Okay,
I have replaced the coolant in my 85 Vanagon several times and have tried to do it exactly as the Bentley book prescribes. It seems somewhat difficult and can get messy. 

I am about to do this on my 87 Syncro shortly.

Here's the question:  Has anybody found an easier way to do this?  Purging all the air out easily?

I have a couple ideas but do not know if they would work.

Anybody want to discuss this?

By the way, when I first purchased my 85 several years ago, I made the mistake of removing the rear heater, I did clamp the hoses but likely still got some small air in the system and thought the overflow would purge it off. I later blew one of the small hoses behind the crank pulley and lost cooling on the way up to Tahoe with my girl.  I believe the Vanagon is especially sensitive to any air in the cooling system and a bugger to purge.  Very different than my Ford Ranger. 

Thanks!  

Doug