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Subject:Re: [SPAM] 86 Vanagon - New Owner - A few Questions.
From:Marion Lathem
Date:Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:17:56 -0500

Bob,  As I said the program is very good, but being new to the VW world, I
needed to print the information out, it would not let me print diagrams or
text.  Also being new to VW things, I found I couldn't remember what I
read... and another pitfall, there are no actual pictures, just drawings.

The Transporter book I have shows a blue Vanagon on the front cover...and
was certainly elusive when I was hunting my first manual.  The Haynes number
is 3452  1982 to 1990 ( Up to H registration )  It's the Service and repair
manual.  I noticed it was $28.00 on another site.

If I had of had this book my first experience of dealing with my first VW
engine would have gone much easier, actually totally better. to be exact.
There are pictures everywhere,  it's well explained, and if you don't have a
Bentley, this book would be my next best pick.  The first book I found, was
a 1983 air cooled vanagon Haynes manual.  I was told by Parts Plus and NAPA
the 1985 water boxer did not have a manual, to make do with the 1983 air
cooled since the engines were similar.

As you will find out that advice was totally bogus, it cost me a lot of
grief early on.  In fact my engine I have now, I don't know even yet whats
wrong with it.  I'm buying another 1.9 from a Subie conversion, with all the
electrical wiring and parts.  This winter I will find out where I went wrong
on this engine I have in my 1985 Vanagon GL now.

This list helped me get things straight and sorta realize, I had made a lot
of bad choices and decisions... the entire way..simply because I have worked
on a lot of engines in my past.  Believe me VW is a whole nother world
altogether...you cannot assume or guess...!
Lyle Lathem
1985 Vanagon GL