Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 02:53:21 EDT
Reply-To: SyncroHead@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Davis <SyncroHead@AOL.COM>
Subject: 1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg, WLE For Sale - Not Running
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi all,
I just posted my beloved 1988 WLE on _www.thesamba.com_
(http://www.thesamba.com)
_http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=188699_
(http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=188699)
I'm the original owner, and don't really want to part with her, but the time
has come.
More photos can be seen at: _www.syncro.photosite.com_
(http://www.syncro.photosite.com)
(This van is NOT a Syncro.)
Regards,
Jim Davis
------------------------------------------------------------------
Description:
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg, WLE, like Carat - $2,700.
See more photos at: _www.Syncro.photosite.com_
(http://www.syncro.photosite.com/) (This van is NOT a Syncro)
1988 Volkswagen Vanagon GL, Wolfsburg Limited Edition
(Like a Carat model, but 1 year before VW used that name.)
Original Owner, Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, Power Door Locks,
Power Heated Mirrors, Power Windows, Cruise Control, Alloy Wheels (5), 142,595
Miles, Great Body and Interior Condition, Complete Accessories, Not Running
Accessory Items Included with purchase of ‘88 Vanagon WLE:
Original Window Sticker
Original 1988 Vanagon Brochure
Original Door/Ignition Keys, Two (2)
Original Glovebox Key
Original Key Serial Number Tags
Spare Key (duplicate, not VW)
Pioneer KEH-P4800 Cassette Stereo (4 x 40 Watts)
Two California “BXONWLS” License Plates (Box On Wheels)
Front “European Style” License Plate “BXONWLS”
“Wolf” Brand Vinyl Front End Cover “Bra”
Windshield Sunshade
Tinted Windows – Dark in rear, light on driver’s & passenger’s windows
Additional Grab handles above front doors and on driver’s A-pillar
Additional convenience light above driver’s door
Complete Set of Custom-Fit Floor Mats (Lloyd’s Brand??)
Rear Seat Outside Shoulder Belts
(These were factory belts I installed. VW didn’t include them until ’89 or ‘
90.
Lap belts still installed which work better with baby seats.)
Original Jack with plastic storage bag.
Original Lug Wrench
Original Phillips/Flat Screwdriver
Original 10/13mm Open End Wrench
Hella “flexi-stem” Reading Lamp Mounted above the passenger window
Complete Snap-in Curtain set, Rarely Used, Perfect Condition, Includes:
Left Side Windows, Right Side Windows, Rear Hatch Window,
Cab-separator, and original plastic storage bag.
Original Literature Including:
Silver Plastic Storage Pouch
Owner’s Manual
Dealer Directory, June ’87 Edition
Quality Assurance System paperwork
Maintenance Booklet
Warranty Booklet
Air Conditioner Supplement to Owner’s Manual
Consumer Warranty Brochure
Mileage:
Odometer reads 118810, but original odometer was replaced under warranty at
23,785 miles, so actual total mileage is: 142,595.
General Information:
--------------------------
Not Running:
In late 2001, this van (after many years of faithful service) started making
an unusual clacking (clicking?) or knocking sound in the engine. I was
listening to is while the engine ran, attempting to determine if this was lifter
clicking or something worse. While listening to the engine I decided it was
too dirty. I sprayed on some engine de-greaser and hosed it off, as I’ve done
many times, on many vehicles successfully. This time however I did not protect
the distributor well enough from the water and the van would not re-start.
I opened and dried the distributor, and attempted to re-start. Still no
start. I opened the distributor again and discovered that I had not been careful
reassembling it, and the attempted re-start tore off internal wires and bent
the little metal shield. After this the vehicle was parked and there has not
been any attempt to restart it. So, this means it at least needs a new
distributor (or replacement parts). And frankly the sound I was hearing before I “
cleaned” the engine sounded more like knocking than clicking, but I’m not
sure.
Tires:
Van has Michelin MXT tires, size 205/70R14, max load rating 1709lbs at
50PSI. These tires have about 90% of their tread wear left and “mileage-wise” are
almost new. However, these were put on not long before the van was parked
and have been sitting for about 4 years, without driving. I’m concerned that
these tires may have to be replaced, but this would be up to you and your tire
supplier. All wheels are original VW five-spoke alloy wheels, even the spare
has the alloy wheel.
The Good:
-----------------
Original Owner:
This vehicle is being sold by the original owner. Service was regularly
completed, and synthetic oil was used with discipline. This vehicle served our
family well for many years, 1988 – 2001. I really love this van and actually
hate to part with it. But, now that our kids are 17 and 14 it is no longer
needed by our family ( I also have an ’87 Syncro). If you do the math, you’ll
find we bought it shortly after our 17 year old was born. What a great baby
carrier!
