1984 Volkswagen Vanagon GL from North America - Comments

I bought my 84 Westy Camper in Nov 05. I blew the water boxer almost immediately. I just had it replaced with a TIICO 135 hp engine from South Africa (think Jetta engine). I was a bit pricey, but, given the quality of the balance of this vehicle, it was 2well worth it. Try it. You can pass at will, drive up hill and never worry about all of the water boxer nightmares again!

Hi there

I had the pleasure of owning a 1989 Transporter T3 2.1 ltr 5 speed from new, bought as a family/work vehicle for our plant nursery business. The family loved it, as we went everywhere in it on holidays from when our kids were first born.

Power was sufficient, indeed it was the first Kombi I'd owned which had a noticeable sensation of "acceleration" - fantastic! It was one of the best handling cars I've owned and I still love the 80's styling.

Problems? stuff all really - a water pump in warranty -due to an overtight drive belt and another at 100000k - I guess VW had more experience at aircooling! Sticking rear brake shoes were an occasional problem, but the front brakes still were on original rotors at 330000km!

Only ever needed two wheel-alignments. Gearbox was still good, but getting a bit baulky, probably because the clutch needed doing, but hey, it only had 330,000 km on it!

The engine still started first crank and ran like a watch, no smoke, hardly used any oil. I was told the engines were built and pre-run-in at the East German VW factory which could have been the reason? I've two friends who've both had over 400000 hard kms on theirs - both now have T4s, but aren't in love with them.

The accountant made me trade it in for a T4 in 1999 but we all still would buy another T3 if only you could get a new one- they were unique.

Recently test-drove one and relived all the good feelings, the great road view, the handling, but didn't buy (due to engine rebuild fears). Now if someone had a nice mint one with a TiiCO engine conversion...

I have an '84 GL and an '85 GL for parts... unfortunately most of the bits I could really use from the '85 don't fit the '84 due to the typical VW habit of continuous "upgrading" os stuff. OTOH some of the bits are recognizable from my old '70 bay window!

I bought the girl for $750 from a nice couple who loved it, but it had the "drip of death" (head gasket) and "needed a valve job."

Fine, I'm the shade-tree type so I did a top end rebuild (rings, hone cylinders, new lifters -waste of money, they rattle too-, rebuilt heads -locally, real bargain at $160 the set-, new sodium filled exhaust valves - nearly as expensive as the whole head rebuild!-, new gasket and goober-schmuckum of course, and a new water pump.

Four years later I got some Mercedes "turbine" wheels, hogged out the mounting holes to fit the 14mm stud/bolt combo (weird, by the way) and rebuilt the brakes and suspension, including repacking the CVs and new steering rack boots and fit 195/65r-14 tires... NOT reinforced, but with a high (like 89) load factor rating.

Three years later, tires are about wore out (with only 24k miles on them, go figure!) but I expected that. Also teaching son to drive, T/O bearing decides to let loose (not his fault) and boogers the tranny input shaft... Parts Van looking like a super bargain about now! Unfortunately, "new" tranny is loud. I had redline in the old one and will be putting it in this one real soon!

REAL issues... it is an old car! All the "small" hoses have been replaced and the pressure fuel lines too. Gas tank leaky so I replaced the passenger side expansion tank (cracked fitting) and all the gas tank hoses... still need to do the tank itself so I still have a small leak. NOTE: those expansion tanks (one behind each front tire under your butt) take a beating so leaks when you fill them "full" are likely from one of them.

Other REAL issues... lights will corrode if the lenses get cracked (duh), Switch gear doesn't last forever, especially the high amp rear defroster switch (again, duh), window slider bushes die and must be replaced before the window gets too boogered from sliding metal on metal or it becomes VERY difficult to replace them! Darn orange phosphate free coolant is slippery as all-get-out and nearly impossible to keep from seeping out at hose connections. Fuel system will allow engine to run long after it shouldn't!!! This means my next project is to remove it all, clean very well, fix whatever is broken or leaky and try to make it start after reassembling!

NOTE2: if it runs poorly replace the Temp II switch. Don't argue, don't test it, just do it. For whatever reason it is a magic bullet on these engines. You out there who "know better" (I mean the by-the-book mechanics) fine, do it your way.

Bottom line:

purchase price$750

Initial repairs $1000

parts car $250

Subsequent repairs $1500.

Total price for approximately 40k miles of "living room on wheels" (not including fuel or my time) $3500.

Pretty cool.

P.s. I see at least ten of these in various conditions about town regularly (northern Nevada).

I bought an '86 Vanagon for $4,000 with 99,000 miles on her. I drove it for 5 years; I replaced one head, then at 164,000 it threw a rod through the block and I'm still looking for an engine, or even a rebuildable core. I loved that Van; it averaged 20mpg. I also had trouble with hydraulic clutch and alternator, but that's about it.

We live in Texas and have 8 Vanagons. My husband and I have "saved" all but 1 (Subaru conversion) of them from driveway death over the years. Most PO's do not take the time to find out what is wrong or how easy they can be to fix, and just let them sit in their driveway to rot or continue to drive them until something major goes wrong.

