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Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:23 am

Hi All,

My wife and I have recently become proud owners of an 87 Vanagon. Still very new to these cars (and working on cars, in general). Please help a novice out! I noticed that this wasn't plugged in and had some sort of spot around it. It did not smell like gasoline or oil. Anyone know what it is?

Thank You!

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Sun Jan 19, 2020 1:03 am

Looks like the bleeder on your clutch slave?

Sun Jan 19, 2020 1:54 am

Get a bleeder cap and put it over the end of the bleeder to keep dirt and corrosive materials out of the bleeder. This will save you headaches down the road.

First though you should read up on flushing the brakes and the clutch hydraulic systems to get fresh fluid into your brake lines. Flushing the brake lines is something that needs to be done every couple of years. You should also verify that your rubber brake lines aren't still the originals as they age with time which can create serious safety issues.

Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:10 am

Welcome to the Vansylum.

Before you get a bleeder cap,you need to inspect your fuel lines in your engine , and replace anything that looks over 5 years old.

Look in this forum for threads, take pictures, and seek guidance

No trips until you do this , except for sitting in the driveway with the engine off going “ Vroom!”

Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:00 am

Welcome to the InVanity of the lifestyle!

Every question you have and the ones you haven't thought of yet you will find the answers here.
Your local Auto parts store will have a rubber cap to cover that bleed port.

The bit about getting your old rubber fuel lines replaced is not idle thoughts. It should be something you do before anything else.

The fuel lines are the Achilles Heel of the Vanagon. They can rot from the inside out and look fine on the outside - change them for new!
This is why:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9123663

Don't be afraid of a fire, just learn the fastest way to deal with it.

You can find them here:
https://www.vancafe.com/VCfuellinereplacementkit-p/vcfuellinereplacementkit.htm

You have the 4 best auto parts stores in the country available to you:
Van Cafe, GoWesty, Bus Depot.& Vanagain and a host of other owners running their own specialized businesses which you find out here in the forum.

Of course, we really don't believe you have a Vanagon until we see pictures of it like these
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=312076&highlight=wilderness

Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:03 am

You'll find many bleeder screws on your Vanagon. All associated with the hydraulic system, clutch and brakes.

Here's how they work.......

https://motofaction.org/mechanical-101/how-does-brake-bleed-bleeder-screw-work/

Dave

Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:05 am

Also, depending on where in CA you are, there are often other experienced vanagon enthusiasts in your area who would gladly stop by to help or advise if you ask!

Hans

Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:47 am

Thank you all for your help! So glad I joined this forum. You guys are a wealth of information!