Tyler,
    Look at the following: overall condition of the Vanagon.
Rust, or body work,  things that work or don't work.  Milage is up there.
Age is against you.  Spending $3000 for and engine is
definately not worth it, unless you plan on  at least 3
more years of hard use, and can safely say it will not
need any more work, in this 3 years. This is not likely.
    Parting it out you will make some good money, but is
a lot of work.  Put parts on E-bay would be best.
    Selling it whole,  is the only other thing to do.
I have a friend who is interested in a van to swap a
motor in to, if you go this route.   We are in PGh.
PA. so we could tow it home.   Let me know
if interested...
                                 Eric

Son Of A Vanagon wrote:

>Hi Everyone- I need some advice,
>
>So I have a 91 Vanagon Carat (Caravelle to be
>specific), 170K miles, heads rebuilt 6K miles ago.
>I've been having coolant issues, but not too many
>lately with shorter driving in cold winter weather.
>The last couple of weeks in central Ohio have been
>warmer weather, up to the 70s.  I had been noticing
>the engine getting too warm (fan kicking on, temp.
>indicator above led)  Last friday in afternoon rush
>hour traffic on the interstate the engine gets too
>hot, overheats actually.  I see a white cloud behind
>me, oil warming buzzer comes flashing on, one minute
>later I am on the side of the road... Glad to not be
>using the fire extinguisher.
>Have the van towed in to a local shop (Motorkars),
>monday morning they tell me that the van overheated to
>the point that the thermostat housing had melted.
>They said that the haed gasket was totally fried and
>pretty much diagnosed the engine as dead.  I had
>checked and topped up fluids five days before the
>incident, and can't figure out what failed without
>blaming it all on the coolant system.
>
>So should I have a rebuilt (BostonBob) engine put in
>(Big $$$), part it out (makes me sad), or Sell it
>as-is to one of you to repair (keeps it on the
>road)??\
>
>I am looking for any thoughts on the topic. I love the
>vehicle, but am buying a new home this month and don't
>have the cash to do the repairs, at least right now
>(maybe I will in the next six months).
>Best to all and thanks-
>Tyler
>
>Columbus OHIO
>
>
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