Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 09:03:43 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject: Re: 1988 westy for sale- details of problems-??
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Charles Roberts wrote:
>
> 1988 Westy for sale 134,000miles-called owner asking him about usually
> problems with buses.
> Here what I got out of him.
> -3rd owner some records not all. :-(
Take it to a shop that knows Vanagons for a "buyer's inspection" for
about $100 or less.
> -gray new paint said the paint was faded and PO painted? My 85 paint is like
> new, does the gray really fade that fast?
Poor quality paint used on respray. Possibly could compound to good
looking finish, but it won't last. May need to be repainted.
> -One head had been replaced and most of the hoses, sound like someone ran it
> hot. He said it got hot with him and he found out it was the radiator cap.
> (???) He said the heads where not leaking.
The original head probably will be leaking soon. ($800)
> -No other major part replaced. Maybe time for an airbox, power steering unit,
> tranny the usual stuff at that mileage.--Maybe..
Tranny due for rebuild soon ($1000), PS pumps are $75 at junk yards, if
you mean AFM they should last a long time, $150 at junk yards.
> He is asking $9,800.oo for the bus I have not looked at but the over heating
> history kind of makes me leery.
High without records or major recent work. Offer $8000 or less, based
on inspection and deducts for needed work.
> Questions:
> Do all the buses up to 91 all have problems with head leaking-someone told me
> that at a given year VW change the material in the heads???
Unfortunately, yes.
Not certain that
> is true but my 85 has new heads some years back and I have not had any
> problems-but I keep the blue stuff changed.
That is the key to longevity.
> Any advice or comments on this westy ----its in San Diego area.
If the condition of everything else is good, and it should be rust free
if it is from San Diego, it should be worth serious consideration.
> Also someone posted that with the S/N you can find the service records of
> buses that where worked on by the dealers--anyone know how to do this (i.e.,
> web site, etc.)
Don't know about this, but you should be able to get the title transfer
history and the original selling dealer (or dealers, if it was ever sold
by a dealer as a used vehicle) from the state. You could then check
with them for service history. I think a thorough professional
inspection is more useful however than doing all this research.
> Charles
--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208
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