I'm flyinf out to the MI show this weekend.  Come by my booth if you are
going to the show.  I'll be there selling VW service coveralls.

rex

----------
> From: Ken Hooper <bighouse@bigkitty.azaccess.com>
> To: type2@type2.com; vanagon@vanagon.com; VINTAGVW@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU
> Subject: Asbestos in VWs -- VWOA Denies it's a Covert Recall
> Date: Tuesday, July 22, 1997 11:12 PM
>
>
> For those of you who haven't been following this, I've been trying for
> quite a while to get VW to issue a definitive written policy on
replacement
> of heating system components in '72-and-up aircooled Transporters.
>
> In June, I specifically asked for a statement detailing what VW would
> replace, under what circumstances, in which countries. Ten days later,
> having received a "we'll get back to you" email from Marilyn Kenyon of
> VWOA, I reiterated that what I was looking for was a specific policy on
> what, why and where.
>
> Following is what VWOA considers a "definitive" response (their word).
It's
> not an unofficial recall, which is what I called it; it's not a parts
> exchange, which is what one listee was told; it's a scientific sampling.
>
> It isn't clear whether they're going to continue to replace the heater
> systems; if they've concluded there's no health hazard there's no reason
to
> keep on replacing them--but it doesn't say they won't, either. No word on
> whether this "investigation" applies to non-US markets. That is, they
> answered none of my questions, they merely distanced themselves from the
> dreaded r-word.
>
> At one time I had some reservations about whether VW ought to be held
> responsible for components that are so old. But the way Ms. Kenyon tells
> it, if VW replaces your heating system, you're doing VWOA a favor. Ain't
> science wonderful?
>
> Somebody post Le Coz's phone number again.
>
>
> >Date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 16:43 -0400 (EDT)
> >From: "Kenyon, Marilyn Ann" <Marilyn.Kenyon@vw.com>
> >Subject: Follow-Up
> >To: Ken Hooper <bighouse@type2.com>
> >MIME-version: 1.0
> >Posting-date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 16:43 -0400 (EDT)
> >Priority: normal
> >
> >
> >Dear Mr. Hooper:
> >
> >This is in further response to your E-mail of June 12 to our Web site
and
> >follows up on our interim reply of July 1.
> >
> >You have advised us that you are aware of  "an unofficial recall
> >concerning asbestos gaskets used in the heating systems of post-71
> >air-cooled Volkswagen automobiles."  You appear to base your conclusion
> >upon information from several owners of Volkswagen vans who have
asserted
> >they are the beneficiaries of certain repairs paid by Volkswagen.
> >
> >In fact, Volkswagen has not conducted any recall concerning asbestos
> >gaskets in heater systems of Volkswagen automobiles and has no plans to
> >do so.  Your misimpression may have been based upon the removal and
> >replacement by Volkswagen of America representatives of certain heater
> >system components in a small sample of older Volkswagen vans although
the
> >vehicles were far out of warranty.  Volkswagen removed these components
> >from customer-owned vehicles, and naturally installed replacements,
> >because its engineers were interested in confirming whether or not
heater
> >system components used in 1972 through 1982 Volkswagen vans equipped
with
> >air-cooled engines posed a health hazard after 15 or more years of use,
> >as some persons have suggested.  The investigation performed to date by
> >these engineers confirms that the heater systems in these Volkswagen
vans
> >do not pose a health hazard.
> >
> >Some owners have also expressed concern about the supply of replacement
> >heater parts for these vans.  Because of the age of the vehicles in
> >question, Volkswagen's stock of replacement heater components has
> >unfortunately been completely exhausted.  However, we know that heat
> >exchangers are available as replacement parts from a number of
> >aftermarket suppliers.  We suggest that any owner of a 1972 through 1982
> >model Volkswagen van who requires a new part we can no longer supply,
and
> >in particular a new heat exchanger, ask his repair facility to contact
> >one of these suppliers.
> >
> >Please let us know whether you require any additional information.  If
> >you believe it to be helpful, we would be pleased to meet with you at a
> >place and time convenient to you for the purpose of further review of
> >your concerns.
> >
> >Sincerely yours,
> >
> >
> >Marilyn Kenyon
> >Team Leader
> >Customer Relations
>
>
> --Ken
>            68 Westy, Admin -- type2 -- The VW Bus Mailing List
>
>