud on high speed.  Before replacing the motor, I would check all points at which there might possibly be an electrical glitch that could cause it to run on high speed only.  Just a thought.

I had a radiator shop replace the radiator on my camper some three years ago.  The tech there said the fan motor was bad, though it had worked perfectly fine before he worked on the van.  It turned out that he had broken the stud to which the positive lead attaches, and it was repairable.  He was unhappy that I considered him the cause of the fan not working.

For me, it always pays to check out all possibilities, especially when a part is so outrageously priced.

mcneely

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> wow. ( re price shock )
> based on the application list ..
>
> Vanagon
>
>   * 1.9 Liter 1983--1985
>   * 2.1 Liter 1986--1991
>   * Diesel 1981--1984
>   * Syncro 1986--1991
>
> I have at least one or two of the 2 speed vans , working, good used.,
> that I would sell.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> On 3/29/2013 10:11 AM, Robert Stevens wrote:
> > On Mar 29, 2013, at 11:05 AM, ANTONY MARSH <apetermarsh@ME.COM> wrote:
> >
> > My mechanical Guru checked with his suppliers and came up with a price of $533 just for a new motor 251 959 455M.
> >
> > This seems expensive to me but then what do I know.
> >
> > Evidence that he knows about that of which he speaks....
> >
> > http://www.busdepot.com/251959455g
> >
> > bob
> >

--
David McNeely