Date:         Mon, 16 Aug 2004 19:31:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject:      Re: head gaskets, my turn
In-Reply-To:  <41216AE5.8050808@pangea.stanford.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Yup, me again.

I called the shop, intending to leave a message. Halfway into my
'vanagons don't have timing belts' soliloquy, they picked up. Apparently
the desk guy punched in a Eurovan code or something. And yes, they were
quite, quite embarrassed. Like I said, they've done good work before, so
I'll chalk this up as an error, not ignorance or malicious intent.

Joel VanderKwaak wrote:

> Ya know, that was my 1st reaction as well, but I was rushed and didn't
> press it, intending to dig into the Bentley and online resources
> tonight. Consistent with the way my day has gone, I left the manual in
> the van, at the shop.
>
> I'll give them a call in the morning to see what's going on. I've had
> good service there in the past, so it's possible the guy behind the
> counter is confused.
>
> Thanks for the collective 'what the f***'
>
> Jonathan Farrugia wrote:
>
>> the wasserboxer doesn't have a timing belt a diesel or a inline engine
>> conversion would though.  that said i just had a conversation with a
>> dealer service writer and asked him if you had to have a mechanical
>> background to be a service writer.  he said no and that they prefer you
>> don't know about cars so that you don't try to figure out the customers
>> problem at the service desk.  it could be that if you have a wasserboxer
>> that you had one of those types of individuals at the counter.
>>
>> jonathan
>>
>> On Mon, 16 Aug 2004, Joel VanderKwaak wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> Update time :)
>>>
>>> Got in my van this morning, backed out of the garage, and there was a
>>> 'clunk' from the engine, followed by a loud squeal. Guess the water
>>> pump
>>> gave up the ghost, conveniently at home rather than at 75mph on 280.
>>>
>>> As I'm quite pressed for time, I had the van towed to my local shop
>>> (European Auto Works in Mtn View) to get the water pump replaced.
>>> Definitely more expensive than if I did the work myself, but that's
>>> life.
>>>
>>> One question I was asked at the shop is 'has the timing belt ever been
>>> replaced?" As I don't recall a relevant discussion on the list, could
>>> one of the list sages let me know if this is really something to
>>> consider? I'll dig through the archives as well.
>>>
>>> Joel VanderKwaak wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hey again,
>>>>
>>>> Cooler heads than mine suggested I investigate further to eliminate
>>>> hoses and water pump as possible sources. I spent the last few hours
>>>> under the engine, degreasing and cleaning off the Baja dirt and.... it
>>>> looks like the source may be the water pump! Great news, and thanks so
>>>> much for the 'slow down boy, think a little'.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks a ton,
>>>>
>>>> Joel
>>>>
>>>> Joel VanderKwaak wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Howdy,
>>>>>
>>>>> Joy, joy, I found a puddle of coolant under my engine this morning :(
>>>>> The van is a '91 with just over 80K miles. I'm scheduled to take a
>>>>> 4000
>>>>> mile drive to Northern BC beginning Labour Day. I do not have enough
>>>>> free time to tinker myself, so I'll need professional help (as
>>>>> will the
>>>>> van).
>>>>>
>>>>> So, a couple questions:
>>>>> (1) what's a typical SF Bay area cost for an engine coolant leak
>>>>> triage
>>>>> and head gasket replacement
>>>>> (2) if that cost is high, should I bite the bullet and just swap in a
>>>>> rebuilt engine
>>>>>
>>>>> Up until this morning the van ran exceptionally well. I've been
>>>>> putting
>>>>> alot of miles on it since taking a job with a 100+ mile round-trip
>>>>> commute two months ago.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Joel
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>