TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:18 pm

Hi all.

I scrolled through the popular threads and didn't see this. Spank me if it's been done, but.....

Given that Spring has almost Sprung (even though it's snowing here :roll: ) and newbie Vanagon/Westy season fast approaches, would it be handy to have a stickie list of "must have" inexpensive spares to carry?

But not the usual cap/rotor/plugs stuff. Considering the general age of the Vanagon, things like:

ignition switch
oil pressure switch(s)
Dash light bulb

Yay? Nay?

Neil.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:39 pm

check here-

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116333&highlight=spare
or here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=254034&highlight=spare

Im sure the are others if you search some more

Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:57 pm

Almost anytime I need to replace small inexpensive parts I buy two.

Add window cranks to that list and any cables such as accelerator or speedo. I also have a spare for the neutral switch housed in the automatic shifter. Can't start the engine without it.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:03 pm

I recently found a Vanagon at a local junkyard with an intact engine compartment and got the alternator, distributor with cap and wires, coil and wire, injectors, coolant bottles, AFM and some other stuff. If I'd had more time, money and space I'd have gotten more stuff.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:07 pm

foodeater wrote: check here-

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116333&highlight=spare
or here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=254034&highlight=spare

Im sure the are others if you search some more

I'll consider myself partially spanked. ;)

As you suggested, I searched some more, but didn't see clear mention of the ignition switch etc. In light of some recent posts, I thought a list of parts one may not typically think of, especially considering the general age of these vehicles, might be handy for the newb.

i.e. During a newby road trip, an unexpected return home at night w/o speedo dash light, made it that much harder. I had driven during the days only up to that point and didn't realize they were out. A bulb would have helped.

But I guess it's all been said and done. :)

Neil.

Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:29 am

I carry 4 spare items that I got over time here on Samba classifieds all for a good price: waterpump, fuel pump, TPS, and throttle cable (actually got the cable from Van-cafe)

Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:19 am

I lost a coil once without warning after a long camping trip. If you don't have a new one, it might be worth carrying around. new or used.

I also blew a valve stem last year. I had my spare, but low and behold it was sitting at 15 lbs... It got me to a gas station, but now in my tool kit I have an air pump.

Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:38 am

I don't go anywhere without an extra set of belts for Alternator and water pump. I also started carrying an extra accelerator cable after my my linkage between the pedal and cable detached last year and I realized I'd have been way more f*cked if the cable itself had broken.

Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:47 am

I am finally to the point I have changed out all the usual suspects. So my accessories are essentially new.

Money is best spent on a AAA platinum card, bring beer and wine instead of parts. IF you bring the part it will never break.

Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:30 am

Belts, some oddball hoses, spare in good shape, fix a flat (redundency), cell phone.

Everything DogPilot Says is CosmicAviationLaw, if you bring it- it wont break.
That Platinum AAA will give you one 200mile tow & three 100mile tows.
Thereafter tows are 5$ (shudder) a MILE.

Otherwise tunes and reality altering poison of choice is veryvery good.

Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:48 pm

Carry a spare coil.

from another thread:
tencentlife wrote: The problem is that [the coil] usually tests out OK with the ohmmeter, unless it has already failed completely. Ohms won't tell you if the internal insulation has degraded which causes misfires once they get hot. It's kinda one of those things where you just put in a new one because it's time.

Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:21 pm

The one part that has ever really put me on a wrecker was
a bad hall sendor. Dont know if it was the wires going in or
the hall itself but a working spare distributer is good insurance.

Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:24 pm

The 4-page spare parts to have thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379693 .

The 4-page tools to have thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238180 .

Let's keep it all one place, so to speak. :wink: If anyone feels this thread should continue, PM a moderator.