I have now had the Vanagon on the road for almost a week. (the 5 year
slumber) I have heeded the advice of many of you on the list and tried to
prepare for the worst and hoped for the best. (Carrying pieces of coolant
hose, some wire, elec.tape, duct tape,emergency tools etc. ) Of course since
1983 I have NEVER gone anywhere in a VW bus of any kind without a good fire
extinguisher! I sure miss that '72 Camper! I've logged almost 1 thousand
miles and have had NOTHING bad happen! Unless you call filling up the gas
tank bad, and at these prices I almost do. I consistantly get 19.2 - 19.4
mpg. Is this about right for an '84 Vanagon? Hopefully I'll get a new
muffler this weekend I like the sound of the one that is on there , but am
afraid the State Troopers might not! It is running swell and the handling is
tight, the oil is still quite clean and I haven't lost any. The leaks that I
had originally when I changed the oil, have ceased.(wondering if maybe some
moron may have spilled it down the fill tube?) I even figured out the heater
controls! (no owners manual) I have however lost ownership and primary
operator status. My wife has decided it is hers! I guess I still have the
rabbits and the dually. Maybe she will let me drive it once in a while !
Tom