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Tue Aug 06, 2013 7:49 am

I just bought a 1980 vw vanagon westfalia and was referred to this forum. it has some problems, starting with the look I got when I towed it in the driveway, not running because of an engine fire, but there is hope when she realized no more tent. (sort of)

if any of you live in rapid city south Dakota give me a pm I am always in need of advice and can try to help I am mostly a GM guy but have worked on almost everything with a motor.

My first air cooled engine was a hesston swather with a aircooled wisconson.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:18 am

Welcome to the herd.

Pictures always seem to help.

Also, you may wish to review the bay window forum as the last couple of years share a lot in common engine side with the early Vanagon.

Good luck.

It is a journey.....

Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:20 am

Welcome to the samba. If you can post pics and ask specific questions there are folks here who can likely help....

Good luck on your project. I hope you get it running well and enjoy it. :D

(edit: Walt beat me to it)....

Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:53 am

rynodog wrote:
My first air cooled engine was a hesston swather with a aircooled wisconson.

Man, I had to look that one up. Thought it might have been an airplane of some sort (even with a Wiconsin).

Cool machine. I doubt if that air-cooled mill would survive more than a couple of seasons in Arizona...

Welcome and good luck with the project!

Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:39 am

I guess the old "change your fuel lines" is moot here. ;)

Sounds like you likely won't need this, but the Haynes manual for the air cooled Vanagon is pretty decent and usually quite affordable.

Neil.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:55 am

Vanagon Nut wrote: I guess the old "change your fuel lines" is moot here. ;)

Sounds like you likely won't need this, but the Haynes manual for the air cooled Vanagon is pretty decent and usually quite affordable.

Neil.

yes, moot, fire started from muffler shop torching off old muffler but probable original problem was leaking fuel line since the center of the fire was the cold start valve(?). the guy I bought it from thru in a Bentley vw manual that is really helpful and helped make the final sale.

ill try to get some pics up tonight, thanks for the warm welcome from all. advice is appreciated. im hoping to get the van up and going by next spring.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:21 am

Cool. The Bentley rocks.

Is the harness toast? IIRC, the ECU resides in the engine bay. Hopefully it didn't get toasted too.

The air cooled engine electrics aren't enormously complex. If the CSV is toast, depending on local climate, maybe delete? Is that part NLA? Or retro fit a CVS from a CIS or other engine management? I've read of guys wiring in a momentary switch to activate that part for starting only.

Electrical connectors for FI's etc, might be found on other VW's in a bone yard. As has been inferred, the later Bay buses use a 2.0 The Bay crowd will have tips and useful work arounds for any NLA parts.

Neil.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:49 am

take a look and bookmark www.ratwell.com

welcome to the box on wheels..
Dan 1980 formerly air cooled ASI Riviera camper

Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:42 pm

80 aircooled here. I'm pulling for you. Let me know how I can help.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:49 pm

Vanagon Nut wrote: Cool. The Bentley rocks.

Is the harness toast? IIRC, the ECU resides in the engine bay. Hopefully it didn't get toasted too.

The air cooled engine electrics aren't enormously complex. If the CSV is toast, depending on local climate, maybe delete? Is that part NLA? Or retro fit a CVS from a CIS or other engine management? I've read of guys wiring in a momentary switch to activate that part for starting only.

Electrical connectors for FI's etc, might be found on other VW's in a bone yard. As has been inferred, the later Bay buses use a 2.0 The Bay crowd will have tips and useful work arounds for any NLA parts.

Neil.

harness is toast, I found a harness on the Karma board, if its still available, post is 3-4 yrs old. I cant pm anyone until I am a member for a day. don't know about the ecu, I know it wasn't in the fire, I have a before and after I cleaned it up pic if I can figure out how to post it.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:53 pm

Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:57 pm

You CAN do it. My 1981 after my fire looked the same.

After much cleaning, painting, replacing, and a few $$.

Good Luck.

Tue Aug 06, 2013 6:03 pm

Nice before/after shots guys.

The ratwell site Dan points has a page explaining the "double relay" and some speculation on that it may be possible to duplicate using standard relays etc.

Good luck!

Neil.

Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:23 am

Vanagon Nut wrote: Nice before/after shots guys.

The ratwell site Dan points has a page explaining the "double relay" and some speculation on that it may be possible to duplicate using standard relays etc.

Good luck!

Neil.
Thanks, I need it I'm still try to pick up a original harness but ill keep that in mind about the relays I probably even have some in the spare parts drawer

Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:49 am

It looks like the fire damage was mostly to the engine. The chemical in dry extinguishers is a base as opposed to an acid, but it is an extreme base and is as corrosive as an acid. You need to neutralize the base in addition to attacking the rust and paint in the engine compartment.

< blue my favorite color.