-----Original Message-----
From: James Young <topolino@sprintmail.com>
To: westenburg@centuryinter.net <westenburg@centuryinter.net>
Date: Tuesday, March 03, 1998 12:59
Subject: Wanabus seeks your advice and experience.

>Hello, I am a recent subscriber to the Vanagon list, and noticed a post
>of yours a few days ago. Mention of your 82 Diesel 9 pass. piqued my
>curiosity- and the fact you are an original owner, with real mileage.
>I'm interested in your experience with the bus.
>     I am seriously considering an 82/83 primarily to carry loads in
>the 400-1200 lb range. Granted, the performance is a nonissue, until
>I can budget a TD.
Re: Performance: Top speed is 65 mph but if you want your engine to last
it's better to keep it below 60. I cruise around 55-57. Fuel economy in the
city is around 30; on the road it drops to 28 which shows that the engine
likes lower speeds better.
> What's your experience with suspension, brakes &
>driveline- longevity, durability etc.?
I've replaced the shocks twice. Rear brake shoes and cylinders once; not
because they were worn out but because they were old and I didn't want them
to fail. Disc brake pads have been replaced a few times, the rotors and
calipers are original. I replace the pads well before they need it. Master
cylinder has been replaced once. Clutch master and slave both have been
replaced twice. I wish it had a clutch cable like my '72 camper did. I never
had to replace that. Just kept it lubed.
>I never knew a 9 pass. existed,
>and this gives me hope in the capacity dept.
>     How long have your stock engines lasted? Or are you gonna wow me
>with "It's original"?
I'm on my second engine. I don't think it will last as long as the
original. Injector pump has been replaced once, and three of the injectors
are original. Glow plugs have been replaced once. I think I ruined them jump
starting it once. If you get a diesel, it's better to tow start it than to
jump start it. If you turn on the glow plugs with the donor car running and
putting out 14-15 Volts into glow plugs that are designed for 12 Volts;it's
like putting 150 volts into a 120 V light bulb. Quite likely that they will
say "too much".
> How about the transaxle?
Transaxle is original. Clutch was replaced with the engine, but it didn't
need to be. I figured it was a good idea to save future labor costs.
>BTW, one of the archives
>says 5 speed was an option on US diesels, have you ever seen one?
Only seen 4 speed.  Not sure the engine would have enough power to make a
5th gear useable.
>     Thanks for your time & input; I'm the sort that wants to buy
>carefully, maintain fanatically because it feels good to fix/clean/etc.
>I hope you don't try to sell me on a waterboxer, I had a 79 Rabbit
>diesel and got spoiled by the economy, and I marveled at the diesel
>Westy my sister used to have. I don't know if I could marvel at
>heads, hoses, ECUs from hell, yahdah.
The diesel Vanagon is a great vehicle for the patient driver! One other
thing; I replaced the first speedometer at 135,000 due to a common problem
with VDO speedometers, a little split gear. The second one now has over
136,000 on it. I'd say the vehicle has definitely given me my money's worth.
>    Thanks again,
>James Young
>NYC
>topolino@sprintmail.com
>