john:

sounds like the battery. if you don't have test equipment, a quick and
dirty method is to give yourself a jump and see if engine cranks normally -
not necessarily, but if so, battery is more than likely the culprit, and a
whole lot easier to replace than starter. also, slow cranking with a weak
battery is hard on the starter.

dan

On Thu, 3 Jun 2004 11:41:26 -0400, John Wallace <jwallace@MSAD43.ORG>
wrote:

>I just picked up an 88 Vanagon Wolfsburg  2 wd with 117K. It is a one
>owner van. Seems to run OK. But i do have some questions.
>
>1. The starter turns the engine over slowly at first then cranks fast and
>it starts ok when the engine is cool. But when I drive it a distance on
>the turnpike and she warms up, she will barely turn over and sometime it
>won't.  Is this common on these as I am not familiar with them but love
>the rig and it goes down the pike real smooth and gets 20mpg on the
>highway. How would I check to see if it's the starter or the battery?
>
>If it is the starter, where can I purchase a Repair manual...it appears
>Haynes does not make one for the 85-91 Vanagon.
>
>2. It also has some blow by oil that will spot the rear bumper/hatch if I
>take it on the pike for an hour or two 70mph drive....where might I look
>for oil leaks?
>
>3. It has some rust through in the front foot wells...is this common? any
>other hidden areas I should look for? Where could I get body parts and
>correctly matched paint?
>
>Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
>John Wallace
>Rumford, ME