Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 00:12:37 -0800
Reply-To: warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Am I crazy?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
You are only crazy if you expect the kind of reliability out of a used Vanagon with little info on the previous maintenance.
Unless the previous owner has done all these recently, these basics should be done.
First, a buyers inspection to get the compression readings, transmission and brake evaluation.
The compression readings will give you an idea how strong the engine will run.
Brake pads up front are easy to check- they wear out faster in an automatic vanagon.
The cooling system should be pressure tested.
The alternator and battery need checking.
What about all the camper stuff? Does the fridge work on propane? This is often a problem with Westies .
If the vehicle has central locking , power windows/mirrors these are getting old-expect replacement .
Other things to check but not worry about is the front suspension, bearings, valve adjustments.
If the heads are OK as you have been told, you may get 50,000 mile or more on this engine.
The engines tend to last long -the head gaskets the main reliability issue.
Vanagons have less maintenance than the busses- brakes are self adjusting -no greasing of the suspension needed,
The WBX -no points to gap, replace, no more oil bath air cleaner to clean!
Well, you can tell I used to drive an early bus before I bought my modern '82.
Before I sold my 64 bus I considered a F*rd van-then I found the 82 Diesel-what you are up against is nothing compared to your "project".
Not trying to scare you- you will not have to do a fraction of what I did to to own a newer VW-
My choice was a 82 Diesel Westfalia with a fire burnt engine. Now, six years later, the only thing that it lacks from being like a 87-91 are fiberglass bumpers , power windows and power mirrors.Yeah, it has power steering and AC.
The central locking is almost finished..
-
Robert
1982 Westfalia
1987 Wolfsburg
----- Original Message -----
Wrom: TQNQEMSFDU
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 5:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Am I crazy?
Delurking here to get a bit of advice. I am considering the purchase of a 1987 Westy, A/C auto. The body is in very nice shape, interior is squeaky clean. Original engine. 155,000 miles. Some head work done, I'm not exactly sure what. And now the question:
Am I crazy to be buying this thing with the expectation that it will take me, the wife, and two kids on a 8,000-mile plus tour of the east coast and Canada? I've owned many VWs in the past, but never a WBX. I am mechanically inclined, as all VW owners either are or will be at some point. I don't mind doing the work, in fact I enjoy it. However I'm too old to see much romance in being stuck by the side of the road, wife cursing and kids screaming, while the Westy boils over. I know a lot depends on condition and prior maintenance blah blah blah. Just tell me if indeed a trip like this is some kind of flashback and I should get a F*rd, or indeed if this is still doable in this day and age.
With much anxiety over joining the WBX crowd,
Bob WGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
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