Howdy.
I just bought an '82 diesel vanagon.  This is my first diesel.  It is
getting chilly here in PA and I am looking for advice/tips for running
this van in the winter.  I bought this van to hold me over until my
syncro is done which is currently living in sunny south CA.
Here's what I got:
It has a new head, new starter, new alternator, new master cylinder, new
brakes, new timing belt and some fairly new el-cheapo brand tires.
The dash cluster is not from a diesel so there is no glow plug
indicator.  The original cluster is with the van but apparently the
lights were not working.  I noticed that the lens in front of the glow
plug light looked a bit melted.  Is that common?
The front heater blower is busted but she had a good used one (actually
the whole front heater assembly, I think) that she threw in.
Here are some questions:
What brand/weight oil should I be using?  Is synthetic OK?
I will put the MT90 in the trans.  This is good, no?
What type of fuel additives should I consider?
Does the diesel require the same special coolant as the aluminum-headed
WBX engine?

The PO is a VW enthusiast and took care of this van the best she could.
This is her third diesel.  She even changed the oil for me after we did
the deal but before I picked it up.  All-in-all, I think that it is a
decent van for the money and I am looking forward to the diesel
experience.  I suspect that my daily-driven Thing is looking forward to
the rest it will get this winter as well.

Thanks a bunch,
Mike Pidcoe