Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1998 21:40:32 -0700
Reply-To: "Philip Hanson (Volt Computer)" <a-phanso@MICROSOFT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Philip Hanson (Volt Computer)" <a-phanso@MICROSOFT.COM>
Subject: Make Fuel Line message a regular for newbies.
Not a bad idea. ph
-----Original Message-----
From: Pat [mailto:pdooley@GTE.NET]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 1998 7:57 PM
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Congrats! Check it out...was: NEW OWNER!!
Seriously, can we make this message (or something like it) a standard
mailing to new subscribers of the list?
Obviously seasoned owners just joining won't get much from it, but it may
help to save some newbies much grief and frustration. Not to mention our
supply of vanagons, which isn't getting any bigger.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, October 19, 1998 1:48 PM
Subject: Congrats! Check it out...was: NEW OWNER!!
>Ron,
>Please change my status! I'm no longer a wannabe but now the proud owner
>of an 89 Westy! <<SNIP>>>I bought it "sight-unseen" over the internet from
>the PO in Texas. I had it shipped to Iowa and it arrived this morning.
> <<<SNIP>>>
>I'm taking a little cruise with it on Wednesday, having it detailed on
>Thursday, might actually go camping this weekend!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>Jim-
>Congrats on the new machine! We just got our Westfalia about six weeks back
>and have already logged 3,500 miles, almost all of that was camping or
>going/coming from camping. Been out 4 out of 6 weekends. Fall colors and
>great temperatures out; you'll have a ball.
>A word of caution: It's exciting to have a new vehicle, but as you have
>seen from your lurking, a few maintenance oversights by the previous owner
>can spell big trouble to a Westfalia. It is a complicated mechanism, with
>plenty of areas where a simple fault can lead to great expense, and grief.
>Spend the weekend inspecting/replacing some things before a big outing.
>Check brake pads and shoes, crawl around under the van and look at
>everything closely, especially the steering gear and suspension. Check
>shift linkages, CV boots, muffler hangers, radiator hoses, tire pressure,
>propane fittings (use sudsy water). Look for the start of rust.
>Beyond all else, CHANGE THE FUEL LINES. It takes an hour or so, and costs
>less than $35 (even if you buy some new clamps and a filter. How many
>woeful (former) owners have we seen come to the list, with smoke still in
>their hair, with the sad tale of how their "new" Vanagon went up in flames.
>Buy insurance, buy a fire extinguisher, learn to use it, but change your
>fuel lines before you use this van.
>Happy motoring,
>
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Principal
>Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
>Communications for Organizational Development
>Cary, North Carolina
>www.bulley-hewlett.com
>(888) 468-4880 toll free
>
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