HEllo,

I am a four month VANAGON owner and I have a few questions.

1)I have an 84 KOMBI camper conversion (nicely done) with 110K
original MILES. I am aware that the head gaskets will eventually fail
sometime in the nearish future. I have put on 10K MILES with not drop
in coolant level. What I want to know is:
a) what are the first signs of leakage
b) how much time after the first signs until van is not driveable
c) If heads are $400 and gaskets etc are $100 why does everyone make it
out to be such an expensive troublesome repair. I feel I may be missing
something important.

2) I can't find mileage specifications anywhere for my 1.9 wasserboxer.
Using 1gal = 3.78Liters my mileage appears to be around 18-19mpg on the
highway @65-70mph. I feel this may be slightly low but then again I really
have no idea. My compression is 144psi across the board and passes the
full power emissions test with flying colours. But it fails the idle
emmisions test
because it idles slightly rich. Any tune up tips or am I worrying about
nothing?

3) I am replacing my exhaust manifolds this week. Any tips on removing the
oxygen sensor and manifold bolts. I have broken enough bolts to not want
to break any more. Yeah I should take it some where but there is something
to be said about doing your own work. Like when I spent four straight days
swaping a motor in the snow with almost no tools. It was hell but for some
reason I'd do it again???? At least now I have tools......and a car port.

Thanks for your advice,

Andy Swingler
Grad Student
Dept. Electrical Eng. UBC
VAncouver
'84 KOMBI

ps, In our wet climate my rubber front floor and rear hardwood floor rule
at keeping the humidity down. I will never have a wet carpeted mold
machine van again.