TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Nov 30, 2003 1:32 pm

im looking to get a vanagon...not sure what year

guess it depends on what i run across and what money i have available

question is, if i get a water cooled one, and the heads go...about how much am i looking at in repairs....i know nobody can gice me an exact number...but im just looking at maybe a range

also what are other common problems with the vanagons

ive only ever had bay windows

oh and a few beetles, and a ghia....but for some reason im digging the vanagons lately...esp. the westys....

thanks folks
jacob

Sun Nov 30, 2003 1:54 pm

Vanagon.com: Learn it, love it, live it.

To get you started:

http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/

and

http://www.vanagon.com/problems/

I am also a bay aficianado about to add a Vanagon to the fleet. Funny how they grow on you....

Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:09 pm

man, they do grow on you

i could buy a bay...but i think im gonna go van for a while......something new to me

edit to add....thanks for the links

Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:12 pm

The links that Bob D gave are probably the best resources on the web. You can expect a head job to be in the neighborhood of a grand if you do the work yourself and you have to buy new heads. After much reading, I have concluded that head problems are partially due to design, but seems that preventative maintenance is the biggest factor in reliability. It is essential to use the correct coolant and to change it regularly. I would look for a vanagon that has reasonable miles and has been maintained according to factory service schedule or better. They are hard to find and you will pay more for them initially, but I think you will come out ahead in the long run. I can't stress enough about the importance of a good manual also. Get one of these:
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=VV91&subject=20
and your life will be a lot better. Even though vanagons have issues ( but then what vehicle doesn't?), I have found it to be the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. Good luck, and let us know what you find. :D

Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:19 pm

ah, i had the bently for all of my past vws....great resource material

im in the begining stages of looking, you know, gathering funds

hopefully i can start really looking soon, i cant wait to have another camper...i miss my 76 very much....fwew what a beater that bus was...
never left me stranded though...always made it home

Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:36 pm

I prefer my '81 Westy air-cooled Vanagon over the water-cooled '87 Syncro I HAD. The '81 has been very reliable, the Syncro always had starter problems and I limped it along for a few years and never did deal with the minor coolant drips. I never really wanted to spend the $1000-3000 (head job-rebuilt motor) because the '87 was just not that reliable.

I've got a nice 2.0L with a Porsche 914 cam in the '81 that Boston Bob built and I've driven that thing all over the place. It's never left me stranded and is my long-distance cruiser. There are no friggin' water pipes, radiator, coolant pump, digicrap fuel injection, etc. to deal with on the '81. About the only things I've had to deal with on the '81 are ignition points and the head temp. sensor. It's a keeper, but I doubt if I will ever want another water-cooled Vanagon. Of course I don't have to drive the '81 in the winter either, although it does have a working belly pan gas heater.

-Stanagon
LiMBO prez.

Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:52 pm

Vanagons are a nice upgrade on the VW van scene, I've had the 1st 3 generations, splittys, bay window & Vanagons, although I still have a few splittys, the Vanagons are my nice cruisers at this time. I prefer a '86 or newer Vanagon, 2.1 engine, good heat, gotta take care of them, but well worth the $$. as far as ac vs. wc. , to each his own .
We have a sweet Red '91 Vanagon wolfsbrg./ Carat that we've done two cross country trips in with out any real problems, last year we bought a nice '86 crewcab............. love it!! :lol:

Thu Dec 11, 2003 10:59 am

Jeggers, I've got an '85 Westy and dig the bejesus out of it. I've driven buses as well and there's an undeniable charm there, but the Vanagon is, for my money, a better vehicle. The driver's position is the best I've ever witnessed (clear fields of vision, comfortable seat with everything within reach) in any vehicle. The 1.9l doesn't lose much from the 2.1l for my money, and both have their own problems.

The best advice I'd offer anyone on these is that these vans aren't like modern American cars where you open the hood and don't recognize anything. These vehicles are made to be maintained by the owner. The upside is you can do a lot of expensive work yourself in your driveway (we just replaced a leaky clutch master cylinder for $50 and 1.5 hrs. of driveway work, for instance, including a full hydraulic system bleed). If you're able to provide basic maintenance (oil every 3000, coolant every year, thorough checks once a month or so on a daily driver) you'll be fine.

I like my '85, and wouldn't trade the ability to go into the SW in the Summer for any air-cooled van no matter how schweet it is. Don't limit yourself. When you're ready to buy, start looking and buy the best deal, from the best seller, at the best price. You're in for a wonderful time.