TheSamba.com :: View topic - Official lazy person's stupid question thread

Wed May 14, 2025 2:23 pm

KjStars93...

You should put your question in the Samba Eurovan forum...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=48

Wed May 14, 2025 3:10 pm

KjStars93 wrote: Hello all,

I’m glad I found this thread because I wasn’t sure how or where to post. This is for a eurovan vr6 and I believe this is my first post. I’m at my wits end trying to diagnose a cam sensor code. Right now my highest suspect is the signal wire to it which reads a consistent 1v less than battery voltage, changing with whatever battery voltage is at at that time. Inspecting further, my ground and 5v reference are dead w voltage readings and all wires 1ohm resistance to pcm with it disconnected . My understanding is it should be P0345 “indicates a malfunction in the Camshaft Position Sensor A circuit, specifically on Bank 2. This means the ECM(PCM) is receiving an inconsistent or no signal from this sensor. Possible causes include a bad camshaft position sensor, wiring issues, or problems with the timing components.” Really hoping it’s not a timing issue as I don’t hear barely any timing chain noise vs my 3.2 v6. Would anyone know or be able to tell me what theirs reads with ignition on and sensor disconnected? I want to get my eurovan back on the road and keep it out of the graveyard. Thanks to all

Welcome to the Samba.

Your question(s) would likely get more attention in this group for the Eurovan https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=48

Wed May 14, 2025 4:02 pm

I have a 2.2L WBX (with a big oil pump) with about 6K miles on it. My #2 exhaust lift collapses if I don't run the engine every week. I've replaced the lifter once and it still has the same issue? It fully pumps up in about 2-4 minutes at idle. I'm running 20/50 conventional oil. I'm planning to switch to 10/60 Red Line at the next oil change.

Do I live with it and wish it was OK, or is there something I should/can do about it?

Wed May 14, 2025 4:24 pm

RicMcK wrote: I have a 2.2L WBX (with a big oil pump) with about 6K miles on it. My #2 exhaust lift collapses if I don't run the engine every week. I've replaced the lifter once and it still has the same issue? It fully pumps up in about 2-4 minutes at idle. I'm running 20/50 conventional oil. I'm planning to switch to 10/60 Red Line at the next oil change.

Do I live with it and wish it was OK, or is there something I should/can do about it?

You lifters will likely work better with a thinner oil like a 5w30 or 5w40 synthetic, with the 5w** oil letting the lifters pump up faster and keeping them from leaking down as readily, while the synthetic keeps your lifters and engine in general cleaner inside. Unless your bearing clearances are very loose a 5w30 is going to be all you need viscosity wise.

Wed May 14, 2025 4:36 pm

Motor is good and tight great oil pressure at idle. I will try the synthetic at my next oil change. Do I need to worry about zddp levels?

Wed May 14, 2025 5:36 pm

LarsHepping wrote: Stupid question: I have a leaky open/closed valve on my propane tank. I want to replace it but my tank is pretty full. My guess is I have to empty the tank before replacing the valve. Do I have to empty it? How so? Or can I just replace the valve? I definitely don’t want an explosion or a face full of propane. Just release the propane - it isn't considered a greenhouse gas:

https://www.kauffmangas.com/blog/propane-vs-natural-gas-what-you-need-to-know-about-going-green/

Wed May 14, 2025 6:58 pm

What might be the source of vibration at freeway speeds- 55-62 MPH?
Not detected above or below those speeds.

Wed May 14, 2025 8:47 pm

RicMcK wrote: Motor is good and tight great oil pressure at idle. I will try the synthetic at my next oil change. Do I need to worry about zddp levels?
Yup, zinc is essential. Plenty of reading on this subject…

Re: Lifter noise, I’m not the only one who’s been happy with adding just 4oz. Marvel Mystery Oil with each oil change, keeps ‘em quiet like a baby. Quite a bit of posting on this subject as well!

8)

- Dave

Wed May 14, 2025 8:50 pm

BCE56 wrote: What might be the source of vibration at freeway speeds- 55-62 MPH?
Not detected above or below those speeds.
Tires choppy? I just ditched a set that would sing like the angels above 55mph.

This new set I GOTTA remember to rotate every oil change…definitely. :oops:

- Dave

Wed May 14, 2025 10:04 pm

dhaavers wrote: RicMcK wrote: Motor is good and tight great oil pressure at idle. I will try the synthetic at my next oil change. Do I need to worry about zddp levels?
Yup, zinc is essential. Plenty of reading on this subject…

Re: Lifter noise, I’m not the only one who’s been happy with adding just 4oz. Marvel Mystery Oil with each oil change, keeps ‘em quiet like a baby. Quite a bit of posting on this subject as well!

