> 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 ?

Not that I have been able to determine.  The earlier and later Vanagons seem
equally reliable, and tend to need the same repairs over time (head gaskets,
water pumps, rear heater cores, upper control arm bushings, etc. etc. etc.).

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com
 (215) 234-VWVW