Can't beat the Bentley Manual if you are mechanically inclined (it is
primarily a reference book and not a "how-to" book).  If you are a
mechanical novice, then you should *also* get a Haynes manual.  Both are
available from The Bus Depot, and I think Ken has the Bentley at Vanagain.
(There's probably other vendors on the list as well)

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sonia L Johnson" <dscrkjohns@juno.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 1:34 PM
Subject: Uh-Oh -- engine trouble?

> Hello Vanagon experts!
>
> I just bought an '87 Vanagon a couple of months ago, this is my first VW,
> so I don't know much about them.  I have a rattling noise coming from the
> rear left of the engine.  When I first heard it I thought it was from the
> exhaust, so went for my drive (about 15 miles).  The rattle disappeared
> once I started driving.  Coming home, it got very sluggish. My DH and
> friend tested compression, which seems to be fine on all four cylinders,
> but it loses power at higher rpms.  Also, it seems like the fan is not
> working, so probably overheated.
>
> Can't afford to take it in right now, so I'll start taking it apart
> myself.  Any suggestions?  What's a good repair manual to get?
>
> Thanks,
> Sonia