In stock form the US vanagon Diesels were only 48 horsepower. Power to
weight and frontal surface area this is worse than the 67 and earlier buses.
When the vehicles were built the national was 55 mph. These days you really
need to be able to do 65-70 to travel comfortably on the interstates. Even
then you can get pushed around. When pushed to the limits these engines do
blow head gaskets and crack heads. The low mileage can be a warning sign.
Why wasn't it used? When a vehicle like this is put to regular use age
instead of mileage will become a problem. A lot of the rubber, plastic, and
hydraulic parts will fail. Unless you really want this vehicle and/or plan
on upgrading it I would keep looking.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Caron
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 11:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Diesel good idea?

I'm looking at a add for a 85 diesel camper in Organ.  says it is clean with
50,000 miles.  I've read these motors are way under powered.  I could live
with that but I don't want to live with more reliability issues then the gas
engine.  Can someone let me know if these motors tend to last? I realize
that because I have others drive for me this slow car would result in
endless ribbing! "Eric, do you think you could have your guide dog pull us
up the hill?"  Sigh, just like the old air cooled days!

Eric Caron
seriously searching