Westy water tank cover inside the bins: screws to magnets

[Sodo]

After 25 years..... no more unscrewing this cover to fill the water tank.

Just lifting it from here on out.

I was twisting the screws with my fingers, not using a screwdriver.
But still wanted to be absolved of the task.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[tjet]

Great idea

I did the same thing with my dash cover on another vehicle. I also glued magnets on the underside of the dash for extra hold.

No way was I going to use those sticky velcro things on a nice dashboard

[ledogboy]

Great solution! I hate those fiddly screws- this is on my to do list now. Gotta love a cheap mod!
_________________
1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[Sodo]

After sticking on those foam blocks that keep it from scooting around.....
it occurred to me that I could have glued on a 3/4" plywood 'plug' that drops into the hole.
And the weight of the block would hold the cover down.

The real solution is to modify the outside filler and make it better than opening the bins.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[crazyvwvanman]

My approach is to move the filler hose end to inside the other compartment.

Mark

[kamzcab86]

[markswagen]

l'm confused, l've NEVER had to fill the water tank from the inside, the stock filler neck in the side of the van, has always worked as intendeded.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[DanHoug]

i ALWAYS fill from the screw on port! it allows me to spray the tank down on the inside, removing a layer of slime and to check cleanliness of everything as well as level light operation. plus, i don't like rinsing whatever critters are hiding in the fill port down into the tank.

as far as the metal cover, i keep the back screw in place, somewhat loose, and have removed all others. it just swings to the side and swings back. never moves while driving.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Sodo]

Same here.
Regarding “one screw & swinging the cover”
That’s pretty obvious when your “van style” is to empty the bin between trips.
But you gotta remember to fill the water before your wife starts packing the bins like a Tetris game.

But we leave stuff in there full time.
You can scoot the cover underneath some contents,
But theres always something blocking rotation,
where its actually easier to just remove the 2nd screw.

I use fingers, no tool.

Sometimes I’m unscrewing while holding the dripping, anxious, and consequential garden spayer nozzle in the other hand.

Always worried that I will knock a screw or two down into the hole.

AND,
whenever I do this task I’m thinking:
“hey magnets would be better than screws”.

But I’m usually getting ready for a trip,
last-minute filling
Sometimes rinsing, or scrubbing,
or maybe even bleaching the tank…..
so not in the mood for a project.

This time was different.
I was procrastinating.
So I did what many of us do, start a Westy project.

Then realized that the magnets don’t really prevent it from scooting
So I had to add the neoprene blocks,
Which, despite being conveniently Westy Gray,
we’re not aesthetically pleasing.

Gravity could be better than magnets.
(A heavy wood block that loosely engages the hole)
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[mtnhome]

Agree that the screws are a pain. I had a little different take. I usually fill with a hose when I'm at home and getting ready for a trip since I have a hose right there.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9926821&highlight=#9926821

_________________
'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight=

[danielheff]

My modification was suggested by someone else here on thesamba. A pop rivet in each of the screw holes and then enlarge the hole in the wood to fit the backside of the rivet. Has worked great for years.

@Mark - I often am filling up my tank with water from a filtered water station in 5 gallon bottles so it’s much easier to dump that through the large hole on top rather than rigging something to fill from the side.
_________________
'70 Squareback 1835cc
'85 Vanagon GL Camper, EJ22, Peloquin Diff, Burley rear disc brakes, SC big front brakes, Espar D2L, 250ah Lifepo4
'85.5 944 NA

[Sodo]

Much better Mr Heff.
Could enlarge the holes to engage the original screwheads.
Perhaps glue the screws in, but half-a-thread up.
Kittens wouldn’t even raise a brow.

And the Pop-Rivet solution. I understand much better with Andy’s pics.
That’s probably real secure.

I’m curious about Kamz mention of the GoWesty solution. Got pics?
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[kamzcab86]

[fishgo]

[kamzcab86]

[vanis13]

[Rorke]

Instant purchase! Thanks man.

(I feel from the outside, so I don’t make a mess. However, I always view from inside, so I know that I’m filling up appropriately)

[vanis13]

[vanis13]

[kamzcab86]