TheSamba.com :: View topic - New Eurovan Owner: External Cooler Question

Wed Jun 25, 2025 1:22 pm

Hi, new 2002 MV owner here. This is a long post, so thanks for your patience.

I've had the van for a little less than a month, and things have been smooth. I absolutely love the thing.

I had Trinidad Motors do an overview and things checked out well overall. I am considering an external cooler kit based on what I've read here and elsewhere. Is it safe to assume that the overwhelming recommendation would be to definitely go forward with this addition? the car has been running at a good, even temp since I've had it.

The other question. I was out of town and did not drive the car for nine days. Today I went to start it, and it didn't have any life at all. Jumped okay, but before I even put it in gear to leave the driveway I smelled something that was similar to hot brakes. Thought that was odd. Also, the ABS and ESP lights were on. First time I have seen them.

Perhaps this is related to a battery issue? I don't usually idle the car long before driving it. Today it ran for a couple minutes after the jump before I could put it in gear. By then, the lights were already on.

I appreciate your time and any thoughts you may have here. Thank you.

Wed Jun 25, 2025 1:38 pm

The smell at startup is likely exhaust. These things tend to stink a bit at startup and it will clear up after the start enrichment turns off.

The ABS light, IMO is a common fault that for whatever reason, I cannot seem to turn the light off on the dash.

The ESP, I got nothing for ya on that.

Do install the external trans cooler. The transmission needs all the help it can get to keep cool.

I learned here that the dash temp gauge is kinda useless. They typically read 190°F, no matter what the outside conditions are. When actually the engine coolant and trans temps are outside of the gauge reading capabilities.

I suggest investing in a Scan Gauge II or III to monitor your engine and transmission outside of what the dash gauges read.

Welcome to the madness! :wink:

Wed Jun 25, 2025 2:00 pm

Wow, two new 2002 Weekender members within a week. It's nice to have company!

Ditto to what '67 said.

Abscate will tell you we're silly, but I'm an advocate for getting an external transmission cooler as well. But they're not all created equal, so make sure you do your research.
My own headaches from last year here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=798077&highlight=

It's important to find some way to monitor your transmission temps. ScanGauge or some OBD2 reader is the most accurate.
I put an actual analog gauge in mine.
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/eurovan-adding-a-transmission-temperature-gauge.7492658/

Good for having a permanent dial to look at, though it's about 20F cooler than actual OBD2 readings.

Wed Jun 25, 2025 4:09 pm

Thank you both. I appreciate the information here, along with the helpful discussion links. I am going forward with the external cooler install. I saw a few options mentioned beyond the Go Westy and Pop Top options. Seems like larger is better if possible. Saw a link to a Tru Cool option on Amazon. Solid contender?

And thanks for the info on the temp gauge. I had a feeling that was the case. Seemed a little too good to be true. I think a Scan Gauge purchase is in my future.

I’ve never been a car person in my life. But this van…it has me. I’m in it for the long haul. Or…as long as it will go. I do love this thing.

Thanks again for the info, and happy to join what seems like a cool group of people.

Wed Jun 25, 2025 4:22 pm

I got this cooler. I think that specific TruCool branded model was hard to source, so this was a pretty close duplicate. So far it hasn't exploded on me. Hose clamps can be a source of leak, so I doubled up on these Oetiker-type ones which are much more secure.

Hopefully the Eurovan will entice you to learn some car tinkering. God knows maintenance will be a whole lot cheaper if you can sort things out yourself. A lot of mechanics don't have the inclination to work on our 20+ year old toys.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7BSM1VZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MQ9FX32?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Wed Jun 25, 2025 4:58 pm

Welcome to the cult. Where in So Cal are you? I've may have some helpful mechanics on my list close to you.

Wed Jun 25, 2025 5:00 pm

Welcome to another 2002 Eurovan. You are using a great shop. They have helped me several time is the past 2 years. Angel at Trinidad is first rate, honest and actually *likes* to work on Eurovans.
Yes get a cooler, preferable with the LPD 46*** heat exchanger. On this point, Abscate is off base. For everything else he is a fantastic source.
Yes get a ScanGuage 2 (or 3). If you get it from Bus Depot it will be preprogrammed for the Eurovan codes.
On FB: VW Eurovan Campers, Eurovan Enthusiasts, and several others.
Most of all, enjoy your new-to-you ride.

Wed Jun 25, 2025 11:44 pm

Thanks so much, everyone. All great feedback, and I appreciate the links, @Endopotential.

@samba415, I’m in San Diego. Learned about Trinidad on this forum, so that’s where I’ve been going so far. Would be great to know of any other resources you may have, and it’s much appreciated.

Thanks for the welcome, @OB Bus. Looks like we’re in the same city, and I spent a lot of years in OB/PL. Great to meet you here.

Thanks again, everyone.

Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:03 pm

Trinidad is on my list, but that's about it for San Diego County. I did get a hit last year from the San Diego Reader, but for the life of me I can not get much more than what the article states. Eurovan World. Looks to be in north county, Carlsbad or Vista. Owners name stated in the article: Alex Ficachi. The Reader went online and their website is a mess. The date on the article is Oct 2024.

Upon further reflection, It might be best to focus on VW/Porsche shops that know the VR6 motor AND has a Eurovan mechanic in your county. Given the amount of "surf vans", VW's & Porsches in San Diego, I'm confident there's a shop near you.

My go to SoCal shop is Mike's Foreign Car Inc in Anaheim. Found them by cross referencing the same and calling around...

Thu Jun 26, 2025 10:08 pm

Thanks, Samba415. Yeah, glad to have Trinidad as a local option. And I have looked up Eurovan World. Maybe Oceanside area if I’m not mistaken. Bookmarked them.

