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RyanKE Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2015 Posts: 49 Location: OB, San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:16 am Post subject: New Westy owner! |
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Hi everyone. I've been browsing The Samba for a while, however I'm just now getting around to formally joining. My wife and I picked up Wendy, our 86 Westy, back in January. After searching for several months, we found a white 86 full camper with 127,000 original miles. Before we finalized the deal, we had her inspected by Pete at San Diego Westy. Overall everything was pretty solid. She just had a few deferred maintenance items that needed to be tended to. Completed items so far are as follows:
- Replaced fuel lines and filter (eliminated plastic fitting at firewall)
- Full tank re-seal
- Replaced dry rotted tires
- Replaced broomstick with new hatch struts
- Added roof rack
We're having a blast so far with our new (to us) Westy. So far we've camped at a couple beach campgrounds in San Diego, spent a night in the desert and spent three nights in Sequoia national park. This is my first VW. I come from a muscle car/drag racing background, so this is all new territory for me. Everything I know so far, I've learned from The Samba, so I'm glad to finally be part of the community.
First day home!
New shoes for Wendy.
Waking up to this view at San Elijo made it all worth it.
We survived the 7000 foot climb to see the giant sequoia trees!
Looking forward to many more road trips. We'll see you out on the road! |
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ThankYouJerry Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012 Posts: 2271 Location: Shakedown Street
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Well done! Many happy miles and adventures! _________________ 1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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epaddler Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2010 Posts: 222 Location: Slippery Rock
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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whynotvw Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6833 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome! On Track to having a great summer! |
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RyanKE Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2015 Posts: 49 Location: OB, San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys! And thanks for the link Merian. All fuel related hoses and o-rings have been replaced. The brakes were done right before my purchase. I will double check the condition of the brake lines though.
I might add that shortly after purchase, I began experiencing difficulty restarting the van after it was warm. It would crank fine but would not start. In the process of chasing this problem, I replaced:
- Temp 2 Sensor
- Coil
- Plug wires
- Distributor (Hall sensor was broken)
- Both relays inside the black box above the coil
- ignition switch
- Probably some other small bits I'm forgetting
I tried using the Bentley troubleshooting procedure but wasn't having much luck. Finally one day, I was out running errands and the van would not restart at all. I had her towed to San Diego Westy. After much troubleshooting, Pete located a broken wire inside the wiring harness (leading from the alternator to the coil, if I recall). Since then, I've driven several thousand miles with no problems. |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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I saw your original post re the fuel hoses - just be sure you got them ALL - the big fat one, the return hoses, the stubs on the injectors... etc.
Ben, who sees a lot of Vanagons in his shop, says to replace the FPR also.
The rubber brake hoses are just as dangerous or more so than the fuel hoses - use new rubber - and I suggest getting them from a dealer so they will be TUV approved. They should last 15 years, but the fluid needs to be replaced every 2-3 years.
I advocate getting the hot start relay kit from a poster here. |
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