Toast (24.23.170.121) - Wed Mar 8 11:11:32 2006

I'm looking at a 89 Weekender w/150K miles for

$7,000. The Van is clean thru-out, I'm looking

for info about anything that "typically" goes

bad on these beasts. Any help is appreciated.

Reply #1 Floyd (72.81.31.23) - Thu Jul 24 12:02:56 2008

Dear Toast, I cannot give you info on a 89, however I can

give you my experience with a 87 w/107, 000 miles on it that I paid $5, 000 for five years ago.

1. mine developed water leaks in the water boxer head gasket. I called several places & they could or would not garrentee thier work. It was cheaper to get a new rebuilt from Ger. ( $2900 )

during the change over I replaced every rubber water line & part just due to age and possible failure. Over the years I replaced the cataylic converter, oxgen sensor, the instrument cluster when speedometer failed, drivers sider electric window motor replaced, low beam headlight lenses replaced they craze w/age. When the ECM ( electronic brain ) statred to fail it led to several misdiagnoes by so called vw experts. ( vw dealer )

after replaced the coil, distributor, ignition wires ect. I called a distant shop that specilized in old vanagons. THier mechainic told me the ecm was failing and it would leave me alongside the road. I was at my wits end. If I hit a bump it would drop 300 rpm then roar back to normal. THe ecm cost over $900 and no one carries spares for testing ! Hang I'd spent a lot so a little more came under might as well catagory. IT resolved all the problems.

Today, I use it for towing my sailing kayak, or saling skiff for several camping trips a year. PLus my wife & I use it for camping trips down to Cape May, NJ with our bike rack on it.

( Cape May is a very bike friendly resort town ) It's a nice conversation piece and is extremely reliable now. The first two years were nail biters over what is going to fail now clause.

One of the most difficult parts is finding a mechainic who really under stands twenty some odd year old technology.

Yes, it's worth it and I enjoy driveing it, but to bring it up to reliable standards was a bit of a cross to bear at times.

Good luck should you decide to persevere.

Floyd

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