>
>The story . . .
>
>Well, my trusted mechanics shop burned down leaving me with few options for
>mechanics, so I went to the only other place in town that will service
>Vanagons.

Find /cultivate another garage. Buy a Bently and work with the owner to
learn about your vehicle.

>First they want $300 for a part that I purchased from Volks-Motorsports for
>$45.

1st sign of the rip-off.

>Now they say my oil drain plug is stripped (which I knew) and I need to
>replace the engine block ($1100).

Cough,cough..bullsh*t.

>High idle requires a new Idle Stabilizer and a myriad of other parts ($500).

Prolly don't know how to set idle in the first place.

>$100 + parts to replace the rear brake pads.

Not extremely hard to do yourself but then what if you don't have the tools
or space to do the job $100 bucks isn't too bad.

>$150 to take apart the CV joints to check to see if they are OK.

W-What? What symptoms exist? Or is this exploratory surgery to create a
problem? You can by a new half shaft for a little more than this.

>
>The questions . . .
>
>Isn't there a kit or process or something to repair a stripped oil drain
>plug?
>
>Isn't there a way to clean the Idle Stabilizer?
>
>Is $100 + parts reasonable for rear brake replacement?
>
>Do you really need to take apart the CV joint to determine if it is working?
>
>Thanks,
>Stephen Jones
>'87 Westy
>Jackson, WY

RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RUN!!!RU
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Dave & Sherrie
Allentown, PA soon to be VA
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