Date:         Thu, 3 Jun 2004 11:41:26 -0400
Reply-To:     John Wallace <jwallace@MSAD43.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Wallace <jwallace@MSAD43.ORG>
Subject:      Starter or battery?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I just picked up an 88 Vanagon Wolfsburg  2 wd with 117K. It is a one
owner van. Seems to run OK. But i do have some questions.

1. The starter turns the engine over slowly at first then cranks fast and
it starts ok when the engine is cool. But when I drive it a distance on
the turnpike and she warms up, she will barely turn over and sometime it
won't.  Is this common on these as I am not familiar with them but love
the rig and it goes down the pike real smooth and gets 20mpg on the
highway. How would I check to see if it's the starter or the battery?

If it is the starter, where can I purchase a Repair manual...it appears
Haynes does not make one for the 85-91 Vanagon.

2. It also has some blow by oil that will spot the rear bumper/hatch if I
take it on the pike for an hour or two 70mph drive....where might I look
for oil leaks?

3. It has some rust through in the front foot wells...is this common? any
other hidden areas I should look for? Where could I get body parts and
correctly matched paint?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

John Wallace
Rumford, ME