Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2000 00:27:05 -0500
Reply-To: Michael <grendal@USA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael <grendal@USA.COM>
Subject: new to list - '86 Vanagon GL
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi guys,
I'm not the actual owner, but my best friend and roomate (who doesn't value
mailing lists as much as I do!) just bought a great condition '86 Vanagon
GL 4spd. I believe the mileage is somewhere over 150k and the condition is
very good. The body has no rust, original good paint except the roof has
some clear coat cracking (is this typical?), 4spd manual, seating for 7,
blue coth interior, blue metallic exterior.
Things we found wrong:
1) seemingly minor oil leak. Problem fixed with new sending unit... it was
leaking. The leak (which was very obvious) seems to be totally gone.
2) A/C compressor is locked up and the clutch blown... what should one
expect to pay for replacement parts? labor is free (we have a friend and
former VW mechanic who will do it no cost)
Now, to the questions..... oh yes, they are many...
My friend is the 3rd owner, but didn't get a great deal of info from the
previous owner. So, here are my questions:
1) How can one tell if the engine has been rebuilt or head gasket replaced?
2) How long do the clutches last? Could this really be an original? it
seems to hold just fine.
3) Anything else to look for on this vehicle? it's in such darn good
condition that it is amazing. After taking a carpet steam cleaner to it,
the interior looks awesome. As good as any 2-3 year old used car would and
it's 14yrs old!!
4) it looks like the a/c ventilation was all removed at one time. Why
would that be done?? It's all back up there now, but they left off a
couple trim pieces, etc which gives it away! The fan motors all blow fine,
just seems to need the compressor replaced.
Thanks guys!
BTW, in case anyone cares, I'm a VW driver myself. Fairly new to the VW
family (starting in 1998), but I have a '98 VW Passat... somewhat modified
with a nice 1.8L turbo.
Talk to you guys more in the future I hope... how many people are on this list?
Michael
grendal@usa.com
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