> have put 20K on an '87 GL since purchase 3/98 from orig owner.  (No
> maintenance records) besides basic plugs/wires/cap/rotor/filters, what
> might i want to consider? planning a 6k mile ski trip this winter to
> wyoming/colo/utah.

Check the fuel lines and clamps in the engine compartment and replace them if
they're marginal.  It's not hard (take from someone who never worked on cars
before the VW) and can save you the grief of an engine fire.  Get the right 7mm
fuel line and stainless clamps from VanAgain or The Bus Depot.

Do a flush and fill of your coolant if you don't know when it was done last.
Make sure the system is properly bled of air.

IMHO, these are things you should attempt yourself.  You'll feel good after
having done it and you won't worry about whether some newbie mechanic did it
wrong.

Change out or consider carrying an oxygen sensor and a temp II sensor.  The two
relatively inexpensive pieces can make your life hell if they fail on the road.

-Karl

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 Westfalia Weekender  "Beverley" - 188K miles
VW Mechanic list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/vwshops
Busses by the Trail - Oct 15-17, 1999: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/bbtt
PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/pavanagon