Date:         Tue, 14 Apr 1998 12:35:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Urs Rothacher <Urs.Rothacher@RSS.ROCKWELL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Urs Rothacher <Urs.Rothacher@RSS.ROCKWELL.COM>
Organization: Rockwell Semiconductor Systems
Subject:      82 engine weak, what's wrong?
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi,
We are looking for a 81-87 Westie.
Yesterday I was testdriving a 82 4spd man gas and it accelerated very
slowly (I have driven Vanagons before but this one was *very* slow).
The owner mentioned that the cylinder pressure is low and this is the
reason for the weakness and that the engine would maybe have to be
rebuilt again. The bus hat 190000miles and 25000? after last (top?)
rebuilt.
I am a car dummie and couldn't find a good explanation for this in any
FAQ.
Q: Can anyone guess what's wrong with the engine?

I also testdrove a 81 3spd automatic gas (130000 miles).
Q: Is there a drawback in having a 3spd automatic transmission?
Q: There is a 10in crack in the windshield (from an impact). Is this a
problem? Will it grow?

Buying a reliable, low hassle Westie has top priority, since we are
planning to travel in it for a couple of months. (If you don't need
yours this summer but want it back by fall, let me know)

Thanks,
Urs Rothacher, San Diego CA USA
urs.rothacher@rss.rockwell.com