The engine is fine, the gasket must have been replaced though.  I guess.  The engine can go for an othe hundred, I think, if it was in good hands, even longer.
Zoltan
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jermide 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:37 PM
  Subject: purchase of an 85 GL

  Advise, please.

  I am close to buying an 85 GL. It is in good to very good condition. No rust. No damage. No smoke. No electriquirks. NO LEAKS! Runs strong and smooth. 75mph on the highway. However, the original engine has 187,000 miles to date. The seller says it has not been rebuilt or replaced. The price is $1700.

  He was a certified VW master tech for 15 years. He has owned the van for 11 years. Garaged and maintained. He seems to have a lot of confidence in it.

  What is a good guess at the percentage of original engines lasting this long in this condition? Should I be very worried, or just a little?

  Thanks,
  Jeremy

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