> Here south of the Mason Dixon line (okay DC isn't very far south,
> but
> it is technically..) we don't often get these frigid temps and
> certainly the last couple of winters have been warm enough to not
> have
> to worry about draining the water tank on the Westy.

actual vanagon content ... for those of us down south where it is
gonna get really really cold tonight, and for those of you who live
elsewhere that it is already really really cold,

i remind you of the engine heater you can make out of a cardboard box,
a roll of aluminum foil, and a 60-watt light bulb. and a cord to make
the light stay on all night, of course. ;)

line the box with foil.  a couple of layers just to make sure the heat
doesn't get through to the cardboard. put the light fixture  in the
middle and leave the light on all night long. keeps the engine block
warmer than it would be otherwise.

the trick is to get a box that is very nearly the same height as your
ground clearance under the bus at the engine. so the wind doesn't blow
in and cool the bulb too much.

and if you have an automatic transmission, it might not be a bad idea
to put another box/bulb under the transmission pan.

a worklight works great, but not the flourescent kind ... they don't
put out enough heat to do any good. :(
and don't put a huge 100 watt bulb in the light ... you don't want to
catch the engine on fire. :(
even a 40-watt bulb would work.
and make sure you do not have any oil leaks or gasoline leaks!!! a
cleaner engine is better.

i thought there was a web site that had directions and photos, but i
can't find it. :(

this also works for other-than-vanagon cars. :)

good luck!
unca joel