Always assume the worst in regards to the motor and bid/offer
accordingly..If it is a perfect van and they want $5 k offer $3 if you
really like it.  If you want more fuel for the fire see if they will let you
do a compression test.That will tell you something about the motor and if
they will let you take it to a shop there is a tool that can be put on the
coolant reservoir that has a dye in it.......the dye will change colors if
exhaust gases are present in the coolant.......thus detecting head gasket
leaks.

Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
75 Campmobile "for sale'
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doktor Tim" <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 3:02 PM
Subject: Re: 2 questions...(still looking for a westy)

> At 11:08 AM 08/23/2002, you wrote:
> >  The main thing that I have heard about the water cooled is the problem
> > with the head gasket leak.
>
> 99% of the time these leaks are founded in lack of adequate maintenance.
If
> you're willing to pay for the maintenance, you won't have this problem if
> you start with a clean, uncontaminated system. However, if buying a used
> Wasserboxer, don't buy one that doesn't come with documentation the PROVES
> yearly cooling system service showing 2 gallons, full system service and
no
> evidence of corrosion. That will probably be 1% of the one's you will see
> for sale.
>
> >My next question is another conversion question.  But there is a 1983
> >westy that was a diesel and has been converted to a VW Golf gasoline
> >engine. it has about 60k on the golf engine. Any advice on whether or not
> >this might be a good buy?
>
> Stay away from conversions unless you have a skilled mechanic who loves
the
> idea and wants to work with you. That also will be very difficult to find
> as any really skilled and knowledgeable VW mechanic will be like me and
> advise against such hybrids.
>