Unfortunately, a list like the Vanagon list is mainly used by people who
have problems with their Vanagons. You don't see a lot of "geez, my
Vanagon is peachy" chat, so one might make the assumption that the
watercooled Vanagons are problematic.

I wouldn't say that VW's attempts at water-cooling were excellent, but
they are also pretty good for converting an air cooled engine into a
water cooled.

At 144K miles, the 'wasserboxer' in my '84 Vanagon sings along very
nicely. Every five years or so the water pump needs to be replaced. It
probably gets tired pumping all that coolant from the front radiator
all the way back to the engine, then back. Other than that, the engine
seems pretty solid. Good power, smooth response. And heat in the
winter!

Paul Henderson
'84 Vanagon WasserBoxer
Bedminster, NJ, USA