Congratulations on the sweet looking camper! I am enjoying
my first Westy, too. A Wolfram Grey Metallic '89, named Boris.
We just returned from a 2200 mile maiden voyage from Denver to
San Diego for a week in the sun. It's truly a joyous moment
when you pull into your driveway after a trouble-free
adventure!

I've had my Westy since last July, and I've battled vacuum
leaks, improper coolant, mushy brakes, lighting the 'fridge
on propane and a host of regular maintenance items. None
was as sobering as the fuel line failure I had 10 days before
we left on our trip. I would suggest that you replace them or
have them replaced unless you know they were changed in the
last 5 years. The stories of burnt busses on the list are
tragic. If there's any doubt, change them out! The lines
connected to the gas tank were original and literally
crumbled in my hands as I removed them.

I've been able to find the answers to all but a very few
questions by searching the Archives at:
http://gerry.vanagon.com/archives/vanagon.html
Searching the Archive can be slow, so I limit most searches
to posts made within the last 6 years. If I want more results,
I search the first 6 years of the list, April '94 through 1999.
Another site I've found useful is www.westfalia.org.

Finally, you can find your paint code and other vehicle option
information on the option data sticker, which I believe was
located under the driver's seat in the auxiliary battery
compartment. Mine is under the dash near the fuse box. Then
interpret the code here: http://www.gti16v.org/vwcolors.htm

Happy trails, stacy!

David McCallum
'89 Westy - "Boris"