Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 14:40:46 -0400
Reply-To: "Pierce, John D" <jdpierce@KPMG.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Pierce, John D" <jdpierce@KPMG.COM>
Subject: Re: HELP: Mixed Feelings about 84 Diesel Vanagon Find
Content-Type: text/plain
I think this guy should pay you to take it.
My 2 cents.
John P.
Plano, TX
85 Westy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Craig Jon Anderson [SMTP:craig@MARATHONTECHNOLOGIES.COM]
> Sent: Friday, August 21, 1998 11:00 AM
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: HELP: Mixed Feelings about 84 Diesel Vanagon Find
>
> I found an 84 diesel Vanagon nearby. That is the good news. The bad news
> is that it was not in very good condition. I was disappointed because the
> ad and the owner lead me to believe that it was in better shape than it
> really was. In particular, I am suspicious that the transmission/clutch
> may have some hidden damage even though the guy said that it was "fairly
> new". The reason that I am suspicious is that he said the same thing
> about the paint job and there was a fair amount of rust.
>
> Here is what I saw. PLEASE.. offer comments, tips, suggestions on how I
> can figure out more about the condition of this baby and whether I should
> spend any more effort. I am not a mechanic, so bear with some of the
> descriptions
>
> 1. Dogs used the interiour for a toilet. It stunk to high heaven. It
> appears that originally it was a 7 passenger or weekender, however all
> bench seat had been removed and what appeared to be some wood had been
> laid down on top of the original floor and then a bench bolted to that
> sideways behind the driver seat. There was carpeting laid down over the
> wood.
>
> 2. Four of the heat vents had tape over them.
>
> 3. It hasn't been started or run in over a year. They guy says that the
> engine was experiencing some "blow by" because of a bad piston or ring.
> He didn't know. There was still plenty of oil in the crankcase.
>
> 4. The air filter appeared relatively clean.
>
> 5. There was NO water/antifreeze in the resevoir. It was dry. It could
> have leaked/blown out or maybe he drained it to prevent freezing.
> Regardless, this bothers me. HOW DO I TELL IF THERE IS A CRACKED BLOCK?
>
> 6. Some sort of "cap" appeared to be missing where I believe the engine
> connects to the transmission. If you look into the engine compartment
> from the hatch, it is towards the back. The hole was about as big around
> a half dollar and I could stick my finger in the hole.
>
> 7. Since the guy wasn't there and his "soon to be ex-wife" didn't have the
> keys, I couldn't start it. I could shift into all the gears with the
> clutch pushed in.
>
> 8. The the engine side of the engine compartment cover seemed REALLY
> sootie/oily.
>
> 9. I was able to release the emergency brake and roll the thing about a
> foot on the flat with just my own shoulder power.
>
> 10. The plastic around steering column was gone.
>
> 11. There is substantial surface rust around the edges and doors with one
> or two through and through spots.
>
> COMMENTS?
>
> Craig
> ###
>
> Craig Jon Anderson
> Strategic Accounts Business Development
> Marathon Technologies Corp.
> Nonstop Windows NT
> 978-266-9999 x145
> 978-266-0023 fax
> craig@marathontechnologies.com
>
>
> http://www.marathontechnologies.com
|