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busheypapa Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: south florida
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject: van is burnt |
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Long time reader first time posting. Well here goes I got an 85 westy. I have rebuilt her she was mechanicaly sound. Took her up and down the east coast last summer, was planning to do the same this summer. The problem is fuel line gave out and she burned pretty good. Insurance company coming Monday to total her. everything in engine compartment is toast. Should I let insurance comp total her or should I try to fix her. Of course the fire department broke two windows. It really did not damage cabinets or fridge or stove, just everything plastic or rubber in the engine compartment. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks
P.S. change your fuel lines |
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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Post some pictures.. That would help the more knowledgeable here to assess whether it is worth salvaging.
But my guess is that if the rear cabinet did not burn you were..
1. Lucky it was a small fire.
and
2. Likely that the van can be salvaged. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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the Ins. Co. will total nearly any old car
you can fight that, or just try to buy it back from them at the salvage price _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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busheypapa Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: south florida
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject: burnt engine |
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I'm trying to post photos with no luck. The fire basically was just in the engine compartment. All rubber and plastic parts are gone. Alittle damage to right tail light and paint damage. Computer and everything else is gone. I have the knowledge to rebuild. I really love (Ms brown). I really don't wont to be without my van. |
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Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Isn't the computer under the rear seat? I would think it could be salvaged. Maybe you could find a donor van to get all the plastic parts and wiring off of. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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just curious (mine ruptured but fortunately I slow to no speed and I reacted and no fire) do you know how old your fuel lines were and I'm assuming you are in a warm plus or hot zone geographically. This makes me very sad for you or anyone so to
EVERYONE CHANGE YOUR FUEL LINES if you don't know how old they are no matter if they seem to be okay. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Last edited by DAIZEE on Fri May 21, 2010 3:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12008 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Isn't the computer under the rear seat? |
1.9's have them in the engine compartment. |
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busheypapa Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: south florida
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:16 pm Post subject: daizee |
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Fuel lines were not that old. I had been having a problem lately with the line busting at the tee that goes to the fuel injectors. I had just looked up new fuel lines last night form van cafe. |
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Russ Wolfe Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 25187 Location: Central Iowa
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Do not use the braided original style line. Even the Conti stuff coming from Germany is only lasting about 6 months.
Get some good Gates or Goodyear hose, that you can buy at your local parts store.
I retired from the OEM fuel system industry about 2 years ago, and all the hose we used, we tested to destruction. The Goodyear and Gates hose will exceed 250 psi before it bursts. _________________ Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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mamayogibear Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2010 Posts: 35
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Russ Wolfe, Do you know what type of fuel lines are avaliable through GoWesty? Do they cary a specific brand or material that makes them superior to the ones I could find at AutoZone or Kragen? I am stoked ask a retired professional a question about somethig that I knnow next to nothing about.... When buying at a local autoparts store is it one size fits all or do I need to get a specific length to make sure I have enough hose to replace all of them?
Thanks a ton |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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X2
Do the a engine swap.
By the time your find replacements for all the crispy parts, you would be well on your way to a Suby or whatever...... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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firepilot Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2009 Posts: 273 Location: Boise
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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VAN - A - GONE
No idea whose it is, it was from New Mexico and a friend sent it to me.
_________________ 86 Westy Syncro |
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Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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syncrodoka wrote: |
Quote: |
Isn't the computer under the rear seat? |
1.9's have them in the engine compartment. |
Thanks. I had forgot that.
You say the vans 'rebuilt'. What is the condition of the engine? If you've rebuilt it recently you might wanna stick with the wbx'er. Otherwise spend your money on an engine swap. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
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Alaric.H Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009 Posts: 2529 Location: Sandy Springs GA
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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Bring it to VA I have a small shop at my house or find a Samba member that can do it on the side that lives closer it would be a lot cheaper than a shop. |
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sbclayton Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2003 Posts: 483 Location: A place where owning a VW and enjoying life are synonymous
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Things might have changed, but I seem to remember that you can't register or legally operate a salvage vehicle in Florida. Which has so far stopped me from looking at salvaged Vanagons from elsewhere. I think if the ins co totals it, it's totaled forever - in Florida, at least. Read up on this before Monday!
In any case, I'd fix it if at all possible. Pics, please. _________________ Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat
Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen. |
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fatboypaul Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2004 Posts: 432 Location: Emeryville, Ca, SF Bay.
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Alaric.H wrote: |
Bring it to VA I have a small shop at my house or find a Samba member that can do it on the side that lives closer it would be a lot cheaper than a shop. |
I totally agree, you gonna need a engine compartment loom out of a wreck, some cleaning materials, and probably a full day of labor. No reason to let this Westy die.
Goodluck, Paul. |
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SCP_Austin Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Tacoma, WA
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: total issue |
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if it gets totaled and you buy it back, you might be able to change the title over to a different name using some of the titling services out there. I know you have to do that with certain old military vehicles our here in washington state because they are technically illegal to title (m151 jeep in particular). there are options, even in Fla |
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sbclayton Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2003 Posts: 483 Location: A place where owning a VW and enjoying life are synonymous
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't a freight train! Here is a website that sheds some light on the salvage issue: http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/salvaged-vehicles.php. Ute, I agree - there may be options, especially if the repairs can be done on the extremely cheap. (Best kind!) _________________ Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat
Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen. |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: van is burnt |
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busheypapa wrote: |
Long time reader first time posting. Well here goes I got an 85 westy. I have rebuilt her she was mechanicaly sound. Took her up and down the east coast last summer, was planning to do the same this summer. The problem is fuel line gave out and she burned pretty good. Insurance company coming Monday to total her. everything in engine compartment is toast. Should I let insurance comp total her or should I try to fix her. Of course the fire department broke two windows. It really did not damage cabinets or fridge or stove, just everything plastic or rubber in the engine compartment. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks
P.S. change your fuel lines |
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