TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue May 01, 2012 5:13 am

Considering purchasing a 2000 VW Eurovan with 150,000 miles. Lots of things replaced by owner: Tires, brakes & rotors, front axles. So my concern is engine and transmission but it sounds like its had some TLC in the past.

Wondering about engine and transmission expected :?: life long term?

Tue May 01, 2012 7:03 am

Hi!
as an owner of both a eurovan and a vanagon I can shed some light.
First things first E/V is a great vehicle, very usable in all conditions. I have an 01 w 138k on the clock.
I have put alot into my E/V
Bilstiens
two sets of wheels and tires
lowering springs in the back and cranked down the front torsion bars for about a 1.5" drop all the way round.
I would HIGHLY recommend adding a trans cooler (aftermarket in front of the radiator as opposed to the factory one that is on top of the trans {no ariflow} Change your trans fluid to a high end aftermarket fluid and then plan on doing it every 20,000 miles along with the filter. PM me and I can turn you onto a decent aftermarket fluid.
If the vehicle has not seen consistent oil services with synthetic oil then think about walking away, the double row timing chain on the 12v vr6 is tougher than the single row on mine but still. If the ball joints have not been done plan on doing those as well. The 2000 and older E/V have small brakes on them and will use them up fairly quickly effective but small. There are a few tricks you can do that will help you gain some fuel mileage and with careful driving you could possibly see 24 mpg out of one.

good luck

if its nice I say buy it !!!

Colin

Tue May 01, 2012 7:11 am

Well he wants $9,000 firm price for this 2000 Eurovan. I just emailed and asked about the transmission and timing belt/chain replacement. Understand its a $1500 job to replace one. I am a pretty decent mechanic but not up to an engine rebuild or major job today but did in the past when I was younger. Today I do my own oil changes, spark plugs and belts and etc.

This would be a go on the road camper / van perhaps a trip from Iowa to Alaska and hopefully back!

Tue May 01, 2012 7:34 am

If you get it, wave back at all the crazy people waving at you. They'll be Vanagons and we are all related. :wink: Initiate a few waves yourself 8)

Tue May 01, 2012 8:02 am

join the eurovan update page on yahoo there is a lot of info on it. most of us have probably been thru whatever problems you may or will encounter with it if you buy it.

Is it a camper? $9000 seems a little high for a 12v van. For that money it better be absolute perfection encased in sheetmetal. I bought my 01 MV with 116K on the clock for $6500 there are deals out there if you hunt around

Tue May 01, 2012 9:03 am

1984urq wrote: join the eurovan update page on yahoo there is a lot of info on it. ......

Thanks for that web reference. In my search for a rust free Westy, an 5 spd. 5 cyl. EV is not out of the question. Did not know of that group. Looks like lots of activity and files. Thanks.

Neil.

Tue May 01, 2012 10:17 am

Sounds like you're already onto this, but good info here for future reference:

GoWesty wrote: There are two potential big-ticket repairs that are common with the Eurovan: 1) automatic transmission failure and 2) timing chain failure.
Link (scroll down):
Model Overview: Bus, Vanagon, Eurovan (1968-2003)
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=54

Also:
Model Overview: Late-Model Eurovan Camper (1997-2003)
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1435