8)

- Dave

Dave. Thanks. I will add some Mystery oil and hear what it does.

I've looked through the zddp thread(s) earlier, and I'm still confused about it. Do you have any suggestions on how much ZDDP should be add to the new style synthetic oils like Red Line? As some say too much can be just as bad, as not enough.

Thu May 15, 2025 3:45 am

RicMcK wrote:
I've looked through the zddp thread(s) earlier, and I'm still confused about it. Do you have any suggestions on how much ZDDP should be add to the new style synthetic oils like Red Line? As some say too much can be just as bad, as not enough.

The zinc thing is pretty dated any more. 20+ years ago they lowered the allowable level of ZDDP to keep phosphorous from harming the catalytic converters, but this caused a problem with cam wear in some engines. Note that there was never any restriction on zinc, zinc is just easier to remember and spell than phosphorous. Since that time they have added other antiwear additives to the oil and more highly refined the ZDDP molecules to select for the ones that are less volatile so less ZDDP is needed from the get go. Most motor oils have around 800 ppm ZDDP and some have more. Avoid the hype as some additives like the red STP oil treatment which some people add to their oil to increase the ZDDP actually will LOWER it. I worried about ZDDP levels 15-20 years ago but don't worry about them today.

"High Mileage" oils used to have more ZDDP than regular oils, but aren't all that available any more. Racing oils will also have more ZDDP as will Diesel oils.

Thu May 15, 2025 11:00 am

BCE56 wrote: What might be the source of vibration at freeway speeds- 55-62 MPH?
Not detected above or below those speeds.
Tyre balance. Just off enough to set up sympathetic resonance in suspension components.

Thu May 15, 2025 11:27 am

fxr wrote: LarsHepping wrote: Stupid question: I have a leaky open/closed valve on my propane tank. I want to replace it but my tank is pretty full. My guess is I have to empty the tank before replacing the valve. Do I have to empty it? How so? Or can I just replace the valve? I definitely don’t want an explosion or a face full of propane. Just release the propane - it isn't considered a greenhouse gas:

https://www.kauffmangas.com/blog/propane-vs-natural-gas-what-you-need-to-know-about-going-green/

It IS a simple asphyxiant that's heavier than air though so it would be good not to release it in a topographic depression on a calm day.

I emptied my old tank in the backyard during a very cold and windy winter day - mostly to be sure no neighbors would be outside to become concerned about the smell.

Fri May 16, 2025 6:18 am

fxr wrote: LarsHepping wrote: Stupid question: I have a leaky open/closed valve on my propane tank. I want to replace it but my tank is pretty full. My guess is I have to empty the tank before replacing the valve. Do I have to empty it? How so? Or can I just replace the valve? I definitely don’t want an explosion or a face full of propane. Just release the propane - it isn't considered a greenhouse gas:

https://www.kauffmangas.com/blog/propane-vs-natural-gas-what-you-need-to-know-about-going-green/

Interesting! So just remove the tank, put it somewhere safe, open the valve, and let it out?

Fri May 16, 2025 6:38 am

For what it is worth, although not the same gas, but around the Earth, practically every body of water releases methane into the atmosphere 24/7.

Fri May 16, 2025 7:12 am

It is worth a lot, of course. But, its more chicken-egg like than that.. Water -> microbes -> gasses -> world that was uninhabitable for things like us right now becomes habitable after a long time -> we lay another egg? -> ? -> ? -> profit!

Thu May 22, 2025 12:08 pm

Hopefully, can get some guidance or ideas on how to address my stupid little issue.
Late model van.
Recently noticed my original round VW hatch emblem was separating from the hatch.
Turns out the rubber gasket that the emblem sits in, has shrunken, and the top part of the gasket has harden some, so the whole thing won't fit flush in the indentation of the hatch.
Both the emblem and gasket cleaned up and look brand new.

My question; What do you think I could do to soften and stretch the gasket just a little?
Heat it with a hair dryer at the same time pulling and stretching?
Soak it for a day or 2 in something like ATF? Or ATF with "stop leak"?
Soak it in just motor oil or motor oil with "stop leak"?
Any other ideas?
Thanx!

Thu May 22, 2025 12:53 pm

do.dah wrote:
My question; What do you think I could do to soften and stretch the gasket just a little?

Feed it Twinkies?

Wed May 28, 2025 11:29 am

What went here in this keyhole? I don't remember and I am not finding anything to go there in my pile o parts.

Wed May 28, 2025 8:21 pm

^^^ Is this under the dash? …or the front seat? Some context could help…

- Dave