Initial issues:
The radiator fan stuck on all the time,
no history so last service unknown
Slight knocking
Slight wayward handling
Sticky steering wheel and horrible gear knob
Seller said camper electrics had issues.
Aircon not working.
After buying the van I went to visit a friends garage to use his ramp and drink his coffee. First job was to get the front off to get at the coolant sensor G65. I read it could be done with just the front in service position. But would have been really difficult bordering on impossible. So dropped the coolant and removed the rad to get at it, was still very hard to get to. Also replaced the other temp sensor on the rad. I read that you should only get the G65 from VW/TPS as it the only correct one that comes with a little loom.
Also replaced to front wishbone rear bushes, oil change, oil filter, air filter and cabin filter.
With the van apart and on a ramp I could see that it had both a new alternator, new steering rack and I think a new turbo an manifold. The manifold looked very new and there was evidence of a lot of oil from a previously blown turbo. Van also fitted with coilovers and a wabasto heating thing underneath. So cleaned all the old oil mess while I had the front off.
Next was to replace the sticky steering wheel and horrible gear knob. Went with a Golf GT one on eBay as price wasnt to bad. A fairly easy job except the steering rack had been replaced but the steering wheel was way off. So it took a few attempts to get the steering wheel on straight again.
Also ordered some new drive shafts and a new gearbox stub axle. Ive never seen a part vary so much in prices as these. JR on eBay do them very cheap. Not a hard job to do really.
Got the aircon re gassed but still didnt work so Kwik fit emptied it again. (no charge)
After fixing the stuck on fan by replacing the coolant sensors. I could now hear the engine properly at idle. There was a worrying noise that sounded like the top end. Sort of went away when with any revs. Drove it for a few days and through some floods and the noise got really really bad at idle. Some googling suggested it was the aircon.
So back on the ramp and sure enough noise is from the aircon. Its pretty easy to get to from underneath. 3 bolts and then can be pulled out the bottom. The rubber drive things was okay. But the clutch was jammed and all the teeth stripped on the spline. The spline on the pump itself is okay and the pump rotates fine. So I think just a new clutch will do it. But its easy enough to refit the pump with no pulley or clutch and use the van without it.
Engine is still a bit noisy.... but tested it out at a beach.