Good call on the VW/Porsche shops as potential options. And I’m not opposed to making an Anaheim trip if needed.

I appreciate the info.

Good news, the ABS and ESP lights were nothing. Things just fritzed a bit when I had to jump it. But the 2023 battery being totally dead after only nine days of non-operation…we’ll have to see what that’s about. Overall, things are looking good. I look forward to getting the external cooler in place. Picked up a Scan Guage from Bus Depot today. Gonna try to be as proactive as possible.

Thanks again, everyone.

Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:08 am

jb111 wrote: Thanks, Samba415. Yeah, glad to have Trinidad as a local option. And I have looked up Eurovan World. Maybe Oceanside area if I’m not mistaken. Bookmarked them.

Thanks again, everyone.
Eurovan World is in Lakeside/Santee. I hear from a couple of folks they are good but I have never used them.
BTW both Trinidad and EV World claim that they rebuild auto transmissions.

Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:50 am

OB Bus wrote: Yes get a ScanGuage 2 (or 3). If you get it from Bus Depot it will be preprogrammed for the Eurovan codes.

Hmm... I just ordered a ScanGuage 3 from Advanced Auto Parts this morning. There was a $50 off coupon in the google search.

And a couple hours later I'm reading this. Am I going to wish I'd gotten the special programmed one from Bus Depot instead? Looking at their website I only see ScanGuage 2. Before ordering this morning I saw a youtube video describing the differences between the 2 and 3 and I recall them saying the 3 has wifi, which makes it easier to do software upgrades.

Sat Jun 28, 2025 11:33 am

I’ve heard that the gauge is programmed if you get it from bus Depot. Mine was a gift, probably from Amazon, and I had to do some programming myself. Really not too hard. There’s step-by-step instructions on the realta pages.

Sat Jun 28, 2025 12:06 pm

OB Bus wrote: I’ve heard that the gauge is programmed if you get it from bus Depot. Mine was a gift, probably from Amazon, and I had to do some programming myself. Really not too hard. There’s step-by-step instructions on the realta pages.
Confirmed, the Scan Gauge does come preprogrammed from BusDepot.

Sat Jun 28, 2025 5:34 pm

A few more tidbits for a fellow cultist in SoCal:

https://europarts-sd.com/
Not the end all be all for parts, but a very good local source. They also may have advice about wreaking yards in your region for EV bits and bobs (I do recall an outfit that was in Escondito on CL that had heeps of dead EV's).

Pop Top Heaven's (https://www.poptopheaven.com/) Transmission vendor is A&B Transmission & Automotive Service in San Bernardino. Outside of GTA in Oregon, this would be my go to in the SW for trans work.

As to cooler vs no cooler, I'm in the Abscate camp. I don't have the heavy loads of a EVC and don't venture into the heat of the south west, but I do see the possible needs of others. Abscate, while being in the cool flat-ish NE, towed a sailboat & has a large family. I found his perspective sound and noticed EV folks here had coolers suffering from poor installs and/or faulty connections. Basically, peace of mind vs. how good were the parts or the installer doing the work. Your milage will vary as to your, or previous owners choices.

DO get your transmission serviced full stop. Drain the fluid and change the filter, then drive...

See You Out There

Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:37 am

Use case is important.

You high altitude, massive hill guys need a trans cooler.

Flatland, civilised temperature driving don’t need a cooler.

Colder ATF isn’t always better. The 01P is designed to run at a fixed temperature.

Use synthetic ATF not bought from eBay. And change every 30k

Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:53 am

samba415 wrote:
My go to SoCal shop is Mike's Foreign Car Inc in Anaheim. Found them by cross referencing the same and calling around...

We used Mike's Foreign for the pre purchase inspection. He noted a list of problems which was very useful and helped lower the asking price on the EV. Before we drove it home from Anaheim to San Diego we had Mike's do the repairs and install the GoWesty cooler. Our experience was first rate.

Mon Jun 30, 2025 11:58 am

This information is all gold. Thanks, everyone. Scan Gauge II arriving today from Bus Depot.

Transmission has been fully dialed in and everything has checked out great so far. I am doing the external cooler as well.

One question I have is how often you’re all shifting into 2nd and 3rd. San Diego does have its share of hilly terrain, and I live at the top of a steep one. I have been downshifting when going up the hill after getting some momentum in Drive. As soon as I hit the base of the hill I shift to 3rd.

Probably overthinking things, but want to drive this thing right and keep things running as smoothly as possible.

Thanks again, everyone.

Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:10 pm

It depends on the decent. If it's really steep, I shift into 3rd. If the van is still struggling up the grade, I down shift into 2nd.
I climbed a pretty steep grade last Saturday afternoon and later that night back over the same mountain.
Depending on the loss of momentum loss, I selected the appropriate gear to get the van over the grade.

I've only used 1st one on a logging road last March while searching for a decent campsite. :wink:

Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:59 pm

One trick with the Eurovan automatic transmission, to avoid overheating, is to get a feel for the gears where there torque converter (TC) is locked vs. free.

Often, when driving up a grade at about 50 to 60 mph, it will downshift from "D" into (what I call) gear 3.5, which is the "3" gear ratio but the TC is not locked.

A TC is functionally like two propellers, submerged in transmission fluid facing each other to transmit torque. This works great but involves a lot of friction, which equals heat.

So in practice, when driving on a grade, when I feel the transmission go into gear "3.5" with the TC slipping, and it looks like a long grade, I almost always shift it into gear 3. This locks the TC and reduces the heat load, or so I believe.