The later coolant system is much more tolerant of air and is almost self bleeding. If looking at automatics, the later system works a lot better. The difference in price will easily be made back at resale time. The later van also gets a better exhaust, the oil cooler, larger front brakes, etc. Whatever you are paying, keep in mind that there is some reason these vans are for sale and the purchase price is sort of a down payment for ownership. Either plan to get dirty or bring money. Even the '87 is going on 20 years. Be realistic. If it hasn't been replaced or serviced in the last 5 years, you will get to replace it within the next 5 or sooner. Dennis -----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Ian Cooley Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 1:42 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Coolant line complications - early vs. late vanagons. So, I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I'm currently looking at what appears to be two veery well maintained vanagons, one '84 and the other an '87. By going for the '84, I would be saving myself about $2000. The only thing staying my hand, however, is an impression I've been given of the earlier models. From what I have been told, these vans (the '81-'85, I believe...those w/ a 1.9L?) are consistently plagued by problems with the lines running coolant or water from the radiator in the front to the engine in back. These lines, if I understand it correctly, are prone to cracks and leaks. On the other hand, a friend assures me this problem is easily solved by simply protecting these lines...i.e., insulating them in foam or sheathing them in metal, etc. If anybody has any information concerning this problem specifically, or any other advantage of the later models over the earlier for that matter (or, conversely, shortcomings of the earlier over the later), please feel free to pmail me at ianrcooley@gmail.com . This car has to make it as many as 30,000 miles, so such issues are of grave concern to me and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! -- Scientists warn that traveling through space-time by means of a cosmic wormhole may be extremely dangerous. |
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