The dependability and worthiness of your new Westy purchase is mostly
dependant on the maintenance or lack of maintenance.
As a general rule Westy go up for sale when they're wrought with problems
that are financially burying the owner or the owner has moved on to other
vehicles for their camping needs.
From the looks of your Westy it was well cared for and will probably give
you good service.
The question for most Westy owners, both air cooled and water cooled is
whether to jump right in and start replacing parts as a routine preventive
maintenance program or just drive it like Detroit Iron and fix things as
they break.
There are some things you should address immediately:
#1) Replace all the fuel lines in the engine bay.
#2) Replace the fuel filter.
#3) Replace the oil filter with the proper Mann or Mahle filter and change
the oil to get rid of any Infomercial Oil additives that the PO may have
loaded in to get the engine to build oil pressure.
#4) If the lifters are making noise you can run MMO in the engine and as a
preventive maintenance routine you can run some injector Cleaner or MMO
through with your next tank of gas.
Keep your initial road trips down to a few hundred miles until you have more
confidence in your Westy.
Listen to list members on driving instructions. There are many situations
that require you to just back off and be patient when climbing hills,
fighting head winds and crosswinds. Remember that your Westy weighs 5000
pounds and only had about 2000cc and about 90 Horsepower. It'll get you
there but It'll be a slower safer trip than your fellow motorist in 300 HP
SUVs.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Thacker" <87westy@THACKER.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:55 AM
Subject: Did I buy the Right Vehicle? Am I hearing all the bad.

I have wanted one of these van's for years and looked around for 2 months to
get one in good condition in my price range (87westy) I would love to take
this thing across country but now after reading this list I am unsure if it
will make it without me crossing my fingers the whole time. Am I hearing the
worst of the worst? I am reading a lot of problems with these van's now and
I am nervous I don't know if I can take this thing out of the city or trust
it on a long trip. Engines blowing, CV Joints, Bearings, Hoses Popping etc.
Can people please provide me some positive stories of trouble free ownership
and trips with regular maintenance? Am I hearing all the bad news only?
Thank you your comments are welcome.

./athacker

1987 Westfalia
http://www.thacker.ca/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=1987-Westfalia

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