The 2.5's had head gasket problems until 2003.  The 2000-2003 are a
little different engine than 97-99 but they had problems also, but I
think they leaked externally instead of internally.  BTW my motor went
124K miles before needing new head gaskets.   

Pascal 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Mike Collum
Sent: April 16, 2007 12:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: EB2007 Vanaru Test Drive

It's my understanding that the early 2.5s are the ones that had the
headgasket problems and that putting the newer type gaskets on them
cures it.  The gaskets were redesigned and seem to be ok now.

I have no first hand knowledge, though.

It's very likely that I'll try a Subaru transplant in one of my Vanagons
one of these days.

Mike