Official lazy person's stupid question thread

[lobsterguy]

I am in a similar position of the poor OP on this thread.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

My new rod bearings came in from GoWesty and I am going to attempt to replace them this afternoon. Could anyone point me toward a good step by step for that? I have looked all over the internet and Bentley but haven't found anything definitive about getting to the bearings themselves. Is this a job that requires dropping the engine? Am I just removing the head?

Jasper
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2.1L 1987 Manual Westy

[AndyBees]

@lobsterguy

Replacing the rod bearings is not going to be an afternoon job.

The cost of the necessary gasket kits (one for each side of the engine) will be a lot more expense than what you paid for the rod bearings.

-Drain coolant
-Drain the oil
-Remove Fuel Injection wiring
-Remove Fuel Injection hoses/pipes
-Remove Intake and associated bits
-Remove associated accessories, such as alternator, etc.
-Remove plug wires
-Remove valve covers
-Remove Rockers
-Pull push rods
-Remove Exhaust system
-Remove anything bolted to the heads, including hoses
-Remove the heads

From there, sliding off the water jackets/cylinders is something I've never done on a WBXer engine. As I understand, it is not an easy endeavor, especially if you want to keep the pistons in the cylinders to maintain their relationship.

If I were doing this job, I'd remove the engine and go to the bottom (split the case), especially, if I was seeing bits in the oil per the thread you linked.

Others will chime-in.
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'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.

[lobsterguy]

Thanks for the note Andy. I figured it would take longer than an afternoon anyways. I have a remarkable ability to make jobs last 10x what they should. My mom says its a talent. I'll get cracking on it and might be back here with questions along the way. Pulling the engine seems like the more through job, but worth it. I appreciate the advice.

Jasper
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2.1L 1987 Manual Westy

[shadetreemech]

So, a California catalytic convertor I got on sale a few years back and installed 4 years ago makes a sound like a loose metal disc rattling around. Doesn't make the sound once its up to road temp.

The question is , what to do? Possibilities range between replace the cat (just passed smog) to do nothing. That sound bugs me.
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'84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
'88 Westy - "MZDRTHY"

[Red Ryder]

[BCE56]

[Wildthings]

[latelogan]

Rm182 fridge on 12VDC.

I upgraded my house power system, and the fridge now works as good as it gets in all three modes.

on 12VDC it got to 30F overnight from my full 100AH lipo. (load was 4.9 amps) IIR the 12VDC runs flat out with no control.

I am wondering if anyone has put a thermostat control on the 12VDC to limit try and control the temp with it?

I am thinking of modifying the 120 VAC thermostatic control with a relay to switch both 12 and 120 at the same time.

it could be a fools errand, but I'm wondering if its possible run it off of solar and cycle the 12VDC rather than flat out (target 1/3 less power consumption cycling at 40F)
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1991 Westy stock 2.1 auto transmission
1978 Westy (Sold)
1971 Westy (Sold)

[fxr]

You could add an Inkbird or equivalent temperature controller. Use two separate relays for the 12V and 120V though.


e.g. there's this: https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Thermostat-Controller-DROK-Temperature/dp/B07GQPT9VG?th=1

Use its relay for the 12V and also to control a relay with 120V capable contacts.
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[ProbablyNotIan]

Looking to add an auxiliary fuse box to my van. I have a couple of accessories that I would like to be able to run off the battery and I want everything to be guarded. I do eventually plan on adding a house battery/solar/all that jazz, but right now I just need a couple of auxiliary 12v circuits.

What gauge wire do I need to run from the battery to the fuse block?

The current plan is that this will live under the drivers seat, so I'll need to be able to go from the starter battery to this block.

[VicVan]

[Crooked Designer]

[Chris-a]

Raising driver seat height? Thought I saw a thread but can’t find it.

I pulled the swivel mechanism from my drivers seat because I never swivel that seat and I wanted to put my starting battery in that compartment. That worked breat for the battery. Now then I find my knees would like that 1” or so of height I lost, and if the seat was slightly higher I could recline a smidge more before the back hits the cabinet/sink.

Thinking if i can find some corresponding female seat rails I could weld some 1” or 3/4 square tubing spacers to those and then weld that whole assembly to the rails of my seat. Or vice versa might be better and weld to van body rails….

Anyways, no need to reinvent if its been documented already.
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----------------------------

I gotta have nice tools, just look at the cars I drive.

Current: 87 Syncro AHU Tdi Westy'ish?
Previous: 77 Westy, 72 Tin Top Camper, 69 Passenger

[snuf]

[Crooked Designer]

[maco70]

Hi to all,

If I run the engine, let’s say for 200 km, with a lifter unaligned with the pushrod, can I damage the engine, or it will be simply noisy.

I am not sure at all that I have an unaligned pushrod, but certainly I still have a noisy lifter and I plan to give it a ride on the highway to Quebec city to try to get it charge with oil.

Best Regards,

Martin
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[Wildthings]

[4Gears4Tires]

If my radiator has 17 inside 2 circles stamped near the bleed bolt, that means it's production date is 2017, right?
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[4Gears4Tires]

If someone (dunno who) goes to the propane fill station and they try to fill the propane tank of their Westy and it takes no propane but the tank gets super cold and starts dripping condensation, is the tank already filled?
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[coloradolife]