Date:         Thu, 25 Jun 1998 11:26:46 -0300
Reply-To:     Tim Smith <smitht@UNB.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Smith <smitht@UNB.CA>
Subject:      Buying a Vanagon (Kinda Long)
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi,

Sounds like a good van, brake job is minor, should do all 4 corners as
preventative maintenance anyhow, and flush the fluid (don't forget to bleed
the clutch system clean)  Change trans fluid, repack CVs also. Alternator
has bad regulator by sound of it, should put out 13.6V. Instead of the $20
inspection fee just get a new regulator installed.

Don't know why 'Tilson'  says you need heads before you leave for SA if they
are dry already???  If worried give it a BarsLeak treatment as prevention,
or wait for first drips, then do. Tires yes, they should be at least
6ply/LT/C/D (8ply) rated. Shocks? are they bad? take one spare front and
rear for the trip, change as needed.

Should also have a spare set of ball joints, 2CVs, and disc pads. Many other
spares too, like belts, CV boot covers, spare FI injector (maybe a CPU) yada
yada...  A copy of the 'suggested spares' from the VAG 'Difficult Driving
Conditions' manual would help you, Ron/Coyote can you just type in those few
pages and post to South Amer. site?

bye, Tim
'87 Syncro Westy
'85 CrewCab