My first Vanagon was an 85 GL - went 205,000 on the original 1.9L,
Nothing wrong with it particularly when I sold it - only burning a
little oil.

My second Vanagon is an 88 GL. It's my daily driver and has 156,000 on
it. Current engine has 60,000 on it. In the life of this vehicle - that
149,000 miles - there have been three engines installed.... 1)the
original engine, 2) a "remanufactured in Canada" rebuild by the PO
sometime before 96,000 miles, and 3) at 96,000 miles I put in an engine
because the Canadian rebuild blew at that 96,000 mile mark - 10,000
miles after I bought it off a dealer lot. After my new engine, a tranny
rebuild, and some other work near the beginning, this van has given me
very reliable performance ever since, and I have owned it since 1998.

My third and concurrent van is also a 1988 GL - blue - that I bought
recently. Mileage around 160,000. Engine and tranny both need
rebuilding, but the body is in excellent condition, and the vehicle
warrants restoring.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Chelsea, AL
> Not to worry,  I have 197,000K on my '88 and it is still running fine.
> The only major service was a clutch replacement and having the head gaskets replaced about 100K ago.
>
> Keep the normal maintenece up, change the oil frequently (and the radiator fluid if you have a waterboxer) and it will last a long time.
>
> Makes me wonder, though - who can claim the most mileage?
>
>
> Todd
>
>
>