Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 12:33:55 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: 1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg, WLE For Sale - Not Running
In-Reply-To: <1fe.398ea5c.2fdfd8e1@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Jim,
Why is your van not running???
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Jim Davis wrote:
>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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