both early and late models have long coolant line failures.  i prefer the
early vans my self but that is because i am a minimalist and i don't have
a use for ac or power steering.

jonathan

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006, Ian Cooley wrote:

> So, I find myself in a bit of a pickle.  I'm currently looking at what
> appears to be two veery well maintained vanagons, one '84 and the other an
> '87.  By going for the '84, I would be saving myself about $2000.  The only
> thing staying my hand, however, is an impression I've been given of the
> earlier models.
>
>> From what I have been told, these vans (the '81-'85, I believe...those w/ a
> 1.9L?) are consistently plagued by problems with the lines running coolant
> or water from the radiator in the front to the engine in back.  These lines,
> if I understand it correctly, are prone to cracks and leaks.  On the other
> hand, a friend assures me this problem is easily solved by simply protecting
> these lines...i.e., insulating them in foam or sheathing them in metal,
> etc.  If anybody has any information concerning this problem specifically,
> or any other advantage of the later models over the earlier for that matter
> (or, conversely, shortcomings of the earlier over the later), please feel
> free to pmail me at ianrcooley@gmail.com .  This car has to make it as many
> as 30,000 miles, so such issues are of grave concern to me and any help is
> greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much!
>
> --
> Scientists warn that traveling through space-time by means of a cosmic
> wormhole may be extremely dangerous.
>
>
>