1980 Westy

arthurnugen · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: 1980 Westy

Hey All,

New to this particular forum, so bear with me. Sister in law calls me, says there is a 1980 Westy down the street from her house she wants to buy. Now, I know ZIP about these things.

Here is what I know: Orange, pop top, no visible rust, 130K mi, $3800. Is that nuts? What do I tell her to look for, besides oil leaks? (NO pictures, sorry.) Thanks all,

Arthur
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weinerwagen · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject:

Engine

quiz the owner on the motor
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arthurnugen · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject:

Good point, I guess when my sister in law talked to the guy, he said it ran strong and had some recent engine work, but other than that. . . What do you think about the price?
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montemerrick · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:45 pm Post subject:

take a look at seattle craigs list - or even the samba - i think you'll be shocked at the prices the newer (86-91) vanagon westies get - but if this one is in good shape - like all of its innards intact and the engine and trans etc are good the price is probably not too far from reasonable - looked at a diesel westy in victoria bc last fall - 3500 and the trans was dead Shocked

didn't buy it

arthurnugen · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

So my sister had it checked by a mechanic and he said it was just about ready to throw a rod. Bad alternator, too. So, she is not going to get it.

I have also researched and have discovered that the '80 motor has had LOTS of problems.
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wolfej1 · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject:

How would a mechanic know if it is getting ready to throw a rod? Not being sarcastic, just curious Wink

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1982 Westy
2004 KDX200
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650
1979 Yamaha DT 175
1995 Toyota 4Runner

arthurnugen · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:19 am Post subject:

Yeah, that's what I thought too, but apparently he had a stethoscope and could hear by the sound it was making that it was doomed.
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mightyart · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:30 am Post subject:

Could have just been a lifter with air in it.
Rod throwing is not a common problem with these, valve problems on the other hand can be common on a neglected aircooled Vanagon.
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arthurnugen · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:32 am Post subject:

Could have been, but my sister in law knows nothing about VW mechanicals and lives 300 miles away so I cannnot help her work on it, so I told her to pass.
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btlbugtyp1 · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

One other thing about many many mechanics and that you have to be careful of is that .....1 they have never seen an aircooled vw engine ..2 are too old to remember or too young to have worked on one ....and 3 overcharge for the most basic services on them as they act like its something hard or special to do


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