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Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:40 pm

oarse wrote: @rwmindy: Most VW engine fires are caused by one of 2 things. Either failing/brittle old fuel lines, or a plastic fuel filter in the engine bay (between the fuel pump and the carb.)

Old fuel lines are a major issue, but the filter is a red herring. I have yet to see or hear of any proof that the filter caused a fire. The issue is that it's weight helps to pull the fitting out of the carb and spill fuel. If that fitting is properly secured, it will not be a problem. I am tired of people blaming the filter for causing engine fires. It just isn't true.

As for bus safety, here's my take. Drive it like you are strapped to the front of it, because you are. Good tires, proper maintenance, and defensive driving are all that you can do. There is always the chance that some crumb will come along and make all of your preparations a moot point. You cannot control every eventuality. That is where modern safety features come into play, and a bus has none of them.

If you can allow yourself to accept these conditions, drive your bus. If not, sell it and buy a Subaru Forester.

Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:43 pm

The most important thing you can do is to not tailgate. It is something that you have control over. It has been said in several ways in this thread but it is the most important and most effective thing you can do and it does not cost one penny!

Comparing my bus or my bug to my motorcycle works the opposite from the way it has been discussed here so far. On my motorcycle, I can maneuver better and accelerate better than in my VWs. I feel safer on it than I do in my VWs. Thing is, my wife does not worry when I drive in my old cars but she does when I go out on the motorbike.

Never run into the back of anyone. That is the worst risk and it is the one you can have control over. If you are not willing to go slow and keep some serious following space, the VW bus is not the car for you. If you cannot figure out how to keep that following distance, you may not want a VW bus. That following distance is a life and death matter. It is as simple as it is true.

By the way, I would say that a Porsche is no better than a VW bus as far as safety goes. It is not "getting out of dangerous situations" It is not getting into them in the first place, that makes for an old VW bus driver. I have been driving aircooled vans since 1969.

Chuey..........possibly old, definitely a VW bus driver.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:16 am

cdennisg wrote: oarse wrote: @rwmindy: Most VW engine fires are caused by one of 2 things. Either failing/brittle old fuel lines, or a plastic fuel filter in the engine bay (between the fuel pump and the carb.)

Old fuel lines are a major issue, but the filter is a red herring. I have yet to see or hear of any proof that the filter caused a fire. The issue is that it's weight helps to pull the fitting out of the carb and spill fuel. If that fitting is properly secured, it will not be a problem. I am tired of people blaming the filter for causing engine fires. It just isn't true.

As for bus safety, here's my take. Drive it like you are strapped to the front of it, because you are. Good tires, proper maintenance, and defensive driving are all that you can do. There is always the chance that some crumb will come along and make all of your preparations a moot point. You cannot control every eventuality. That is where modern safety features come into play, and a bus has none of them.

If you can allow yourself to accept these conditions, drive your bus. If not, sell it and buy a Subaru Forester.
I might disagree there some. The plastic cheapie ones that dont have a barb at the tapered end of it can pop out if not checked and secured.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:55 am

You will only be able to improve on your old 60's bus so much. 3-point seatbelts, proper lighting, 3rd brake light, disc brakes.
Then you get to the point where you the driver come into play. Working with new VWs there is only you can help someone from being an arsehole.
Being friendly and giving some space will save your arse more than any engineer will. Smoke em if you got em, put on some tunes and take it easy. That is what your bus is all about.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:08 am

cdennisg wrote: oarse wrote: @rwmindy: Most VW engine fires are caused by one of 2 things. Either failing/brittle old fuel lines, or a plastic fuel filter in the engine bay (between the fuel pump and the carb.)

Old fuel lines are a major issue, but the filter is a red herring. I have yet to see or hear of any proof that the filter caused a fire. The issue is that it's weight helps to pull the fitting out of the carb and spill fuel. If that fitting is properly secured, it will not be a problem. I am tired of people blaming the filter for causing engine fires. It just isn't true.

As for bus safety, here's my take. Drive it like you are strapped to the front of it, because you are. Good tires, proper maintenance, and defensive driving are all that you can do. There is always the chance that some crumb will come along and make all of your preparations a moot point. You cannot control every eventuality. That is where modern safety features come into play, and a bus has none of them.

If you can allow yourself to accept these conditions, drive your bus. If not, sell it and buy a Subaru Forester.

There might be some truth to what you are saying about the filter location, but to me I just feel more confident locating it elsewhere. Obviously plenty of folks have located their fuel filters in the engine compartment over the last several decades without incident. I secure all fuel line fittings, but for years I've heard true purists saying that "proper fitting" fuel lines don't require clamps to hold them in place. For me to specify plastic fuel filters was somewhat insignificant, as I'd feel the same way about glass in my engine compartment. I have heard that the plastic ones can melt and leak fuel, sounds plausible but I have no evidence to corroborate this. Urban legend?

Otherwise I totally agree with your post.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:24 am

I don't think anybody mentioned those slow moving vehicle magnets? Could help draw attention to your rear end.... I am most concerned about the tiny little taillights. I'll be adding a 3rd brake light to the window and a dual circuit master cylinder and a SMV magnet for anything other than local trips. .

Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:43 am

"Chuey" said it best, never get too close to anyone in front of you, maintain a good stock brake system, upgrade to dual circuit brake master cylinder if possible. I bought and run with the reflective "slow moving vehicle" magnetic sign and that was probably the best $65 I ever spent on the safety of my Bus fleet! You can buy one and move it from Bus to Bus. The other idiots on the road at night will see that thing from WAY back, well before noticing those cool, but ineffective vintage taillights.

