Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2001 09:39:44 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing coolant
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I have found that over time I have gotten to the point I am not physically able
to do some of my van maintenance, and often I don't have the tools for a
specific job. To solve the problem, I have tried to educate myself as well as
possible about the van, it's systems, etc, to the point that I can properly
oversee the work of a hired mechanic. More often than not, even a good,
concientious mechanic, will not know enough about a Vanagon to be worth dung
when it comes to working and servicing one. But they do well if you can provide
them the right guidence. Let them be the instruments through which you do the
work. I know it costs more this way, but it's better than no maintenance/repair
at all, or simply leaving it with someone that knows nothing.
John Rodgers,
88 GL Driver
developtrust wrote:
> Dear Malcolm, Matthew and others,
>
> My goodness we are "protective" of our Vanagons. Remember, everyone I am
> still a newcomer to self-care of these vanagons. I try to strike a balance
> between doing it myself and getting a pro to do it while I learn how to.
>
> To me replacing coolant seems like an awesome task and it seems
> intimidating.
>
> Some say everything in life is a matter of balance. I can certainly afford
> to hire it all out but I love to learn to be self sufficient. Even though I
> am lucky to have a local great mechanic at hand I really do not trust others
> that much to do what "they say" they can do. I often know more than the
> people I hire (especially the younger hungry ones.)
>
> Soon I will be as competent as the rest of you who are used to doing it all
> yourself. Thanks to a few local Vanagon friends (and some not so local via
> this list) I am learning quickly. One of my hopes is to learn to remove and
> replace a whole engine as I know I will one day have to do this.
>
> Be patient with my naive questions you all. Remember you too were once at
> the beginning of your learning curve as I am now.
>
> By the way, thanks to Terry Kay in Chicago, I am installing my own Air Lift
> suspension balloons in my rear springs as soon as they arrive. I have even
> set up a wholesale account using my resale number so I can provide anyone
> with a discounted set if you also decide to install them. (Why a wholesale
> account you might ask? Well, I got so frustrated with retail dealers that I
> called the company directly to get products I wanted. So I decided to set up
> an account as a dealer so I can mail order the product to any Vanagon owner
> who wants this improvement.)
>
> And thanks to others on this list I am wrapping my exhaust pipes this week
> with exhaust wrap as soon as I get the clamps and Silicone coating they
> recommend.
>
> Loving learning with you all,
> William P.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Malcolm Stebbins" <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 10:37 AM
> Subject: Re: Replacing coolant
>
> > William: For many of us the van is a HOBBY and I'd no
> > more hire out its care than I'd send my wife to a gigolo for
> > "servicing". Yes the gigolo has the proper "tools" and
> > guarantees his work and doesn't cost much more, but
> > this is a life-style issue. Malcolm
> >
> > On 17 Dec 2001, at 22:40, developtrust wrote:
> >
> > > As a newcomer to this list I ache a question for those more
> > > experienced. If replacing coolant is such a problem why do
> > > people attempt to do it themselves rather than go to a VW
> > > dealer where work is guaranteed and they have the proper
> > > tools. Does it really cost that much at the dealer?
> > >
> > > William Polowniak
> > > Vanagon site
> > > http://members.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
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