Date:         Thu, 3 Oct 2002 13:45:06 -0600
Reply-To:     Martin Jagersand <jag@CS.UALBERTA.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Martin Jagersand <jag@CS.UALBERTA.CA>
Subject:      Re: questions about 83 diesel vanagon
Comments: To: seanj@chronotechnic.com
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.BSF.4.33.0210031221220.86015-100000@chronotechnic.com>
              (message from Sean Jensen-Grey on Thu, 3 Oct 2002 12:25:32 -0700
              (PDT))

   Date:        Thu, 3 Oct 2002 12:25:32 -0700 (PDT)
   From:        Sean Jensen-Grey <seanj@chronotechnic.com>

   I ran across your website, a wonderous amount of information. Thank
   you.

   I own a diesel chevette that a friend and I are converting it over
   to vegetable oil and found an 83 5sp diesel vanagon for sale that I
   would like to do the same with.

Cool, would be nice to see how it works out. We all ought to thank
you for thinking environmentally friendly... Also, the Diesel Vanagon
will automatically ensure that you travel at safe speeds ;-) Saves
lives and money (less fuel cost and no speeding tickets).

   I own a 76 2.0L van, but have never experienced a vw diesel.

   Are there any gotchas to look for?

Mostly: If the van has ever overheated it may have a warped head and/or
headgasket leaks. Check for bubbling/blowing coolant when test driving.
Since the vans put a heavier load on the small engine than the cars, they
are more likely to end up with this problem.

   Are parts hard to find?

No worse than your loaf bus. Some cooling system hoses and the expansion
tank are hard to find original parts, so if they break you have to figure
out generic replacements. Not too hard to solve for the home mechanic
with a bit of time and ingenuity.

   Are there certain engine models to stay away
   from?

All US vanagon diesels are the same 1.6l engine.

Cheers,
Martin