Honest and competent VW mechanic recommendations in San Diego Ca

[Surfershaper]

Hi all, my first post. I live in Australia but own a 1971 Kombi currently in storage in San Diego. In mid July I'm coming over to visit and need some work done on the van.
After a previous big trip to Mexico the transmission needs replacing. Brakes will also need some attention. Any recommendations for a quality stock transmission, and or a decent mechanic in the SD area (closer to the border the better) would be much appreciated.
I contacted Rancho Performance in Fullerton but they never replied.
Thanks very much comrades.

[aeromech]

I’m your guy.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Abscate]

See above
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.ssS!

[OB Bus]

X2.
Robbie (Airschooled) would be another good choice but he is on tour - I believe - for much of the summer. Gary is closer to the border and uses a great transmission shop.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[SGKent]

Gary is your guy. You won't find a better solution.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[ImAddicted]

[Brian]

transmission shop
a good dude
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[creative native]

I'm yet one more here to vouch for Gary Aeromech's extensive knowledge. If I were in closer proximity to Gary, I'd trust him with my Bus as if it were my first born child.
_________________
"The holy land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk
1979 Westfalia P27, California FI emissions spec. 100% VW fleet: '79 Westfalia, 2013 Touareg Lux (Toffee Brown/Cornsilk Beige), 2005 Passat GLX.

[Surfershaper]

Thanks very much for your replies. I'll be in touch with Gary soon.

I know this is not a travel forum but forgive me for a bit of unusual background to my Van. I've owned it since 1986, bought in San Diego. Soon after, a good friend and great VW mechanic Bob Badenoch/ now retired, did a top end rebuild using low compression components to deal with bad Mexican gas. I store it with a friend for my US forays. It's a stock 1600 dual port.

During the past 35 years I've driven my van from SD to Panama and return via Utah and N. Oregon. Three trips to mainland Mexico. 2 via Nogales and 1 from Cabo on the ferry. It's been all over the West coast. Only broken down seriously once in Costa Rica when the engine almost fell out after the rear engine carrier was ripped out of the case hitting a deep pothole. I had a tractor tow me to a friend's place in the jungle where we repaired it and I met a lovely girl in the bargain.

Two broken clutch cables and an accelerator cable is all apart from the above. I do most of the work on it myself/you have to down south. Now, it's driveable but the tranny is pretty noisy and needs to come out.
What a great site this is.

[Xevin]

[SGKent]

[Squareback619]

Hi, took my square to Griffins Auto in Downtown SD. The guys at Vee Parts in National City recommended them. They adjusted the valves during an oil change service and I have had to take it back because of the amount of oil it leaked after the services was done and it continues to have excessive leakage around valve covers and other spots. Would like to take it in or have someone look a it. I live in the Chula Vista area and I am a SD Aircooled member. Anyone know a good mechanic that can take a look at it. I do not recommend Griffins Auto. I have had the square fro about 2 years and it has been a great car. I dont know much about the history of the car. Thanks for any advice or recommendations in advance.

[metahacker]

Tim Kotter in Escondido ("Kotter's VW Service") is a great guy and knows his stuff. His shop has been around for a long time and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone with an old VW. You can't go wrong with them... other than the fact that they get super busy. I've sent a couple people their way.

People on SD VW Facebook groups really seem to like Erkom's .. although I can't say I have any first-hand experience.

All that said, I don't think you're gonna find a better solution than a dude like Gary personally working with you.

Almost all the OG VW shop people are retired at this point.... places like BRU have closed down. Thankfully most of those shop owners purchased their shop locations and now are able to sell the spaces for millions of dollars and have a proper retirement.

For transmissions --

TransWorks is a family business and they really know their stuff.
They'd be my first pick for a VW tranny builder.... and they're very local.

that said, I have 2 Rancho transmissions.. one I inherited and the other I picked up because I won the Buses by the Bridge raffle Rancho gift certificate. They are busy as hell but good people and know what they are doing. They also are a rep for Guards transaxle and can fit that killer Bus specific quaife-style diff... if you are looking to pick up some more traction on questionable roads in baja.

I've heard lots of good things about Benco, too.. but no personal experience at all.

[Squareback619]

Thanks fort he Reply. Will look into the shops you recommended!

[OB Bus]

[babysnakes]

[SGKent]

Gary is not a traditional shop or mechanic in the sense people are asking for the name of a shop. He helps fellow VW owners get back on the road and solve their issues honestly, but he isn't a "for hire" mechanic or shop. Many of us help fellow VW owners out because there really aren't a large number of VW shops out there any more so we have to help each other.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Terminatez]

I wouldn't be driving my bus without Gary. +1
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1972 Westfalia P30 hardtop Campmobile [On-going Restoration]

[notchboy]

The original inquiry was in May. Did you guys link up?
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[aeromech]

Nope
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound