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imdbui Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Aloha, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:16 pm Post subject: Acquired Westy 2000mi away... Advice??? |
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Hi I recently purchased a 86' Syncro Westy - sight unseen. Looks unmodified, with ~200k on the original motor, basic maintenance on a daily driver according to the seller.
I originally arranged transport to have her shipped from Tulsa, OK ---> Portland, OR. Was notified yesterday by the shipper that they can't accommodate the transport anymore because their route changed.
Frustrated , I said to myself, "I'll just go get it myself!" and booked a last minute, one-way flight to Tulsa - as it being a holiday weekend and I have the days off.
Now I'm thinking of all the potential risks of driving a van halfway across the country, that I know nothing about, a distance I've never traveled.
-So I'm asking, what do I need to worry about?
-What should I bring?
-Anywhere I should stop along the way?
-Any advice will be taken and appreciated
Thanks! |
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Corwyn Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009 Posts: 2230 Location: Olympia, Washington
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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Before you drive it:
1. Replace the fuel lines
2. AAA Premium
3. Read more here, because there are plenty of concerns. _________________ '90 White Westy ("Knarr")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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imdbui Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Aloha, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Corwyn wrote: |
Before you drive it:
1. Replace the fuel lines
2. AAA Premium
3. Read more here, because there are plenty of concerns. |
Thanks Corwyn,
I've read about fuel lines and was planning on following this: http://www.benplace.com/fuel_line.htm
Still need to source a parts store for the right hose/clamps |
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slobrewer Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2013 Posts: 65 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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Corwyn wrote: |
Before you drive it:
1. Replace the fuel lines
2. AAA Premium
3. Read more here, because there are plenty of concerns. |
Good advice though the fuel lines is probably overkill if it really was a daily driver. Do them ASAP but I wouldn't kill myself in a parking lot getting them changed over before driving her home.
To the list I'd add that you should definitely carry a cell phone and stick to a route that is well populated even if it's a little longer. There's nothing worse than breaking down in the middle of the Sonoran desert in 100 degree weather 30 minutes outside of Gila Bend. You know, just as an example that most definitely didn't happen to me after buying a daily driver 1976 BMW 2002...
Check your fluids at the start of your trip and at every stop. I'd bring along (or buy in Tulsa) a nice metric toolset and a basic selection of screw drivers, pliers, bailing wire, duct tape, etc.
Good luck and keep us posted! _________________ White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap) |
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jslew Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Trinidad, CO
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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I made a similar trip a couple of years ago. Flew in and drove an '89 tin-top from Boise back to Denver in 100 deg heat. I made it, but looking back i don't know how. Ridges for valve keepers were GONE - could have dropped a valve at any time! Fuel lines were cracked, still had original coolant hoses (240K miles). Having rebuilt the engine and replaced the whole coolant system, I've learned there's just too many things that can go wrong. Would i do it again? No way!
However, it was a blast and makes an awesome story. And if you break down, you'll prob make some new friends. Just get the vanagon rescue squad app and plan your route accordingly.
Good luck! Keep us updated - i love a good road trip story _________________ Current Garage:
'67 Cal Look Bug
'70 Westy
'73 Baja
'74 Spec Ed Love Bug - my first car bought in '86!
'89 Vanagon GL
'92 Corrado SLC |
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2713 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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I was watching this one on ebay, nice buy!
There is more than one shipping company out there! Just remember it's nearly 100* F around SLC right now... Drive slow and don't push it! _________________ 1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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slobrewer Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2013 Posts: 65 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, and if you do eventually break down somewhere consider renting a Ryder truck and trailer to pull her the rest of the way home. It won't be cheap in terms of one-way rental and gas but it will likely be cheaper and faster than trying to track down transport for a non-running vehicle. _________________ White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap) |
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imdbui Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Aloha, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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slobrewer wrote: |
Corwyn wrote: |
Before you drive it:
1. Replace the fuel lines
2. AAA Premium
3. Read more here, because there are plenty of concerns. |
Good advice though the fuel lines is probably overkill if it really was a daily driver. Do them ASAP but I wouldn't kill myself in a parking lot getting them changed over before driving her home.
To the list I'd add that you should definitely carry a cell phone and stick to a route that is well populated even if it's a little longer. There's nothing worse than breaking down in the middle of the Sonoran desert in 100 degree weather 30 minutes outside of Gila Bend. You know, just as an example that most definitely didn't happen to me after buying a daily driver 1976 BMW 2002...
Check your fluids at the start of your trip and at every stop. I'd bring along (or buy in Tulsa) a nice metric toolset and a basic selection of screw drivers, pliers, bailing wire, duct tape, etc.
