Hi-- I'm new to list, and I've been after a Westfalia for 6 months. My only vw experience was a 67 bug, 1968-78. I've read a fair amount on this and other sites, but I'd like some advice on evaluating an 84 Westy that I'm ready to go to Florida from Ithaca to look at next Saturday. Specifically, what possibilities (including the leaking heads problem) are there for the following information, and how would I check them out? --Present owner says he had van evaluated a year ago, and consequently had both head gaskets and water pump replaced. Heads NOT re-done. --He says van never did & does not now leave any puddles of antifreeze, but he suspects it has a leak because he had to add coolant regularly when he was driving it constantly. Van has been used only occasionally in past 6 months, since he got a Jetta. --He has let the cooling system get low on coolant in the past, and now has learned how to bleed the system. --Van has 97K, engine never replaced, he says. Other doubts: 1- I'm thinking that this Westy should be in good body shape being in Florida, but maybe I'm ignoring the salt water corrosion factor? What's the experience of Florida Vanagons/Westfalias? 2- Know of a good Vanagon person near Ormond Beach, Florida, who might be willing to look at a van Sat afternoon, 1/15/00? 3- Maybe I should use the airfare in pursuit of a better $2600 Westy. Thanks for any thoughts. If there are archive messages which answer this, more or less, I haven't been diligent enough to find them. A hint in the right direction would be great. Dave Ritchie |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.