Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2019 05:47:37 -0400
Reply-To: Tom Stone <tstone8359@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Stone <tstone8359@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Clean up Fuse Block under dash?...maybe add dielectric grease?
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR04MB0983A109AF2B6A5326C4210AA6F90@CY4PR04MB0983.namprd04.prod.outlook.com>
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Yes, thanks Richard. That is our approach too. Our VW stories, (I have
been at this a while with splits, bays and Vanagons,) invariably contain
breakdown scenarios that are more memorable than the reason for the trip.
Always met nice people who offered help and, more often than not, shared
their own stories. It is not unlike other areas of life where affinity
makes community. The trip starts at the end of the driveway and consists
of whatever happened until you return.
Tom Stone, Granville, OH
On June 30, 2019 22:32:35 Richard Smith <smirby@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> On reliability:
>
>
> I commend everyone who works on reliability, and I think it is something we
> should all be mindful of. Without the "RE" you have a liability. __
>
>
> On the "my wife/husband hates my van because it is unreliable" theme, I
> like to approach that problem from three directions:
>
>
> 1. Manage expectations. I start every (longer) trip with a reminder that we
> could get towed, and that it shouldn't be seen as a disaster. This may
> appease the karma gods - I haven't been towed yet - but it also sets the
> tone for whatever calamity arises.
>
>
> 2. Live in the moment. If our cars didn't falter from time to time, and we
> drifted along in uncaring bliss, would get get to meet those exceptional
> people who rise to the occasion? Every breakdown that I have had has been
> just as interesting as the rest of the trip.
>
>
> 3. Invest in your ride. Do the things that need doing, when they need it.
> Replace the fuel lines. Make sure the brakes, tires, suspension are all in
> good condition before you set out. This won't make it never break down, but
> it will remove some of the failure points. We don't have a lot of sensors
> telling us what is wrong, so your ears (and seat) are your "OBD" system.
>
>
> We often mistake the reliability that we see in others' vehicles for a
> completely trouble-free experience. They, too, have had their share of
> breakdowns, its just that we don't see them. In my time owning Vanagons
> (and a '73 bus before that), it has been no worse than lots of other cars,
> and better than many.
>
>
> For most of us, our vanagon is >30 years old. This carries with it a
> weighty responsibility in maintenance but also the need to embrace the
> uncertainty that it brings with it.
>
>
> Despite all this, it remains a joy to own, and if that comes with a frisson
> of excitement because of the chance of breakdown, I'll take it. Not for
> everyone, to be sure, but that's how I am dealing with it.
>
>
> ...r
>
>
> ?On 2019-06-30, 5:37 PM, "Vanagon Mailing List on behalf of Richard
> Koerner" <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com on behalf of rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
>
> Which brings me to a last point. A few months ago someone mentioned
> reliability as their main goal with their Westy. I am very interested in
> ideas about reliability that anyone might share.
| 