Wolfsburg Limited Edition:
The Wolfsburg model is really great and was important in my original
decision to buy a VW van. I love the rear-facing seating configuration making a
great conversation area. Also, these rear-facing seats are very easily removed to
make for a VERY large cargo area. Big enough to hold a full-size roll-top
desk. Yes, I did carry our roll-top desk in there on the way home from the
furniture store. I love this seating arrangement so much, I removed the forward
facing seat from my 1987 Vanagon Syncro and installed rear-facing seats just
like the Wolfsburg models. The Wolfsburg also comes with a fold-down side
table on the driver’s side. With it in the “UP” position, it makes a perfect
eating, writing, planning, or mapping table for those in the rear.
Great Body Condition / No Rust:
The body is in near-perfect condition. Despite being 17 years old, the body
is in near-perfect condition and there are no signs of rust. None. Really, I
mean it, I can’t find any signs of rust. Ahhh, the life of a California
vehicle! This vehicle has never been in an accident, and no body repairs have been
damaged or repaired. The only reason I don’t say “perfect condition” is
that there is one very small dent on the sliding door. I’m certain that it can
be removed by one of those “paint-less dent removal” services. I was going
to take a photo of the dent, but I couldn’t see the dent through the camera,
so I didn’t. It’s about 1.3” long and about the depth of 5 sheets of paper.
(I used a ruler and paper as a “feeler gage”.) It’s really very small.
Complete Accessories:
Please see the list of what’s included with this purchase. I’m sure that no
other van I’ve seen sold has come with all the original items like this one,
even including the original window sticker!
Great Interior Condition:
The interior is in very good condition. Please look closely at the
photographs. It was well taken care of by us, and cleaned regularly. The carpets are
in very good condition mostly due to the fact that they’ve always been
covered by the custom-fit mat set that we got from the dealer when we purchased the
van. While the mats took a few spills they protected the VW carpet
underneath that has rarely seen the light of day. The dash sun shield has protected
the dash and it shows no signs of craking or fading. The vehicle smells fresh
inside because it HAS NEVER ONCE BEEN SMOKED IN. All the interior items
function well. Seats fold, slide, recline properly. From armrests are in good
condition and are not “wobbly” as some get at this age. One little thing though,
the glovebox has two tabs which hold it in the open position, and one is
broken off – still function fine though. I’ve installed a couple handy switches
you might be interested in. One cuts off the A/C compressor for short term
use while motoring up a grade. Another pair of switches control the interior
lights – one turns on all the interior lights that ate in the “door” position.
The other turns off all the lights even if the doors are open.
Heaters, fans, windows, door locks, instruments, defroster, mirrors, etc all
worked fine when last used.
No Engine or Transmission Leaks:
At the time the vehicle was parked, it didn’t leak anything from the engine
or transmission, including engine oil, coolant, or ATF. Since it’s been
sitting for years, I couldn’t predict what it might do today though. Sometimes
seals “dry-out” with non use and age.
The Bad:
-----------------
Engine:
The engine is not currently running. See the story in the “General
Information” section. Before being parked, the coolant temperature would sometimes
climb fairly high when in stop-and-go traffic, but would drop again when the van’
s speed picked up.
Transmission:
The Automatic Transmission began occasionally slipping about 5,000 miles
before the vehicle was parked. It was only occaisional and adding some ATF
Additive all but stopped the slipping, which still happened once in a while. After
sitting for years, I couldn’t predict how the transmission would respond
today. I would expect that it will need servicing or rebuilding soon.
Power Steering Rack:
The power steering rack had a fluid leak before the van was parked. The leak
was not very much volume, and I hardly had to add any fluid, but
nevertheless it was leaking and will need to be repaired or replaced.
Air Conditioning:
The AC was not working when the van was parked. I believe it was just a
small leak that caused the trouble, as I recharged it and it worked fine for
several weeks before the cold went away. I was deliberating over whether or not
to have it repaired with the original “old style” refrigerant or the “new
stuff”. At the time all sorts of rumors were flowing around about what you need
to do to convert to the new stuff, and I was waiting for consensus before
doing the work. Now, it’s a moot point and the only refrigerant is the new
stuff, and all shops have years of experience doing conversions.
Cruise Control
The vacuum actuator for the cruise control developed a tear in it and so
could no longer actuate the throttle. I removed this part. I believe that
replacing this part will have the cruise control working again.
The Ugly:
----------------
Paint on the Top of the Roof
The paint on the top of the van’s roof definitely shows the van’s 17 year
old age and is in poor condition. It should be repainted to make the van
really look “prime again”. This also effects places on the tops of the bumpers
where the sun has taken it’s toll. However, the paint most other places on the
van is still in good condition. It could stand some TLC with buffing, waxing,
etc before it would really look good though.
Missing Fluorescent Light Cover
The interior fluorescent light over the table is missing a little gray
plastic cover which normally covers some electrical components.
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