I'm a new subscriber to this list and a new Vanagon owner. Unfortunately the Vanagon I own is a charred wreck. After owning the 1986 GL for a whole week it met with disaster in front of my home when I started it one evening. I heard the ignition of fumes not unlike the starting of a gas barbecue and immediately saw smoke. Unfortunately with no hose in the immediate vicinity I had to call the local fire department (3 blocks away). By the time they arrived I had flames coming from the side air vents that reached several feet above the roof of the van. Though we had insured the van just a couple of days earlier we opted not to get the full coverage due to the relatively small initial investment. If anyone is interested in anything forward of the rear seat let me know. And please check your fuel lines. This van was in amazingly good condition which led me to believe that there was no hurry to get myself dirty by crawling underneath it. This is a serious issue with Vanagons not just the source of a few interesting pictures you see now and then.

Jason 
Murrieta (Southern) California