EPIC SUMMER TRIP - 2018!!
Fixed rust - CHECK!
New paint- CHECK!
Restored woodwork - CHECK!
Restored fiberglass top and luggage rage – CHECK!
New canvas - CHECK!
New flooring - CHECK!
New curtains - CHECK!
Working heat - CHECK!
Tires good - CHECK!
New engine - CHECK!
New external oil cooler and filter - CHECK!
Add a-room tent - CHECK!
Many, many other small projects, and restorations, and details - CHECK!
Bruno is ready for a vacation!
I took two weeks off from work, and we planned a Maine road trip. A couple days with family in Lisbon Falls, a several days in each – Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park and then meeting friend at a camp on Moosehead lake.
Bruno was a champ! The engine purred, the oil was cool and all was good in the world. Even the weather was awesome – it only rained 1 ½ days the entire trip! We went everywhere and got the looks the whole way.
We had one mechanical adventure – On the way north up the Maine coast on Route 1, I notice that we started using a little break fluid, and the rear, right wheel was weeping out all that I put in. We had just past Belfast, ME, which is home to the iconic Beetle Shop. It was Sunday, so the shop was closed. But I call up Ian Pottle first thing Monday. I can’t say enough good about this guy! At that point, we were already in Acadia. But we planned to come back through Belfast that Wednesday. So, we made plans with Ian for a rear brake job over lunch. He arranged a ride into town so we could get lunch. 2 hours and $200 later we ha a great lunch on the coast of Maine, and new break cylinders and pads in the rear! Excellent work at an excellent price! I cannot recommend Ian and the Beetle Shop enough.
We picked up and went to Bangor from there. But…as I pulled out of Ian’s I could tell the breaks were dragging a little, the needed to seat in a bit. Half way to Bangor, the wheel started to smoke. We panicked a bit – but then I took stock. The wheel had been soaked with brake fluid for days. And now, the new pads were dragging a little. The drum got hot and burnt off the fluid. It was about 300 degrees.
Bruno was stopping just fine. But I want to verify – was the new cylinder leaking? Was it stuck? For this I needed to jack up the rear right and see if the wheel spun freely and then stopped when you hit the peddle. But – I had a problem. When fixing the little rust that Bruno had, the body shop repaired the jack point. But it was like a millimeter too narrow. The jack would not go into the slot.
Instead of field repairing the jack point. We decided to spend the night in a part in Bangor and then head to the dealership in the morning. That night we cruised over to Nicky’s Dinner for Cruise Night then found a secluded spot in a park for the night. We headed over to Darlin’s VW Dealership to see if they could take a peek. These guys were great! They got us right in. I had to teach the young service tech how to find reverse in a classic air-cooled VW. They were all more than happy help out. Bruno spent 10 min up on the lift. We verified that the wheel spun freely and that the breaks worked. They only charged us $11 for the lift time!
And we were on out way with no more issues!
After that we spent several days in Baxter state park. (Bruno does not like dirt, washboard roads). And then several days with friends on Moosehead Lake. On the ride home down Rout 95, while maintaining 67mph, the oil temp peaked out at 235-ish. So, we back it down to 62 and enjoyed the ride. It was 95 degrees out, so how much more could I ask for!? It was a wonderful drive with the AC (the wing windows) at full blast! 😊