Yes, we have had a few coolant leaks and fuel leaks, but mostly the problem is clogged fuel injectors, a bad fuel pump or clogged fuel filters, which are a 10 minute fix if you have spare parts. Seafoam (fuel additive) Seafoam (Tranny additive) and Lucas oil (fuel and oil additives) are your friends. You also have to know how to bleed the cooling system of all air bubbles or they will overheat.

We have bought most for under $800. If you have one, get a Bentley manual, search the Internet for forums to join (we learned a lot from http://gerry.vanagon.com/), learn to search the Internet or eBay for parts and do the work yourself (you will save a lot of money by not having to take them to a dealer or garage for the work), get involved with your van.

Problems are pretty basic when you get to know how they run and what the little quirks are.

Watch your temperature gauge, if it is running hot pull to the side of the road and let it cool down or you will blow the head gasket. If you are the kind of person who doesn't have time to stop and let the van cool down - don't drive it that day. Have a backup car.

The red coolant light flashing means that your coolant is low, it is not an indicator that the van is overheating. Don't wait for the light to flash - that's too late. The only way you will know your van's temp is to watch the temp gauge. Make it a habit. I'm not saying they have a terrible overheating problem (we live in Texas and summer's are HOT here). I'm saying watch the temp gauge and you WON'T have a temp problem...

Make sure BOTH coolant tanks are full. There is the overflow under the license plate and the main tank inside the engine compartment to the left of the license plate. They BOTH need to be full.

The 86 and up have the fold down bed in the back unless you buy a weekender or Westphalia of an earlier model. 86 and up have the 2.1 engine instead of the 1.9. We do have 2 85's that seem to have the same power with the 1.9 than our 86, 88, 89, or 91 with the 2.1. Don't know why, 1 is a basic bare bones model the other is a Weekender.

We love them, we have moved children in and out of college dorms too many times to mention with 1 or 2 vans, made 1500 mile trips, sleep in WalMart parking lots on small and long trips. We love them they're great. It is a passion! You can't buy one and expect a 20-30 year old vehicle to be perfect, that is what gives them their character. That's why we give them names!!!

Love our Westy Camper- but these are NOT economical vehicles. NO WAY. My 1972 Pinto went 240,000 with almost no extra expenses, and I ran a Fiat Spider to 215,000 with also practically no problems. My 1987 Dodge Dakota was a total money pit, and very unreliable otherwise. I'll NEVER buy another Dodge... so here I am with an old VW camper :-)

3/19/2008 Recent engine install. Total cost $8500.

I planned on about $6000 based on quotes from several shops. WOW, was I wrong.

Here is the van story:

1990 Westy GL auto tranny. got from a friend with 132,000. Drove it to 217,336. Got new Engine from Boston Bob. Nice. Added lots of parts, radiator, hoses, stainless pipes feed-return to radiator, water pump, AFM, belts, tranny/oil cooler, tranny service, another gas tank seal kit, tank feed hose, etc. total = $9100-$600 core charge = $8500.. Engine, $2750. + 'my' parts = $5535. Shop install = $2596 (30.5 hours at $85/hr) plus $711 for 'their' parts, and tax = $300. Total shop charge $3600. ($WOW, but they did a lot of stuff)

Original purchase price $8000. Repairs between purchase and new engine = about $6000. This includes 2 alternators, gas tank seal, window tracks, window seals, tranny seals, door locks, windshields (three) dash wiring, lights, total brakes front and rear (cylinders, drums, wheel bearings, calipers, etc).

Fridge repair, AC rebuild, rear heater core, new radio antenna, dash control knobs, fuse link repairs, new skylight, removed and repainted cab roof under luggage rack, re-finished and did body work on seam rust, as well as other body work and paint, sink and plumbing repair, water tank sender units replaced, leaks fixed, propane copper tube connectors repaired ("friend" said he could smell a little propane, but would turn off tank, or drive with window open. wow!) and- new ground wire system, 3 water pumps, along with sundry plugs/wires/distributor parts. cleaned up/repaired/rebuild cabinetry, carpets, seat armrests, re-hung front doors on hinges so they close, now. Wow.

Total? $8000 + $6000 + $3600 = $17,600. Actually, this may be a bit low- as I have senior moments. I also went through 10 michelin tires (blew up- not high enough load rated) and now use 102 rated Haakapelittas (sp?)

I just wish there was something else to compete on the market.. this van beats living under a bridge overpass... I should get a job, maybe. Being retired/old/artificial hips/ankles/etc on a limited income ain't no way to afford one of these. Love it, but $$$$$ wow.

My buddy is moving to WA state and wants to sell me his 1988 with a blown head gasket and his 1985 with a blown tranny. The 88 is mint inside and out other than a chalky roof. Total price? $500. USD.

Am I a fool to BUY or a fool to PASS up?

I am wondering about the drip of death mentioned above... I have some drips.. How do I see if it is gasket? Is there oil coming from the heads area? Just bought the thing... ah oh.