Phil,

First, there aren't any US model 1985 diesel vanagons. They were only sold
here from 81-83. So either the seller has the year wrong, or the van was not
originally a diesel, or it is a non-US model. You can check the year by
looking at the placard usually on the drivers door pillar or by decoding the
windshield VIN at http://www.vanagonparts.com/vin_decoder.html . If the van
was not originally a diesel, chances are the batter will be located under
the passenger seat. Diesels have the battery in the engine compartment.

Re. recommendations/advice... if you are happy driving 50-55 MPH on the
interstate and watching the line of traffic in your rear-view mirror queued
up waiting to get around you, and if you don't mind shifting into 2nd gear
to get up hills a gas vanagon could probably lug over in 4th, the diesel is
a pretty nice vehicle. It does get very good mileage - you might be able to
get 30 or more - but factor in that diesel costs nearly 25% more than gas
and your savings are eroded somewhat.

If you are planning to collect grease to either make your own biodiesel or
put in a grease system so you can run straight vegetable oil (SVO), I would
suggest securing a supply of grease first. Lots of people are doing it now
so finding grease is not as easy as it used to be. Also, it does require
considerable effort to collect and process the oil. And with diesel at
nearly $5/gal, you will be competing with the commercial waste collection
companies. Not trying to talk you out of it, but I hear a lot of people
saying they are going to get a diesel car so they can "burn biodiesel"
without really knowing what it entails - just do your research.

Cheers,
Doug Fitz-Randolph
Freeport, ME