The Vanagon Rule is this:
It is very common to spend the purchase price of your Vanagon on repairs
within the first 12 months of ownership.
I spent over $2000.00 on my 83 Westy and know of many that spent more than
the purchase price on repairs in the first 12 months. I drove my Westy
another 10 years and 178K miles after that.
If you're new to this Vanagon and not attached to it in an emotional way
........... just part it out and start over with another Vanagon or Westy.
You're right about the $750.00 though.
Don't expect too much if you buy a car for the price of the mag wheels and
tires on it.

Stan Wilder

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Jeggers
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 5:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: newbie needs advice

I just got my hands on an 86 vanagon weekender....i had it for 2 days
before the belt broke and it overheated

now before that happened i noticed some smoke at startup and smoke while
driving when i changed gears...

now i have coolant leaking out of both heads(one more than the other), and
oil in the exhaust...

is it possible that the heads are shot (likely it seems, after reading the
archives for 2 days)

im all ready to do the heads, but does the oil in the exhaust point to
more damage?

btw, i got it for $750 knowing that it could have problems, i just had
hopes of it lasting longer

thanks folks