Bill

Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:26 am

buseric wrote: I don't think anybody mentioned those slow moving vehicle magnets? Could help draw attention to your rear end.... I am most concerned about the tiny little taillights. I'll be adding a 3rd brake light to the window and a dual circuit master cylinder and a SMV magnet for anything other than local trips. .

Like Eric and Bill said, these are great. I've used one for about 5 years now, with plenty of motorway miles under it's belt, a lot at night. I don't do much over 50mph if I can help it, and with this I see trucks getting ready to overtake from miles away behind me. Just nice to give faster moving traffic (like, everyone else on the road) a bit of extra warning I'm a rolling road block.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:37 am

I like the semaphore sticker... :lol:

Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:07 am

quartermilecamel wrote: . The plastic cheapie ones that dont have a barb at the tapered end of it can pop out if not checked and secured.

True, but that is less a function of the filter as it is of the mechanic who needs to properly secure it.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:50 pm

this topic recently came up at a bus campout. Someone brought up the issue of modern drivers relying on airbags to save them so they tend to drive like shit. He suggested that if instead of airbags if cars had knifebags installed everyone would drive a whole lot better!

Later on that night he realized a bus with safari windows IS a vehicle with knife bags installed!

Moral of the story, drive defensively and have proper car/life insurance.

My recommendation is to install dual res brake master and a third brake light.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:43 pm

cdennisg wrote: quartermilecamel wrote: . The plastic cheapie ones that dont have a barb at the tapered end of it can pop out if not checked and secured.

True, but that is less a function of the filter as it is of the mechanic who needs to properly secure it.
The only thing that worried me about the plastic filter was how soft it would get in the engine compartment after a long run. Mine eventually started sagging where the plastic tubes met the filter body - that's when I decided to ditch it.
I'm sure there are good and bad quality plastic filters.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:54 pm

Culito wrote: cdennisg wrote: quartermilecamel wrote: . The plastic cheapie ones that dont have a barb at the tapered end of it can pop out if not checked and secured.

True, but that is less a function of the filter as it is of the mechanic who needs to properly secure it.
The only thing that worried me about the plastic filter was how soft it would get in the engine compartment after a long run. Mine eventually started sagging where the plastic tubes met the filter body - that's when I decided to ditch it.
I'm sure there are good and bad quality plastic filters.

I've never seen one melt just from the temps reached in the engine compartment. I use Mann filters. They used to be German, but now I think they are made in Israel.

Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:47 pm

I constantly worry about my vw's because my kids are always with me. Just wait till you start driving your bus to gatherings and meet some of the death traps that the other drive. You will drive away proud that you took that extra time to adjust your brakes and not rely on the handbrake to stop you at the red light. Some of the guys cars at our gatherings amaze me that they even stop or go!! LOL

Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:46 am

What are the monthly or yearly car fatality statistics in the USA? If they're as bad as ours in Australia then think about this...

Most of those fatalities are in MODERN cars! Go figure...

If you drive any vehicle you are always putting your life in the hands of an idiot who crosses the centreline because he was texting someone on his cell phone or whatever. Driving is a risky past time. Sure, a head on in a Splitty (or a Bay) is probably not great but a head on in any vehicle driving over 50mph is probably fatal no matter what car you're driving.

Enjoy driving your Splitty. If your number's up, your number's up...

Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:18 am

oarse wrote:
I think the motorcycle analogy was the best advice in this thread. Just be careful and drive defensively (oh, and pay attention 100% of the time.) And of course keep your vehicle mechanically sound with brakes, lights, etc.

I wholly agree. When I approach a side street where a car is idling- ready to dart- I flash the highs twice on my bike. I "wiggle" the VW's steering wheel as a habit- just to stir the car- and add a second of thinking time for the side-street driver. Basically- I'm strangely assisting other drivers in considering my speed before darting.

Sat Mar 10, 2012 12:27 pm

Flashing your lights twice? Wiggling?

WTF :shock:

If I want to pull out and you flash your lights I will assume that you have seen me and want me to pull out. If you move around in your lane I will think you haven't indicated and are coming into the street I am in.

Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:55 pm

Sambafraser wrote: Flashing your lights twice? Wiggling?

WTF :shock:

If I want to pull out and you flash your lights I will assume that you have seen me and want me to pull out. If you move around in your lane I will think you haven't indicated and are coming into the street I am in.

I use the highs on my bike to catch the other driver's attention- I've never had one think I'm turning- for that I use turn signals- as should everyone. In the VWs- I drive a little 'psycho'- to keep people from thinking I'm just another old POS that deserves to slam on the brakes. A couple stirs of the steering wheel attracts enough attention- usually. Again- I have never had someone dart out when I've given them a second reason to pay attention to me. Folks in Idaho fear Psychotic drivers- we pack.

If I want someone to think I'm turning- I do something really crazy- I slow down and signal.

Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:29 pm

Are all of the Slow Moving Vehicle magnet signs created equally? I've looked and seen quite a range of pricing. Are they all manufactured by the same company? Do not want to buy one over the other just because of price on something as a safety feature.

Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:46 pm

dvance wrote: Are all of the Slow Moving Vehicle magnet signs created equally? I've looked and seen quite a range of pricing. Are they all manufactured by the same company? Do not want to buy one over the other just because of price on something as a safety feature.

No.