Hello all,

Yesterday I became what most of the people on this list are, that is, a
proud owner of a VW Vanagon.  It's a red '87 with something over 120K on
it.  I paid $2500.

It's in pretty excellant condition - barely any rust on it and it's
clear that someone really took good care of it for the better part of
its existence.  I'd like to keep it in as good shape as possible but am
sadly completely ignorant of automotive mechanics, so if any of you have
any advice on how to best care for my new baby, I am eager to learn.

I had a VW expert take a good look before I wrote the check.  He found a
number of problems including the famous headgasket leak, warped rotors
on the front brakes, handbrake out of adjustment, need for alignment, a
hole in the exhaust pipe flange, and a leak in the A/C side hose.
Nonetheless, he said it was remarkably well preserved, had a number of
very new parts in it, and thought is was worth the price.  So, I guess
I'm going to have to sink some money into it, but I feel good about it.

I think I'm going to start with the brakes and alignment and wait a
while on the heads until it really needs to be done.  He said that so
long as I keep the coolant level up there will be no damage done to the
engine.  The guy who I bought it from reccommended using Stopleak, but I
was told that that was a bad idea and that it would just gum up the
engine.

Also, since I live in upstate New York, I need to get snow tires put on
- any reccommendations?  The guy who inspected the vehicle reccommended
185 R14 - reinforced sidewalls.  I gather these are not standard tire
sizes - any ideas on the best place to get them?  Also, any advice on
coping with snow, ice, and especially salt?  I don't have a garage and
I'd like to keep this body free of rust for as long as possible.

Anyway - sorry for the long message.

Thanks

Antony Widoff
Hudson NY

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