Many years ago, perhaps 1998 when I first discovered the internet, I had
some email correspondence with a British national living in the US who
had a RHD diesel Vanagon. I was trying to buy it, but he wasn't too
interested.
The thing  had tons of miles on it, like 5-600k miles. On 3 engines!
He'd driven it clear to South america and back. He told me about driving
up some great mountain in Peru -Macchu Picchu perhaps. something like 7
hour climb in 2nd gear. I could be a little foggy on the exact details,
but I remember the feeling. Seemed like an incredible climb, but
breathtaking in more ways than one.
He said that as the engine was wearing out, the fuel mileage would begin
to fall.
I sure wish I could find the hard drive on which I saved those
conversations!
Does anyone possibly know who this might be? I can't remember where he
was, exactly.

David Brodbeck wrote:

>brett price wrote:
>
>
>
>>That said, I had a talk with a mechanic yesterday and he said that
>>all the deisel vanagons he worked on over the years (10 or so) burned
>>out there bottom ends within 15k, because of the motor slant didn't
>>allow oil to drain out of the head back to the pump.
>>
>>
>
>Poppycock.  They can and do go 100,000+ miles, if not abused.  However,
>they won't forgive being run low on oil or being overheated.
>
>
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