My training told me I should get a second opinion. We paid Wolfsburg Motorwerks $500 (ouch) and took the van home. I did some more research and found a shop in Renton that worked only on Vanagons. Northwesty Vans. I called and told them my plight. They said they would be glad to look at our van for free and give us an opinion.
John and I drove to Renton and spoke with the owner of Northwesty, Kirk. He seemed to know everything about Vanagons, and he was really nice. He could do the repairs Wolfsburg Motorwerks had suggested, but better and cheaper (of course). Plus, one of his employees had just rebuilt a 2.2 waterboxer engine and wanted to sell it. We were told it would be perfect for our van, and it cost only $4,500, including a new stainless steel exhaust system. Here it is:
Amazingly, the work they proposed to do amounted to just a few dollars shy of $15,000. Coincidence maybe, but being thesucker trusting person I am, I agreed and they rang up a credit card receipt for $7,000 to begin work.
Lesson number 5: Auto mechanics are like doctors. See a specialist and get a second opinion.
John and I drove to Renton and spoke with the owner of Northwesty, Kirk. He seemed to know everything about Vanagons, and he was really nice. He could do the repairs Wolfsburg Motorwerks had suggested, but better and cheaper (of course). Plus, one of his employees had just rebuilt a 2.2 waterboxer engine and wanted to sell it. We were told it would be perfect for our van, and it cost only $4,500, including a new stainless steel exhaust system. Here it is:
Amazingly, the work they proposed to do amounted to just a few dollars shy of $15,000. Coincidence maybe, but being the
Lesson number 5: Auto mechanics are like doctors. See a specialist and get a second opinion.
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