Date:         Sun, 2 May 1999 10:16:33 -0700
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      About to buy an 84 Westie - I have questions!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Volks,
In my hunt for another Vanagon I stumbled across an 84 Westie for '$4000
obo'.  We took it for a test drive yesterday, it is a little rough around
the edges but the person seems honest enough about the problems with it and
the reasons for selling are sincere.

The problems include; some seam rust and a 2" spot of rust beneath the
flue, purple interior (yep!), noise fuel pump, starter that doesn't always
want to grab, torn CV boot (no clicking), broken and welded exhaust
manifold (will replace engine), one stove burner has a 'hot spot' due to a
broken center piece, refridgerator doesn't work on propane, transmission
make a funny noise.

Of these problems I can fix or live with most of them.  The ones that
bother me are the noisy transmission and the fridge.  The transmission
shifts fine and doesn't pop out of gear but it makes the same winey noise
as reverse does in 1st and 2nd.  Perhaps it makes this noise in 3rd and 4th
but road noise takes over from there.  According to the owner it has done
that ever since she owned it (2.5 years).  Underneath the van there is a
tiney bit of transmission oil on the bellhousing.  Looks like the
transmission should be replaced.  How hard is it to trouble shoot the
fridge?  How available are shove parts?  Anyone have experince in painting
the cabinets?

The rest of the problems are 'simple' mechanical issues that I can easily
deal with.

Good points on the van (yes there are some!); good tires, good canvas, good
price, clean interior, Pioneer CD player, bike rack and the wife likes it!


--   David Marshall - Vanagon List Admin - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
--    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 87 Audi 5KSQ, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
--  88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab, WANTED: VW / Bombardier Iltis  --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --