Date:         Mon, 7 Jan 2002 07:36:45 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Air vs Water
Comments: To: Claudio Cella <claudiocella@SHAW.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <002901c19757$333bf1c0$8dab4318@ok.shawcable.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Volks, i would be interested in hearing from owners of air and
> water cooled Vanagons.  In your eyes what are the advantages and
disadvanges
> of the water cooled design and the air cooled design?


Well, I can see the flames shooting over this one.  For some, this is like
asking which religion is the right one.   :-)

In my opinion...

Air cooled Vanagon:
Can be much easier to work on (simple design, no cooling hoses, etc.)
Also can be cheaper to have repaired professionally (for same reason)
Poor interior heating system (unless you have a gasoline heater)
Vehicles are older, thus generally tend to be in worse overall conditon
Lower resale value than watercooled vans (but as noted, older and may be in
worse condition).  This can be an advantage if you're the buyer and a
disadvantage if you're the seller. :-)
Biggest weakness is a tendancy to drop valve seats if overheated, with
potentially serious consequences

Water cooled Vanagon (gas engine):
Harder/more expensive to repair.  Also, wasserboxer-specific parts generally
cost a bit more
Good heat.  (Air conditioning also commonly available.)
More powerful (even the 1.9L has more actual hp than the 2L aircooled
engine)
Clean, lower mileage ones more easily found (but not always cheap)
Lots of hoses to leak/burst, many of which may be original and due for
replacement
Biggest weakness is a tendancy to blow head gaskets if overheated (and
sometimes even if not), with potentially serious consequences

Bottom line: both have different sets of advantages and drawbacks.
Solution:  get one of each!  :-)

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  (215) 234-VWVW
  www.busdepot.com

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