Date:         Sun, 16 Apr 2006 02:08:04 -0400
Reply-To:     jbeaulie@ND.EDU
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake Beaulieu <jbeaulie@ND.EDU>
Subject:      Re: '80 Air Cooled Vanagon
Comments: To: Christopher <chris@MIRAIUSA.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2006041519304030@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hey Chris,

I have an 82 air cooled vanagon.  Replacing the valves as maintenance seems a
bit extreme to me.  I would do a compression and leak down test before I broke
into the motor.  If that all looks good I would be sure that all the cooling
tin is in place, and the thermostat is functional.  If it doesn't already have
an oil temp and pressure gauge installed I would put that high on my priority
list.

Best of luck,
Jake

Quoting Christopher <chris@MIRAIUSA.COM>:

> Here is one for all you air cooled owners.
>
> I have an '80 air cooled Vanagon with about 80,000 miles on it.  It was
> bought from an older couple (first owners) who brought it here from Florida
> and basically garaged it for most its life.
>
> Being an air cooled is there anything you would recommend as maintenance
> around this mileage point.  I was thinking of yanking the heads and having
> the valves replaced as maintenance.  It was recommended to me by a local
> mechanic.
>
> Looking for your advice to keep this motor running well into the 150K range.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>