Doug,

If I were you, the first thing I would do is to contact busdepot.com and
get aboard the List purchase of the Haynes manual from the UK. It's
about a $20.00 investment.  I have one from the publisher who charged me
about $38.00 before the List purchase was announced. If you want to rush
an order without regard to cost, see Haynes.com

It explains in pictures the coolant pump replacement, for example, for
both early and late models.  I presume yours is an early model, built
before July 1985, as is my 84 Westy. If birthday is later than foregoing
date, the job is more simple than for the early models.  I'd see no
problem with the guaranteed pump, if you have the ability and the rather
simple tools to replace the pump.  Haynes rates the procedure as a
3-wrench, degree of difficulty, job, "fairly difficult, suitable for
competent DIYer."

I'm a mature shade tree mechanic, do-it-yourselfer, so I say it is a
rather simple job IF YOU FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES, replace all of the seals
and accept the recommendation to evaluate the stub hose, and if you
determine that there is no need to remove one of the coolant
distribution pipes if you determine if it would block removal of the
pump.

Usual disclaimers...

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA

CWD986 wrote:

> Hey, Folks:  I'm new to the list, so have a bunch of questions.  I'm
> in the
> process of purchasing a '85 Vanagon with 129K on the odo from the
> original
> owner, who bought it in Germany while stationed there and had it
> shipped
> stateside when he got out.  Seems to be in good shape, other than
> needing
> tires and a water pump.  My questions: 1) Is the fact that this was a
> van
> built for the German market going to make it a hassle to buy parts
> here? (2)
> What should the water pump replacement cost?  Local VW guru wants $240
> parts
> and labor, VW dlr. wants $405 (not!), and a "foreign car" mech says
> he'll
> install it for $175 if I'l get the pump.  Sounds like the latter wins,
>
> prompting question (3) CarQuest will sell me a life-time warrantied
> pump for
> $58...any reason NOT to go for it?  (4), regarding tires:
> what does 185R14 convert to so as not to mess up the speedometer?  70
> series?
> Do I need "reinforced" tires?  My '96 Nissan Quest weighs 4K pounds
> and runs
> on regular old 205/75/15's. Finally, where do I get mail-order parts?
> Has
> anyone had any luck with J.C. Whitney?  Sorry this is so long.  Any
> input
> appreciated.
> Doug Dewitt
> Hendersonville, NC
> "Newby"