go buy a six pack of beer and a Playboy magazine. You'll get more fun and enjoyment than what you're might end up doing.

Craig Jon Anderson wrote:

> I found an 84 diesel Vanagon nearby.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that it was not in very good condition.  I was disappointed because the ad and the owner lead me to believe that it was in better shape than it really was.  In particular, I am suspicious that the transmission/clutch may have some hidden damage even though the guy said that it was "fairly new".  The reason that I am suspicious is that he said the same thing about the paint job and there was a fair amount of rust.
>
> Here is what I saw.  PLEASE.. offer comments, tips, suggestions on how I can figure out more about the condition of this baby and whether I should spend any more effort.  I am not a mechanic, so bear with some of the descriptions
>
> 1.  Dogs used the interiour for a toilet.  It stunk to high heaven.  It appears that originally it was a 7 passenger or weekender, however all bench seat had been removed and what appeared to be some wood had been laid down on top of the original floor and then a bench bolted to that sideways behind the driver seat.  There was carpeting laid down over the wood.
>
> 2. Four of the heat vents had tape over them.
>
> 3. It hasn't been started or run in over a year.  They guy says that the engine was experiencing some "blow by" because of a bad piston or ring.  He didn't know.  There was still plenty of oil in the crankcase.
>
> 4. The air filter appeared relatively clean.
>
> 5. There was NO water/antifreeze in the resevoir.  It was dry.  It could have leaked/blown out or maybe he drained it to prevent freezing.  Regardless, this bothers me.  HOW DO I TELL IF THERE IS A CRACKED BLOCK?
>
> 6. Some sort of "cap" appeared to be missing where I believe the engine connects to the transmission.  If you look into the engine compartment from the hatch, it is towards the back.   The hole was about as big around a half dollar and I could stick my finger in the hole.
>
> 7. Since the guy wasn't there and his "soon to be ex-wife" didn't have the keys, I couldn't start it.  I could shift into all the gears with the clutch pushed in.
>
> 8. The the engine side of the engine compartment cover seemed REALLY sootie/oily.
>
> 9.  I was able to release the emergency brake and roll the thing about a foot on the flat with just my own shoulder power.
>
> 10. The plastic around steering column was gone.
>
> 11.  There is substantial surface rust around the edges and doors with one or two through and through spots.
>
> COMMENTS?
>
> Craig
> ###
>
> Craig Jon Anderson
> Strategic Accounts Business Development
> Marathon Technologies Corp.
> Nonstop Windows NT
> 978-266-9999 x145
> 978-266-0023 fax
> craig@marathontechnologies.com
>
> http://www.marathontechnologies.com