Hi I have just joined the Vanagon religion with a 1990 vanagon Carat.
Steep learing curve if I should not post this here please let me know.

In getting my Vanagon registered I had to pass smog (for the last time next
year over 25).  I ended up getting a waver as it did not pass.

The mechanic that did the work charged an hour labor and replaced the
Throttle body (claimed it read open when he checked it).   Another mechanic
friend of mine thinks this smells a bit (inflating bill and possibly not
even changing the part as it usually just needs a cleaning).

Actually the second test at the smog place was worse than the first
(hydrocarbons allowable 400,  first time 434 second time 535).
Instrestingly the total bill was exactly what I would need to get a
waiver......

So what do you folks think?

While I hope to reach the smartness of the rest of you folks and do most of
my work on my own I know I will need some help as I get up to speed, I dont
mind paying for quality work but not much for getting ripped off.

As the last honest mechanic told me (he actually let me work next to him, I
learned a lot!)  "there are already enough broke cars why make stuff up?
bad karma"

Thank you for your time sure looks like an active group.

Art
Seattle
1990 vanagon carat burgundy weekender.

--
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not
expect to sit.  ~Nelson Henderson

"You don't pay back, you pay forward."  Robert A. Heinlein