Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (December 1994)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 7 Dec 94 10:23:10 AST
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         smitht@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca (Tim Smith)
Subject:      '87 synchro advice needed

Help me.... I've just viewed an '87 synchro that's for sale. Obvious problems are a rusty exhaust system, a non-working rear differential lock, and bad rear wheel bearings. Power mirrors are dead too. No air cond! What else should be checked out? Any synchro specific tests I can do? I have my 2wd '85 for a comparison basis BTW, the synchro is quite a bit heavier in feel, despite power steering. Drop links on sway bars are intact. Very hard for me to find first gear, ultra-low gear was OK. Any thoughts on the differential lock problem $$ wise? Cosmetics: interior, paint, tires are medium grade, maybe good at best. The synchro has 70K miles, cylinder head seals + pushrods appear dry, some coolant traces/crust around the cyl. head nuts however. No oil leaks at engine case. I am concerned most about the transmission/diffs. CV joints seem intact. What else could be wrong with this beast? I was going to negotiate for a coolant + brake/clutch system flush and fill, anything else to wheel and deal with? I am planning on buying on the strength of a 6 month powertrain warranty, but is this adequate insurance/time to find out the bugs. Subframe/lower body undented, so I assume little serious off-roading has been done. No trailer hitch either! Buying this beast will mean putting my '85 panel up for sale, which is a trusted vehicle I've owned since '86, a tough call.

awaiting your replies anxiously, tim s.


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.