I just got a call yesterday from a guy that had his 84 Westy flooded out
by Hurricane Sandy last fall.  He is just now getting around to looking
at the Vanagon to see if it could be brought back to life. However, from
what I have seen from other customer's vans, unless you got it cleaned
up, drained, and looked at within a month of the storm, you are beat.
That salt water does a number of everything, especially when it is
sitting in the bottom of your engine and transmission for months and
months.  Even after you drain everything and get the vehicle back on the
road, I have to question how long before it starts rusting at every seam
and panel because that salt got up into every little nook and cranny of
the body.  It reminds me of folks that have been exposed to lethal doses
of radiation.  They can walk and talk and seem normal for a time but
they are already dead and just don't know it yet.  I fear that is the
fate of most of these Sandy victims.

As Vanagon buyers, please be aware that people are moving these vehicles
across the country to try to sell them on the west coast without
revealing their history.  I would say a carfax is more important than
ever when buying a used Vanagon or camper.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242