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0to60in6min Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006 Posts: 3454 Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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AndyBees Samba Member

Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2579 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Camshaft Sensor Signal Wire Correct Voltage |
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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 _________________ '84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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RicMcK  Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2023 Posts: 205 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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? _________________ Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - long gone. |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52085
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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. |
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RicMcK  Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2023 Posts: 205 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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? _________________ Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - long gone. |
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fxr Samba Member

Joined: December 07, 2014 Posts: 2608 Location: Bay area CA
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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/ _________________ Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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BCE56 Samba Member

Joined: July 16, 2013 Posts: 381 Location: So Cal
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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What might be the source of vibration at freeway speeds- 55-62 MPH?
Not detected above or below those speeds. _________________ =BCE56=
'86 Syncro tintop
EJ22, OBD II early SC adapter plate conversion
Side project: '69 Frankenbug "It's alive!" |
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dhaavers Samba Member

Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 8264 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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!
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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dhaavers Samba Member

Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 8264 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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.
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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RicMcK  Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2023 Posts: 205 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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!
- 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. _________________ Rick McK
Seattle
89 Westfalia-2.2L WBX
2006 TDI Jetta
1936 Ford Pick up
70 tin top, 700k mi when sold in 91
58 split window bug - long gone. |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52085
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 3:45 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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. |
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fxr Samba Member

Joined: December 07, 2014 Posts: 2608 Location: Bay area CA
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 11:00 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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. _________________ Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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SCM Samba Member

Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3328 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2025 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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LarsHepping Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2020 Posts: 27 Location: Deep in the woods
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 6:18 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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? |
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AndyBees Samba Member

Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2579 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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. _________________ '84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful. |
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bobbyblack  Samba Member

Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4600 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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! _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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do.dah Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 769 Location: Washington
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Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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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! |
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8119 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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do.dah wrote: |
My question; What do you think I could do to soften and stretch the gasket just a little?
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Feed it Twinkies?
_________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 4019 Location: MD
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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What went here in this keyhole? I don't remember and I am not finding anything to go there in my pile o parts. _________________ '87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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dhaavers Samba Member

Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 8264 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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^^^ Is this under the dash? …or the front seat? Some context could help…
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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