I
know i'm new and I don't mean to rufle feathers    not all my info may be
right   my experience was the same   except  you should know there was a
recall on the heater core   thats why you got that done  
if you people go to the Limbo web site and follow the links you will
eventually find the vanagon recall list briefly here is a short recall list
'85  side sliding door lock 
'85-91  fuel line leak in engine compartment
'85-'86 fuel filler neck leak 
'86-'91  air conditioning ducts fall from ceiling
'86-87  fuel filter leaks 
86-87  usage of fuel with reid pressure up to 14psi 
causes stalling
87-88  Semperit tires crack 
87-89  cruise control accelerater cable 
87  automatic tranny problem
87   rear seat bracket breaks
87-88-   wrong jack furnished with vehiclle

i got the list from Skip Montanaro   518 372 5583    link
fromwww.bcn.net/~LiMBO/