Slow Going

[RWebb]

re: REPLACE THOSE FUEL LINES!!!

- which ones are we talking about?

(guess I am not lurking enuff)

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by RWebb

re: REPLACE THOSE FUEL LINES!!!

- which ones are we talking about?

Probably means replace 'em all.

Likely to prevent spontaneous combustion.

[jyl]

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_499

http://www.benplace.com/fuel_line.htm

I need to do it, this summer - along w/ shocks and brakes.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by RWebb

re: REPLACE THOSE FUEL LINES!!!

- which ones are we talking about?

(guess I am not lurking enuff)

The links by jyl are the best ones. I used the how-to from the benplace website. It's an easy job.

The problem is when the fuel lines in the engine compartment leak, the gas goes right onto the exhaust pipes. Even lines that look good can have split ends that let go unexpectedly. You mentioned some work that your wrench will be doing. Tell him to do the fuel lines, too.

Also, the coolant lines can begin to go after 23 years. While not catastrophic, the result is annoying. A favorite upgrade is stainless steel coolant lines between the engine and the radiator. Van-cafe sells those, too. The stock plastic pipes eventually fail at the ends.

[ckissick]

One more thing. You must replace the coolant with phosphate-free coolant every 2 years. This will make the notorious problem of leaky heads a non-issue.

To make this job easy, go to the samba and search for "libby bong". Because the engine is in the back and the radiator is in front and higher than the reservoir, the old way of recharging the system is a pain. The libby bong is a home-made device that makes recharging the coolant a snap. And the bonus is that you get to keep a tool in your garage that's called a bong.

[RWebb]

Thanks! I will check those sites.

I am cool on the coolant. It is being replaced right now with new VW magic stuff. They are also doing a tuneup, brake hoses, F. rotors, pads, F wheel bearings, Alt. belt.

Is GoWesty decent for pricing on parts, accessories they sell? $350 for a F grill (So. Africa or not) seems super high priced. OTOH, I checked their ARB Fix a Flat kit and it is only $40 vs. $35 at some 4x4 place...

[DasBoot]

The new Doka (which we'll most likely never see in the US)

[FastCarFan]

Originally Posted by RWebb

1986 with an Auto. Trans.

So... I am now the "proud" owner of this Westy, which needs $800 worth of work according to the PPI. It is in their shop now since I want to use it as soon as the rain lets up. I don't have much interest in crawling under this thing to do repairs. The 911 is different.

I used to have an old '70s Bus and I always said "These things are fabulous -- but only when they are stopped." I plan to stop it in various places in the Oregon desert soon.

I've been waiting for years and years for VW to get its act together and make a nice, modern off-road camper. I've finally given up, so I am going to use the Westy and not wait on VW anymore. It replaces a Honda Pilot, which was a great compromise vehicle, but always a compromise.

A fellow sports-car fan friend of mine bought one similar to this (only blue) a few years ago. He loves it. He & his son take it to the races & camp out -- Mid-Ohio & Watkins Glen. He said one positive is you don't have to worry about getting a speeding ticket -- it won't go fast enough!

His family is from Slovakia, so he has an oval Slovakia sticker on the back that reads "SLO" -- great pun, considering the vehicle!

So if you see a blue Westy on the way to the races or at the track with "SLO" & McLaren decals on the back, stop by to say hi. His name is Marty & he is a nice guy.

[john walker's workshop]

replace everything related to water. all the hoses, water pump, sensors, radiator, fan relay, etc. sometimes the whole engine if the heads leak. any water cooled vw/porsche product makes me nervous. sorry.

[RWebb]

Thanks! Most of that has been done - not sure re sensors & fan relay

it has ~36k on a new motor

[ckissick]

When you buy parts, just check GoWesty prices against Van Cafe. There are other sites, but those two have the fastest service. GoWesty can be pricey, but not on everything. For example, they have hydraulic lifters at $9.95 each, less than half of anyone else. Just shop around.

[speeder]

So I assume that Pelican does not sell parts for these at all since we're dropping other vendors names here? I would check these guys out before buying anything from one of those cutesy, captive audience sites that advertise heavily on vanagon boards:

www.bmaparts.com

[jyl]

When you need tires, suggest look at the Nokian light truck/van tires that are all-season snow tires. I have them, work fine in dry, wear well, and good in snow and rain.

Reason is that need a high load rating to carry all that weight on puny 14" wheels. And vanagon traction in snow is poor w/ no LSD and narrow small tires, so need all the help that a snow compound/tread can give.

[speeder]

I don't see hydraulic lifters on this list, (do vanagons have them?), but check a price on a part you know and compare it to those other sites. Great customer service from these people.

http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1986-VOLKSWAGEN-Vanagon--/--H4--109cc--.1l--Gas--Fi--mv&yearid=1986%40%401986&makeid=VOLKSWAGEN%40%40VOLKSWAGEN%40%40X&engineid=1286478%40%40VANAGON++%2F+H4%2D2109cc+2%2 E1L+GAS+FI++%28MV%29%40%40VANAGON&catid=Engine@@Engine&mode=PS

[Zeke]

A friend of mine has this one with a Subi in it. I drove it the other day. Yes, it scoots, but it scares me at anything over 65.

[RWebb]

thx folks

I am currently trying to find some touchup paint in a spray can...

milt - that white one also has the $400 headlight grill mod...

[pwd72s]

Not exactyly aerodynamic, are they? Beware of crosswinds...

[speeder]

Here's a freakin' cool VW race car hauler, the guy selling it doesn't know what it is but I talked to him and he's a good guy. He's clearing an estate and apparently the title states 1961. I explained that it's a full custom job, (not factory as stated), and that it looks cool. Check it out:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/1112550840.html

[RWebb]

the Vanagon has a decent Cd - better than the older, rounder bus versions

but it's always a tough one to push a 4x8 sheet of plywood thru the air

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speeder

Here's a freakin' cool VW race car hauler, the guy selling it doesn't know what it is but I talked to him and he's a good guy. He's clearing an estate and apparently the title states 1961. I explained that it's a full custom job, (not factory as stated), and that it looks cool. Check it out:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/1112550840.html

I used to see those in the 60's. A guy named Adam Smith (!) built one here in LB.