HELP: Stranded in San Francisco

Desertbusman · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:34 pm Post subject:

Going from a battery not holding a charge to needing a new engine is one massive big jump. The tractor guy said the engine is a junker but just before that it was great running and had great compression. I think most of us here would really like to take a look at it and see what's wrong and what kind of condition it actually is in. Offhand I would ignore the tractor dude and hope he didn't mess it up. And have a good shop give it a lookover. Big difference between selling a bus basically with no engine and selling one with a good one.
_________________
71 Superbug
71 Westy

blitz18qb · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject:

I don't know that fooling with a $600 used engine will stand you in good stead, I'm sure someone can chime in on this, but to me, that seems like a false economy...

You might be paying $600 for something no better than you have,

If you had 125 compression all around, I would hope that one is salvageable, but once again, I'm a green horn on this...

Craigslist has never offered me any joy here in Sac overall, your right on the spammers!
_________________
Wilma - 1979 Adventurewagen - 2.0 Automatic

SGKent · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:45 pm Post subject:

Photos would help sell it. None of us have a clue what it is like. One bus here is a pending sale for about 6K and a late 60's bay just sold for 5k in patina shape. You might get ahold of Justin at Kombi House as he is downtown and not far from LandPark. They might be able to send someone on a service call to evaluate it. It is pretty hard to go from perfect compression to destroyed on multiple cylinders in this weather unless you had the timing way advanced and were going up 5 at 75mph. You didn't mention billowing clouds of smoke behind you or anything like that so I don't know if I would buy that the engine overheated.
_________________
George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice" Rolling Eyes

Island_Girl · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject:

All very true statements. If it doesn't just sell, i'll give those guys a call to see what their diagnosis is. Right now I just don't have the cash to continue with saving this thing. I'll post some pics up here.
_________________
'68 White Bug
Finally back down to one manageable car :S

Zelten · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject:

Couldn't be as simple as a bad alternator?

SGKent · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject:

Zelten · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:37 pm Post subject:

SGKent · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

I am the suspicious kind and when things like this happen as I always wonder why someone would abandon a bus that might be worth a lot more running and there are still no photos. It always makes me feel like the thread is really a pretext for an ad and next we will hear, "I bought it from a guy who bought it from a guy." Please tell me this isn't what is coming next Island Girl - you do have a clear title on this if one of my buddies here in Sacramento wants to buy it, right? And how big are those holes that need a "little welding." There is no photo in the Craigslist ad either.
_________________
George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice" Rolling Eyes

tubdub · Samba Member Joined: March 29, 2004 Posts: 2274

Island_Girl · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:15 am Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

No suspicions needed, we're just a pair of unrealistic dumb college kids. And there is no need to insult my bf, thank you.

dwill49965 · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:31 am Post subject:

SGKent · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:50 am Post subject:

Ahhh pictures finally -

if the inside is nice and you get it going you could probably get more for it than $2K. Some people from the UK have been in town buying up buses. One just sold for $6K and the other $5K. It looks like it has a little rust but maybe not too bad.

Do you remember if the alternator light would come on when you turned the key? If not your issue could be as simple as a burned out light bulb or broken wire. The alternator won't charge if that bulb is bad or disconnected.
_________________
George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice" Rolling Eyes

static · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:54 pm Post subject:

To me, it just really doesn't sound that serious. If I were them, I would call in some Aircooled rescue squad types or bring it to a reputable shop in Sacramento such as Stephen's. Don't sell it.

CookingRock · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject:

Island_Girl · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I think you guys are right. Talked with bf, we're going to try and find a better solution than selling it. I have to wait until I sell my vanagon to get the money to play with.
_________________
'68 White Bug
Finally back down to one manageable car :S

CookingRock

Island_Girl:

About 40 miles north of Sacramento is a little (former) mining town called Auburn, California. There is a machine shop there owned by Ray and Marty Valero. They might not be the cheapest team in town to work on your bus, but you will definitely get what you pay for.

I strongly recommend them and here is their URL: http://valleros.com/default.asp

Full disclosure here, I'm in no way related to nor do I have a business interest in this recommendation, although I did purchase a bus from them in the fall of last year that was a solid buy. There was a large degree of awkwardness in the transaction due to titling and transportation and they handled the whole affair with grace, aplomb and patience. Upon this experience, I base this recommendation. Plus they maintain a clean, organized shop and have absolutely no problem talking in great detail about the work your vehicle will require.

So, good luck with all that. I hope you sell your Vanagon sold and get your Westy back on the road.

Peace.

Desertbusman · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject:

Island_Girl · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:07 am Post subject:

Well, there's a conclusion to this story. The van sat down in Sacramento over the summer and most of the fall. I've been working my ass off saving money for school, but finally organized a rescue mission. Rented a towbar off a cool guy in Richmond, and my parents graciously offered to go down and tow it back north. They have a bigger vehicle with a tow hitch, so it made sense (I offered to do it, but I get the feeling they don't trust me with their $$$pricey$$$ ride). They went down, got it, and returned north without a problem. It is now sitting by the curb waiting for us to do something with. I'll clean her up a bit and bring her by a good shop to see what's up. Then hopefully sell her on to the next nutter young couple.

On a side note, bf bought a '86 GTI, and had it pop a fuse first day. It blows one every time he starts it, which I've suggested is a problem in the electrical system overloading. He's just so done with cars, I think the next one will be a ten year old toyota (which might not be that bad, really) Confused

.
_________________
'68 White Bug
Finally back down to one manageable car :S


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Premium Membership \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: Previous 1, 2
Page 2 of 2