Syncros are money pits.  Still if you need (want) 4wd they are cool.  Have
it checked at a VW shop (near him is fine), they will give it a good going
through.  It is common for the awd to work and not the locker, the lock
actuator goes bad or the vacuum lines.  No biggy, the engine, tranny, VC,
front diff are what will cost you big bucks.  Have it checked out
somewhere--and expect to spend 2-5K in the next year.  Sounds like
he was being at least somewhat honest in what you wrote, he is tired of
spending money on it, which sounds reasonable.  What tells if good
condition, a thick book of receipts.  Just my opinion.

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:49:42 -0600, d spence <dkspence@TELUS.NET> wrote:
>I'm looking at an 87 full westy synchro and would appreciate advice or
>what and how to check it out. One obvious flaw is the front stabilizer
>bar is not attached to the suspension.
>What is unique to the synchro and how does one tell if it's in good
>fair or bad condition. The owner, whom I would describe as less than
>scrupulously honest, says the AWD works fine but there is a problem
>with the lockup. Insights anyone?
>He is not mechanical and "is tired of spending money on it".  Sounds
>like a warning flag to me, what with the stabilizer bar.
>
>It's a 4 speed and has what looks like a factory rebuilt engine
>(stickers). He says it's the second one but it may have close to 100 k
>km on it.
>TIA