Hi there!
I've been receiving the list for a couple of months now and get a buzz from
reading it. I especially like the comradery amongst you Americanos. My name
is Frank and I've been a VW fan for about 12 yrs. I've tried to own other
vehicles but in the end just gave up and decided that vw kombis were the
best. I've owned a 66 split (pride and joy for a few years until it became
noisy), a 77 camper (too much weight), 77 micro with astron water cool
conversion ( what was I thinking!), 76 kombi - now that was a real
workhorse!! and now a 92 transporter (vanagon), Yee Hah! - man do I love
these machines.. I liked servicing and tweaking the airs, and now feel a
total git with the electronics, water, and other high tech stuff on the 92.
;-(
It took me months of searching the net to find this place until I learned
that in America you call them vanagons; How did they get that name?
You fellas heard of a kombi or transporter? ;-)
Here's a few questions and thanks in advance:
Do you guys have the wave happening over there?.. In Australia the kombi
wave only applies up to '79 (old shape) vans - a real bummer - I still wave
in the 92 - and still get the cold shoulder.
How many Australians on the list? Is there an Aust list?
Shortly after buying the van I took it to get serviced (115000km) When I got
it back I noticed the van lacked a bit of power - not much - but enough to
make me think about it. They also did the full radiator flush - after which
the motor ran a bit hotter (needle width) they took it back and adjusted the
thermo but still the same, is this normal?
When driving up grades (not nec steep) I notice the temp gauge rises two
needle widths then settles back after the slope - is this normal?
my gearbox pops out of first on deceleration or hitting a bump when
descending steep grades - Any thoughts?
The Side sliding door whether slammed or gently closed, frequently doesn't
latch in the rear section. It looks closed but the rear unlatches when
driving. help!
And lastly for a vanagon friend: traction -lack of - lim slip diff - are
they available in Australia?

thanks
frank
92 kombi