Just wanted to post this as a warning to those folks who have been delaying
replacing their coolant hoses for one reason or another.  I have noticed in
my dealings with VW lately that preformed hoses around the 83 and earlier
time frame are becoming "no longer available".  What does this mean?  This
means that within the next couple of years the hoses for the 84-85 Vanagons
could become "no longer available" from the dealer or any other source except
"good used" hoses from junkyards.  So if you are thinking about replacing
those 15 year old hoses, I would do it soon before it becomes impossible to
do so.
Us folks with 2.1l Vanagons should be OK for a few more years as our last
year was '91 which is only 9 years ago (still not a good excuse to not change
old hoses before they blow).

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16
Phone: (856)-765-1583
Shop:   (856)-327-0027
Fax:     (856)-327-2242