Good luck and keep us posted! |
My plan was to bring hoses and clamps just in case, and if PO never addressed them, make an on sight decision on doing them in an Autozone parking lot . PO is aware of my trip, and mentioned driving to Denver and Arizona last year without issues - will also have fluids changed before I arrive.
I will pack a "mechanic" craftsman set and tape. I was also thinking of flying with my jump starter/air compressor, but I don't think TSA will allow me to.
Thanks slobrewer! Hopefully I can report back with good news. |
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atomatom Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2012 Posts: 1867 Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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as the previous owner has your money now, perhaps ask them if they'd do it? what was the longest trip they took recently?
aside from 1000 other things, what often kills vans on the long drive home is running it on the highway for hours at 'normal' speed.
take it easy on the poor van and hopefully luck will smile on you.
you might bring: an IR thermostat (to check the temperature of the thermostat housing - should be ~190oF warmed up), a 13mm wrench/spanner to bleed the radiator, enough water to refill the cooling system if it dumps on you, various bits of hose/metal pipe to do side of road fixes, duct tape, oil, a trailer... _________________ 84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada. |
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kbeefy Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2006 Posts: 600 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Roadtrip! _________________ 86 syncro CHC, NorthWesty subbie 2.5, decoupler, locker, custom interior, 225/75r16 Duratrack's on CLK's, Toyo cabin heater, ARB fridge, 300w Zamp Solar, Gowesty bumpers/skid/rails, Fiama awning
'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.
2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover
2006 Subbie OBXT
2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4
1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9
http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/ |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9895 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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hans j wrote: |
..... Drive slow and don't push it! |
This, this, a thousand times this!!
60 mph will likely get you home much sooner than 70 mph.
Mark |
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Howesight Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008 Posts: 3260 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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I suggest that you:
- buy a fire extinguisher;
- always have the rear hatch unlocked when driving in case you need quick access to the engine compartment (electrical fire, etc)
- check all fluid levels and repeat frequently;
- carry coolant, distilled water and oil;
- get some generic heater hose, clamps, splices, "just in case";
- Get some generic rad hose, clamps, splices etc for the same reason;
- Get a proper oil filter (Mann brand) and change the oil putting in Mobil 1 15W40 or, better yet, 20W50 oil. This viscosity will keep the oil pressure up in your tired engine.
- keep your speed 65 mph or less. This keeps revs down to around 3,500 rpm which helps prevent connecting rod breakage on your long trip. It also places less load on the engine in hot ambient conditions. If the engine has never been rebuilt before, heave a sigh of relief - - the factory WBX engines that have not been "rebuilt" do not contain re-used connecting rod bolts and are less likely to self-destruct for that reason. Mine went 225,000 miles before I removed it, still running, to install a Subaru engine.
- remove the driveshaft. You can do this even without raising the vehicle. Two 13mm open-end wrenches are required. This eliminates a possible failure point - - and the interstates never require 4WD.
- buy and carry the proper Continental v-belts;
- if you can, grab and carry as spares the following hard-to-get-in-Nebraska items:
1. the oil-cooler-to-block gasket;
2. the rubber hoses that attach to the oil cooler;
3. a spare water pump and thermostat.
- carry basic hand tools and a cheap 12V tire air compressor and an LED wand light; _________________ '86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9775 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Acquired Westy 2000mi away... Advice??? |
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imdbui wrote: |
...So I'm asking,
-what do I need to worry about?
-What should I bring?
-Anywhere I should stop along the way? |
Good point about checking fluids at every gas stop. also sniff the air behind the license plate for unwanted smells (fuel or coolant).
Do not overfill the oil -- in fact most of these engines do better well below the 'full' mark, say half way between the marks.
It's probably too late to get your hands on a Bentley manual but you could print this off and have much of the important stuff covered:
Digifant ProTraining Manual
Money, a cell phone and AAA Premier 200 mile tows) are all good to have.
Have a back-up plan for what you will do if 'failure to proceed' occurs. May just be the names and numbers of a couple of car-haulers you have spoken to.
FWIW -- I have always shipped my long-distance purchases. Every one of them came with issues the seller didn't know or chose not to reveal. Not one of them would have gotten me a hundred miles down the road w/o a problem. Hope yours is the exception.
Stay in touch -- good luck.
Last edited by Ahwahnee on Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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imdbui Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Aloha, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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wow thanks for the responses samba!
@jslew Thanks, I'm always in search of a great road trip, but limited with my work schedule. I did think that this was a golden opportunity... but then my rational brain kicked in and got my palms sweaty... (what did I get myself into!?)
@hans j Thanks! I thought someone would recognize it. Were you the one bidding against me? I did keep a bid up on uship.com, but I think that it being the 4th, the prices I got this week were 30% higher than last week.
@slowbrewer @atomatom Yes, the trailer is my plan B, that is still an option.
