Date:         Sat, 16 Dec 2000 11:47:31 -0500
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: new vanagon owner

Congratulations!  Sounds like you may have found a good one. I love the red
ones.
Regarding rust, the only really critical spots are body seams.  That you
want to fix/stop right away.  There are lots of really good rust control
products available from Eastwood Company  www.eastwoodcompany.com
Fixing brakes and alignment first is a good idea.  Regarding the head leak,
definitely keep the level up (don't forget to add anti-freeze along with the
water!).  Don't think that I would use the stop leak unless an emergency.
I'd be concerned about it plugging up the radiator and heater cores along
with the leak. The A/C can wait 'til later, though when you do, consider
having the system changed over to R134 refrigerant.  The freon that this
system was orignally designed to use is becoming unavailable.  Last summer
is was costing something like $200 per lb.  For snow tires, this isn't too
uncommon a size.  If you check through the list archives for recent messages
about snow tires you'll see several possibilities discussed.  If you look
for light truck (LT) tires rather than passenger car tires, you should do
better.   For rust prevention, if you can, before the van gets thoroughly
coated with salt this winter, get underneath and spray everything that
doesn't move with rubberized undercoating.  Be sure to get the wheel wells,
the corner of the body right behind the wheels, and the front side of the
frame rails.  If there is any rust in these areas now, fix it with a
chemical rust converter first. Finally, try to keep the van as clean as
possible.  Get the salt and sand off if you can (I know that this is tough
when the hose is frozen solid).
As you put some miles on your new baby, you'll find other stuff that needs
attention. It comes with the territory, these aren't new Toyotas!  That's
what The List is for.  Chances are we have dealt with the same  issues many
times before.

Good Luck!

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: ajw <rompu@MHONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2000 5:26 AM
Subject: new vanagon owner


> Hello all,
>
> Yesterday I became what most of the people on this list are, that is, a
> proud owner of a VW Vanagon.  It's a red '87 with something over 120K on
> it.  I paid $2500.
>
> It's in pretty excellant condition - barely any rust on it and it's
> clear that someone really took good care of it for the better part of
> its existence.  I'd like to keep it in as good shape as possible but am
> sadly completely ignorant of automotive mechanics, so if any of you have
> any advice on how to best care for my new baby, I am eager to learn.
>
> I had a VW expert take a good look before I wrote the check.  He found a
> number of problems including the famous headgasket leak, warped rotors
> on the front brakes, handbrake out of adjustment, need for alignment, a
> hole in the exhaust pipe flange, and a leak in the A/C side hose.
> Nonetheless, he said it was remarkably well preserved, had a number of
> very new parts in it, and thought is was worth the price.  So, I guess
> I'm going to have to sink some money into it, but I feel good about it.
>
> I think I'm going to start with the brakes and alignment and wait a
> while on the heads until it really needs to be done.  He said that so
> long as I keep the coolant level up there will be no damage done to the
> engine.  The guy who I bought it from reccommended using Stopleak, but I
> was told that that was a bad idea and that it would just gum up the
> engine.
>
> Also, since I live in upstate New York, I need to get snow tires put on
> - any reccommendations?  The guy who inspected the vehicle reccommended
> 185 R14 - reinforced sidewalls.  I gather these are not standard tire
> sizes - any ideas on the best place to get them?  Also, any advice on
> coping with snow, ice, and especially salt?  I don't have a garage and
> I'd like to keep this body free of rust for as long as possible.
>
> Anyway - sorry for the long message.
>
> Thanks
>
> Antony Widoff
> Hudson NY
>
>
>
> --
> >>signature file follows>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> HEY!
> slightly updated ROMPU site:
> http://www.rompu.com
> including some images of the Instructional Fixture
> _______________________________________________
>