Questions about backup VW Van (LAC!!!)

[John Larson]

You said; "ironically it's the later h2o
> cooled versions that had the most problems. And the
> parts can be very expensive."
Actually, the water pumpers, properly cared for with the right coolant in 
'em, have no problem at all with the heads.  Gotta have the right water 
pump, too.  On the other hand, most reputable VW oriented machine shops 
won't touch the air cooled 2.0 heads, and most better VW specialty shops 
won't rebuild the 2 litre motors, at least with any kind of warranty.  My 
son's 1984 Vanagon has more than 10 years (and it seems like everybody in 
town borrows it!) on the motor I rebuilt for it, and I have several 
customers with similar age and mileage stories.  The trick is to do the job 
right, and to use the proper coolant.  We see occasional bad air flow 
meters, but not nearly at the rate the air cooled ones fail.  As an added 
benefit, water cooled models have no EGR system, one that is necessary to 
the air cooled engines, and which fails often and at an astonishing price to 
replace.  The trannies are better than the bus, the linkage lasts longer, 
the vans ride and drive a lot more like a car. They're less sensitive to 
cross winds, are quieter, and have a LOT more room inside.  The seats are 
better, too.  It costs about $4K retail to do a complete wasserboxer motor, 
more for an air cooled version.  The 2.1L motor suffers from con rod 
failures, the 1.9 doesn't.  Syncros are built by Steyer Daimler Puch, the 
folks who build the Pinzgauer, and we see few driveline problems.  The trick 
is finding the right Vanagon, and caring for it properly.  And, as you said, 
utilizing the support that's out there.  I'm a Tiico dealer, BTW.  John