All I can say is I've driven Vanagons since my dad bought a new one in 1986
and it just takes longer to warm up.  I often turn the rear heater fan on
first.  I think it was Jim said it takes about 9 miles and he is right; on a
commute morning it is about 10 miles from my house to the other side of town
and by then I'm roasting and have to turn everything down.  This true of my
(now my son's) 87 Wolfsburg bought new and and my 87 syncro (3d owner).  We
live in California (Central Valley/Bay Area) so unlike Mark in AK, it is not
much of an issue; I only get concerned now when I take my mom or
mother-in-law someplace because they are elderly and get/stay cold easily.

BTW, I replaced my rear heater core last year and now I smell a little
coolant again when I turn it on; I wonder if there's a leak again?  Haven't
been home before dark so I haven't been able to look around.  I plan on
taking a look this weekend.

Donna, 87 Syncro

On Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 1:49 PM, Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net> wrote:

> You just send her up here to drive my Syncro on a cold(subzero) morning,
> she will appreciate your van much more afterward.