"Gregory W. Baskin"  wrote:

Sorry I can't help you, Christa, but it does bring up a question for the
group:  I, too, have dreamed of "Westying" through Baja but was told
recently by my just-purchased ex-owner that this isn't a great idea to do in
a water-cooled.  He said the only parts available down there are for the
air-cooled.

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After many trips in Baja using various vehicles I have the following
observations:
Baja is a sparsely populated area, parts for any vehicle are not common.  I
did however buy a ring compressor, rings, head gasket and front shocks for
my 82 diesel westy in Cabo San Lucas once. All parts were in stock also.
I was going to re-ring it, but decided to just leave it and get home to LA,
it took about 30 liters of oil for the trip back.

If  I were to choose a vehicle based on availability of parts and service in
Baja, I don't know what I would buy.  The only VW buses (air or water) I saw
on the roads down there (Baja) were driven by Americans. The Mexicans drive
all kinds of cars,  they don't seem worried.  You can get anything part
ordered from the states if you need.  There are FLAPS type stores in baja,
but last time I was there no VW dealer.

My diesel vanagon timing belt broke on I15 near Parowan Utah once.  I tried
for 3 days to get a new head out of SLC, LV and LA but for whatever reason
could not get one.  In the end I towed it home.  So you can run into trouble
wherever you are.

Gary Lee
Calgary, Canada