ricksvw
09-19-2009, 04:08 PM
It seems like my van has a mind of its own, I was planning a camping trip/family reunion this weekend that would have been a 4 hour drive, I guess she didn't want to go because Friday on the way to work she started crying, I mean a metal coolant pipe sprung a leak. Ok well I can still make it camping!...1.5 hour oneway drive to the BusDepot here in PA to pick up the part after getting out to work, ended up being a 2 hour drive. But I got the part! I asked about the gasket/o-ring needed for the install that they did not have but comes with a new waterpump, they told me it would have to be special ordered, why didn't they just sell me the one we were looking at with the water pump they pulled out to look at? I am not sure. Luckly I remembered that I bought a new waterpump 2 years ago and never installed it! I did have an o-ring. So stop at the pizza place to pick up pizza for the family dinner, I didn't get home till 8pm, upon getting home I find my wife and daughter sitting on the couch with colds...so I eat and gather tools,9pm. At this time I decide that it has been a long day and plan for bed and fix in the AM. I have done repairs at night with a shop light and it's just not fun and after a long day it tends to take twice as long to do. 7 am to 11 am I get the Job done!!! One rotted pipe removed and 1 shiny new pipe installed, with the usual swearing, only one small bleeding cut, custom made 6mm allen wrench/rachet socket, the usual searching for just the right tool, ended up cutting one wire that had to be spliced and a new piece installed, bleed the system/always a fun chore. Well now its decision time. The wife and daughter sick/no camping/family reunion for me 4 hour drive alone didn't sound good...But the van is no longer leaking and will live to ride again. It must not have been meant to be.
The time when the VW breaks is one of great sadness, but the ability to bring it back to life is a great way to make one feel good. This act of breaking then fixing does make the enjoyment of the ride that much more enjoyable. I do remember why I like air cooled VWs/darn coolant system, but I do also like to have really nice warm heat in the winter/faster highway speeds, and a little better ride. I wish I could have one of each type of VW bus for different occasions. But I guess the one I have now will have to do until my next project finds me. So I can start a new Love/Hate relationship.:V:
If you made it this far, thanks for reading and sorry for the grammer!
The time when the VW breaks is one of great sadness, but the ability to bring it back to life is a great way to make one feel good. This act of breaking then fixing does make the enjoyment of the ride that much more enjoyable. I do remember why I like air cooled VWs/darn coolant system, but I do also like to have really nice warm heat in the winter/faster highway speeds, and a little better ride. I wish I could have one of each type of VW bus for different occasions. But I guess the one I have now will have to do until my next project finds me. So I can start a new Love/Hate relationship.:V:
If you made it this far, thanks for reading and sorry for the grammer!