Head gasket leaks are responsible for removing almost all the vanagons from
the road,prematurely.I rarely see in my area,and have notseen any for many
years.The people that have them today are not soccer moms,unless they are
also mechanics.

My experience with leaks is that they start slowly and continue like this
for a thousand miles or so. The owner says "Hummmmm", and adds antifreeze
as needed.As the days pass, the wiff of antifreeeze gets more common as the
van is exited at the shopping mall and grocery store."Hummmm thats
strange", they might think.

Soon the occasional drop of antifreeze on the driveway becomes 2 or 3
drops.Not long after this, the drops get more frequent and in the morning
there is now a puddle. The addition of antifreeeze is getting expensive and
stops. Water is used,and the recognition that a  major problem exists is
now evident.

The wiffs get stronger and more frequent. Stop leak is purchaced to save
the day.Suddenly, on the interstate, 25 miles from home, the gasket blows.
The curve of antifreeze loss has increased faster than the owner has been
measuring the loss. The red light flashes and the tow truck is summoned.The
garage says "$800 for one side,but you better do both.We will cut you some
slack here and do ther job for $1500,but no gaurantees".

There is a person in Walkersville Maryland that owns about 80 vanagons.He
also owns a shop. I think I can guess how he got them.I toured the museum
once.Mostley 83.5-85.No diesel or syncro.Few westys.

If you want to buy a vanagon with a wbx,anywhere,take a antifreeze tester
with you  when inspecting. Draw out a sample and test for concentration. If
it is far below 50/50,suspect a head gasket leak.