In preparation for our first real trip, I found a nearby mechanic with experience and willingness to work on VW vans (Road & Race, found from a positive review over at the Full Moon Bus Club) and asked him to give the Moose a once over.

I mean, I want to do a lot of the work on it myself, but I’m an auto mechanic newbie so I’ve got to be realistic. I figured it would be good to at least know what I’m up against, right?

They found quite a few things in need of repair, the biggest being a leak in the coolant reservoir under pressure at normal operating temperature. Oh, and two busted shocks (I suspected that). A broken pin/bushing on the shifter (well, I kind of knew that; second gear likes to play hide & seek). And a cracked alternator bracket and a loose belt. And dry rotted tires with a completely inappropriately sized spare. And a few leaky vacuum lines. And a disconnected OXY sensor. And a rattling catalytic converter. And, of course, the leaky gas tank.

Good news was that the engine and transmission are mechanically sound. No oil leaks or other serious issues.

So the Moose is staying a few nights at the doctor’s shop. Funny; I miss it already.