Hi,

Thanks everyone - this was from the Wagon Shop in Kirkland, WA who does
work on Vanagons, but I am taking in to Louis Foreign Auto tomorrow for
a second opinion.

It is a 2.1 liter (sorry!) and was a rebuilt installed by Wolfsburg
Motor Works in Ballard.

I really only wanted an oil change and the belts put on - all my records
going back don't show any of these problems.

Time is an issue as I do have a job, and  the road trip is also related
to a job....

The van doesn't pull to the side, doesn't make noise....does leak a bit
of radiator fluid...I've been driving it on a lot of trips of three hour
duration....

Has a new sensors....which might have leaned it up a bit....

Les Schwab checked the front brakes a few months ago and said they were
fine.

So....

I guess we will see tomorrow - I just have to wake up at 4:30 am in
order to pull off the second opinion!

I know there are some good mechanics around Eureka and Arcata,
however...

Thanks,

Andree

On Wed, 28 May
2008, Cullen Stewart wrote:

> Is this guy a VW specialist? I have had many a mechanic throw me that pitch
> and then have a real Dub shop tell me the truth!
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "A. Hurley" <ahurley@VIEWIT.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:39 PM
> Subject: Road trip and mechanics litany of issues
>
>
>> So...I need to drive from Seattle to Aracta, CA and took my van in to a
>> mechanic for an oil change, belt change and checkup.
>>
>> He came back with all this:
>>
>> Left front brake caliper is sticking, pads worn to 20% ($600?)
>>
>> Runs lean - needs tune up (adjust the mixture screw?)
>>
>> Fly seal and galley plug leaking
>>
>> Front heater valve leaks (not losing much)
>>
>> Water pump has stain at weep hole
>>
>> Right ball joint bad, need upper boots
>>
>>
>>
>> So...estimate is about $1500, and recommend I don't go to CA Friday....
>>
>> Any advice or opinions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Andree
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Andree Hurley
>> Viewit.com - http://viewit.com/
>> Kayak Instruction Newsletter -
>> http://onwatersports.com/KIX/Newsletters/KayakNewsletterSpring08.html

Sincerely,

Andree Hurley
Viewit.com - http://viewit.com/
Kayak Instruction Newsletter -
http://onwatersports.com/KIX/Newsletters/KayakNewsletterSpring08.html