drc11 wrote:
>
> Before launching on a 3.000 mile vacation in our Westie we had a tune-up at
> our local shop where we'd been customers for 10 years.

Madeline,

This matter is not incompetence or even fraud - it's a criminal act !
I am still convinced that a major portion off the Vanagon "poor
reliability - high cost of repairs" reputation is due to Jackasses
claiming to be Vanagon specialists or in your case, thieves who ought to
be in a cell !

Its bad enough to cheat someone but leaving serious mechanical
shortcomings in a vehicle could endanger the health & safety of the
occupants. You only need the "wrong" situation to be present when you
lose the power steering or the engine stops to create a real disaster.

Do your own maintenance AND swear out a warrant for the individuals who
could have put you in harm's way !

Regards,     JP