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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:22 am Post subject: |
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Thank you all very much.
I will get the expandable bung. I have used them for other things before and had good luck.
I hope I just took it off for winter storage and I come across it soon. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:07 am Post subject: |
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Be careful you don't tighten it up too much or you might split the tank. If the tank splits when it is full, that would be one heck of a mess. _________________ -- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino) |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Timwhy wrote: |
1988-1991 only, I don't think it will work with an 87
according to GW?! |
`87 Was a split model year that used two different caps. One is relatively generic and the other is oddball but one or more of the online vendors carry both. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:40 am Post subject: |
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What is the date of the split? _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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I do not remember at the moment but in the case of our van it did not matteras the build date called for one cap and the tank needed the other. Our van must have been built around the split and Westfalia used what ever parts they had in the bin at the moment. I think I purchased my cap from the Bus Depot as they had just found a supplier at the time and no one else carried them. I have seen a few creative improvised ideas but like using the correct part most of the time. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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westynova Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a Ball Valve from Home Depot. If memory serves me correctly it is a 1 1/2 " National Pipe Thread (NPT). I had the luxury of having the cap. I went into the store and found a pipe that would thread into it and then bought the corresponding Valve. I think it cost $8. I used Plumbers Tape and screwed it on.
I have since removed my Fresh Water Tank as part of an interior conversion.
Here is a picture of the valve.
_________________ 84 Westy
2010 VW Golf TDI Wagon
2009 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, Lifted and Locked |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:46 am Post subject: |
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My fresh water tank drain cap finally cracked after 23 years of use. I went to go order one from GoWesty, and I found that they are out of stock and they aren't sure when they are coming back in.
After reading recommendations in this thread, I drove to West Marine here in Indianapolis to get a 1" T-handle drain plug like this:
Unfortunately, I found to my dismay that any of the 1" drain plugs are too big to fit into the tank drain. The I.D. of the tank drain is between 21-22mm. The O.D. of the 1" drain plug is about 22-23. It's tantalizingly close, but IT WILL NOT WORK. I also noticed that on the back of ALL of the drain plugs at West Marine it says,
"Warning: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Possibly alarmist, but still a bit disconcerting considering that the plug would have constant, direct contact with the water in my tank.
I can't find any of these types of plugs in a smaller size so I'm off to the the hardware store to look for some type of flexible pipe cap that I can use with a hose clamp or some type of pipe-stopper that will fit the I.D.
I need to find some kind of temporary or permanent solution in the next 48 hours. The family and I are going to see Phish at Deer Creek and camping Thursday and Friday night, so I'm open to any suggestions that any one might have. _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:52 am Post subject: |
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I found my cap in the westy drawer
had a crack.
I put a hose clamp around it and put it back on, works fine. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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Crack is fatal. No hose clamp repairs on this one. _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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westynova wrote: |
I bought a Ball Valve from Home Depot. |
I have the exact same Home Depot solution. Mine is also an 84 & some posts think the threads changed along the way so maybe yes, maybe no for you.
The PVC valve was not a perfect fit but close enough that with teflon tape it threaded on far enough to seal w/o buggering the threads on the drain. Has worked fine for about 10 years like that. Much more convenient than the 'cap'. |
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Vanagonner Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2009 Posts: 506 Location: Broomfield Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee or westynova, do you remember about what size that valve needs to be? I have been plugging it from the inside with a cork up to this point, and I like your solution very much. _________________ Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry, I do not recall and am away from the van/brick/wedge/bus for a few days. Westynova thought it was 1.5" and that may very well be right.
You don't have a lot of choices when you get to sizes that big so, if Home Depot isn't a hour away -- buy several sizes and return what doesn't work. Or park in the lot and try them there.
If its an Ace Hardware -- those guys usually let me take stuff out to the car to check it before I buy. Let them hold your credit card if they don't like the look of you.
It will be the size that just sorta threads on. You don't put it on a lot because the threads are not a perfect match (but reeeeal close). Teflon tape on the threads before fitting the valve will help it seal. |
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westynova Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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1 1/2 " National Pipe Thread (NPT) _________________ 84 Westy
2010 VW Golf TDI Wagon
2009 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, Lifted and Locked |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have confirmed (unfortunately) that none of the ball valves will fit the post-86 style water tank. A 1 1/4" ball valve is very close to the correct diameter, but the threads won't even start.
I've been considering ditching the huge tank in favor of a 10 liter MSR Dromedary bag anyway. I currently have the GoWesty hand pump faucet so no need for water storage with a pump. This may spur me to do the conversion sooner rather than later. _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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Vanagonner Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2009 Posts: 506 Location: Broomfield Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys, very nice mod. I love the huge tank, and I'm also glad that an early vanagon has an advantage in something! _________________ Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
westynova wrote: |
I bought a Ball Valve from Home Depot. |
I have the exact same Home Depot solution. Mine is also an 84 & some posts think the threads changed along the way so maybe yes, maybe no for you.
The PVC valve was not a perfect fit but close enough that with teflon tape it threaded on far enough to seal w/o buggering the threads on the drain. Has worked fine for about 10 years like that. Much more convenient than the 'cap'. |
There is a change but it was in `87 though the exact date is unknown and not entirely reliable. Manufacturers will use what is on hand even during a change over and thus vehicles on either side of the change date can have the new or old style item on them. The tank cap for later model vans is not a standard size to any cap or fitting offered in the US. Try Bus Depot they were one of the first to find a source for these and carried both styles when I purchased mine. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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GoWesty has the fresh water drain caps back in stock. Mine is on the way.
On a sidenote, I have begun the process of adding an auxilliary water storage system that uses an 4 Liter MSR Expedition dromedary bag with an MSR spigot cap. I have a "T" into my main water line with a switch. The drom bag snaps onto its line coming off of the "T" with a quick connect. This way I can use the tank for long expeditions or use the drom bag to have smaller amounts of potable water from an easier to fill, cleaner source. _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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Mac_Daddy_Westy Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2011 Posts: 154 Location: San Antonio, Tx
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:17 pm Post subject: fresh water drain cap |
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see pics, it works perfect, the picture is self explanatory.
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Tobias Duncan Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013 Posts: 1388 Location: Taos NM
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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Weed be gone? On a hippie van?
Major faux pas dude...major. |
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indytriple Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2009 Posts: 710 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Classic. I see what you did there. _________________ "See The Glass As Already Broken."
87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig
www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com |
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