Could it be that the 83.5, 84, 85 were the first production years for the
>NEW water-cooled Vanagons/Westies and thus possibly plagued, more than
>most other vanagon models, with engineering "mistakes" that have come back
>to bite us ?
>
I have an 84 wolfsburg limited edition.  this vehicle was trouble free for
the first two years that i had it (bought it in 95 with 96,000 mi).

139,000 miles and no head jobs and none of that "bucking" or other stuff.
there have been a few problems in the past year but nothing catastrophic
(sp).

the engine does kind of need a rebuild to restore it to its original
performance.  but give me a break 139,000 miles.

I am young but can still remember when 100,000 was high milage.

seth gordon