Steve,
A rust-free van in the North East (or should I say North! to include Washington State) is to be cherished.
If you have not done it yet, go to the local Zeibart rust proofer/under-coaters and get a layer of tar sprayed on. Get it undercoated. It cost about $200 and well worth the peace of mind that you have done this much to protect the underneath from that nasty salt.
If you do drive in salted area plan to give your van a good under wash once a week. I do it on Saturday monings before any other activity, here in Rochester New York.
Next thing I would do is check all the hoses for leaks/seaps of coolant or gasoline. The hoses are probably 13 years old and starting to wear. A fuel leak right over the exhaust pipes is not my way to keep warm in a van.
Good luck and don't hit your head as you climb aboard our strange long trip in a Van.
Joel
89 Syncro Westy!

Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 13:14:43 -0500
From: Steve Mozurkewich
Subject: I got it! 89 Vanagon Westy

You might remember me asking for advice on buying this 89 Westy. I
bought it. And I like it. I really really like it. Thanks to everyone
for your help. It's super clean and no rust (rare in the Detroit Metro
Area). Now for my next set of questions. What should I do next? In
respects to taking care of the Van. This is my first Camper Van, so I'm
kind of green at this. But I do own a 98 GTI VR6 that work on quite
regularly. Mostly upgrading go fast parts. Any help would be nice. And I
do have maintance records since 92.

Steve

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