Date:         Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:10:59 +0000
Reply-To:     Trvlr2001@COMCAST.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John C..." <Trvlr2001@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Old age - me and the Vanagon

Nike say;
  Just Do It....

-------------- Original message --------------
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>

> Yup, we both seem to be falling apart. I've had so many moderate level
> maintenance items in the last couple of years that I should probably go
> and trade myself in on a new bod - maybe a little taller, a little more
> of the sports model rather than the sedan that I am now, perhaps a bit
> more hair on top, and maybe - yes - blue-grey eyes, that would do it.
> You know, the kind that can peer right through a lady's soul, right
> into her deepest most private places, make her feel totally vulnerable
> with just a look. Yep - I think that would be about right. 'Course I may
> stay in trouble all the time! LOL.
>
> As for the old Van - well, it's showing it's age as well. It just turned
> 20. Actually it's prol'ly technically a bit older, being built in '87
> for the 1988 model year. The wear and tear is becoming significant
> enough that it's getting to be a lot like me - it's a race with the
> doctors/mechanics to stay ahead of what's gonna fall off next. I just
> looked at the odometer today - 95,000 miles on this locally rebuilt
> engine - back in 2000. A little under 12,000 per year. When I bought it
> it had 86,000 miles on it. At 96,000 the engine blew up. I had the
> engine rebuilt and put a new speedo in at the same time. So the old girl
> has 191,000 on her frame, but she's had three engines. If you want that
> sorry story I will tell it, but only one - and on the list so all can know.
>
> But this third and current engine has performed well. Minimal
> maintenance. Just the routine stuff. But the bigger stuff is now coming
> into play. There is the front/rear seal issue, Alternator was replaced
> last year, power steering rack has been replaced , windshield replaced,
> AC pump, etc. Currently my repair list includes power steering pump high
> pressure hose, new oil seals, fuel tank vent line replacements.
>
> It is something all the time.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL driver