>Date:    Wed, 17 Mar 2004 10:51:10 -0700
>From:    "Richard A. Jones" <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>
>Subject: Re: air vanagon vs water vanagon
>
>Jonce:
>
>Here are my opinions and experiences with air and
>water Vanagons.  I own an '81--since new--and an
>'87 syncro Westy for the last three years.  I
>have 145,000 on the '81 and I used it for camping
>for a long time.  I built a unit that folded out
>over the rear seat to make a platform for our
>pads and sleeping bags.
>
>Before the '81 I had a '61, a '67 and a '76, none
>of them campers.  I got the '61 in 1964, so I
>have lots of miles and time in VW buses.  I
>camped in or with them all.
>
>I have only once in all these years, buses, and
>trips been stranded and that was when the '81
>lost a nut where the shift linkage goes to the
>transmission.  Some wire and I limped home.
>i have always believed that if you take care
>of you VW, it will take care of you.
>
>That said, I do have moments of paranoia when I
>get way off in Utah or Nevada in my '87.  I
>think I have read the list for too long!  It does
>seem complicated, but in reality it is just an
>upgrade from the '81 system with more sensors.
>Oh, and water.  ;-)
>
>The waterboxer is much smoother, more powerful
>and quieter than the aircooled.  However, an
>aircooled Westy would be a great vehicle, as
>long as you understood its power, or lack.  In
>your country, it would probably not be too
>noticible.  Here we have mountains and high
>altitude!  Heat is an issue, so I would only
>look at an aircooled with a gas heater, like
>my '81, but if you only use it in the summer,
>that isn't important.  Power steering in the
>camper is great.  The '81 doesn't need it; I
>do like the larger steering wheel it has.
>I don't know if an aircooled Westy would be
>hard to turn.
>
>I would definitely recommend a Vanagon over any
>earlier VW bus.  The handling, the comfort driving
>are far superior.  Plus more room in the wider
>body.
>
>The only way the Vanagon stepped back was traction.
>A 2wd Vanagon sucks in the snow or mud.
>
>One difference I have noticed between the aircooled
>and the waterboxers is the paint.  Aircooled seem
>to develop rust acne all over the panels, but they
>don't seem to get seam rust.  The later ones are the
>opposite.  I had my '81 painted (in '97) and it
>looks great:  http://jones.colorado.edu/jones/DV/BW.jpg
>This is at Badwater in Death Valley.  The '87 has
>great paint still after 17 years, but has a couple
>of places of slight seam rust starting.
>
>One note of differences: the first Vanagons ('80s)
>didn't have a fresh air blower.  My '81 has it but the
>'81 wiring diagram doesn't show it, so it was added
>about then.  It is nice to have in hot weather.
>
>If you have any questions, just ask.
>
>                        Richard A. Jones
>                        Boulder, Colorado
>                        '81 Vanagon  Mr Bus
>                        '87 Syncro Westy   El Jefe
>                        ('88 911 Carrera)
>
>
>
Hi all,

Thanks for the comparison between air and water-cooled?

how would the diesel would compare?
Built in 81-82 only, right?
Those are watercooled. Hence, is the heating ok on diesel?

I have been looking for westy for a while. I have not decided yet
between the motorization.
I know diesel are powerless.
How do they work in cold temperature?
I do not intend to use it during winter, but I think it takes with a
decent heater here in Quebec, for those chilly springs and fall mornings.

Can they be plugged ? (do they have a block heater? I suppose an after
market one could be installed. Would a pan heater be recommanded?)

I sometime think of a TDI or TD conversion later.

JP