I'm not in a hurry, so I will definitely be taking it easy and paying attn to how she's handling the road.
My route right now:
-PDX -> Tulsa (Air) Friday 1pm
-Tulsa -> Denver by Saturday 12am
*visiting a friend in Denver, let the van cool off, do checks
-Denver -> Boise by Saturday night
-Boise -> Portland Sunday afternoon |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7733 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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rcook52459 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2011 Posts: 492 Location: PORTLAND ORE
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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enjoy the ride home is the most important and just take it easy.you'll make it and congrat's. you're goin have a lot of fun with it. _________________ 85 westy tiico conversion.auto trans triumph TR250 1980 Suzuki GS1000l |
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imdbui Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Aloha, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Howesight wrote: |
I suggest that you:
- buy a fire extinguisher;
- always have the rear hatch unlocked when driving in case you need quick access to the engine compartment (electrical fire, etc)
- check all fluid levels and repeat frequently;
- carry coolant, distilled water and oil;
- get some generic heater hose, clamps, splices, "just in case";
- Get some generic rad hose, clamps, splices etc for the same reason;
- Get a proper oil filter (Mann brand) and change the oil putting in Mobil 1 15W40 or, better yet, 20W50 oil. This viscosity will keep the oil pressure up in your tired engine.
- keep your speed 65 mph or less. This keeps revs down to around 3,500 rpm which helps prevent connecting rod breakage on your long trip. It also places less load on the engine in hot ambient conditions. If the engine has never been rebuilt before, heave a sigh of relief - - the factory WBX engines that have not been "rebuilt" do not contain re-used connecting rod bolts and are less likely to self-destruct for that reason. Mine went 225,000 miles before I removed it, still running, to install a Subaru engine.
- remove the driveshaft. You can do this even without raising the vehicle. Two 13mm open-end wrenches are required. This eliminates a possible failure point - - and the interstates never require 4WD.
- buy and carry the proper Continental v-belts;
- if you can, grab and carry as spares the following hard-to-get-in-Nebraska items:
1. the oil-cooler-to-block gasket;
2. the rubber hoses that attach to the oil cooler;
3. a spare water pump and thermostat.
- carry basic hand tools and a cheap 12V tire air compressor and an LED wand light; |
Thank you for the list Howesight! (copy/paste to notepad.exe) I'll be loading up in Tulsa before I head out. Flying there makes it hard to bring fluids or odd shaped items with me, I'll most likely be searched by TSA. I hope stores don't close on July 4th :-/ |
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rcook52459 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2011 Posts: 492 Location: PORTLAND ORE
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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don't forget the rescue tape in case a hose cracks. _________________ 85 westy tiico conversion.auto trans triumph TR250 1980 Suzuki GS1000l |
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Gauche1968 Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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imdbui wrote: |
Howesight wrote: |
I suggest that you:
- buy a fire extinguisher;
- always have the rear hatch unlocked when driving in case you need quick access to the engine compartment (electrical fire, etc)
- check all fluid levels and repeat frequently;
- carry coolant, distilled water and oil;
- get some generic heater hose, clamps, splices, "just in case";
- Get some generic rad hose, clamps, splices etc for the same reason;
- Get a proper oil filter (Mann brand) and change the oil putting in Mobil 1 15W40 or, better yet, 20W50 oil. This viscosity will keep the oil pressure up in your tired engine.
- keep your speed 65 mph or less. This keeps revs down to around 3,500 rpm which helps prevent connecting rod breakage on your long trip. It also places less load on the engine in hot ambient conditions. If the engine has never been rebuilt before, heave a sigh of relief - - the factory WBX engines that have not been "rebuilt" do not contain re-used connecting rod bolts and are less likely to self-destruct for that reason. Mine went 225,000 miles before I removed it, still running, to install a Subaru engine.
- remove the driveshaft. You can do this even without raising the vehicle. Two 13mm open-end wrenches are required. This eliminates a possible failure point - - and the interstates never require 4WD.
- buy and carry the proper Continental v-belts;
- if you can, grab and carry as spares the following hard-to-get-in-Nebraska items:
1. the oil-cooler-to-block gasket;
2. the rubber hoses that attach to the oil cooler;
3. a spare water pump and thermostat.
- carry basic hand tools and a cheap 12V tire air compressor and an LED wand light; |
Thank you for the list Howesight! (copy/paste to notepad.exe) I'll be loading up in Tulsa before I head out. Flying there makes it hard to bring fluids or odd shaped items with me, I'll most likely be searched by TSA. I hope stores don't close on July 4th :-/ |
Yeah, the TSA might look askance at trying to bring tools in your carry-on. Checked luggage might be OK. _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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another option is to just burn it in place, rather than have it burn up during your trip |
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