Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
How many air cooled owners do we have?
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Satch
Samba Member


Joined: June 10, 2015
Posts: 53
Location: SoCal
Satch is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey All -

Just picked up my first West! She's an 83 Air cooled. I have been out all weekend having fun. Not sure who's more excited, me or the kids.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
flattire
Samba Member


Joined: December 08, 2014
Posts: 25
Location: Pennsylvania
flattire is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:43 pm    Post subject: Aircolled Reply with quote

Has anyone heard of how many air cooled still running world wide????
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
AndyBees
Samba Member


Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 2312
Location: Southeast Kentucky
AndyBees is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an '83 Tin-Top. I purchased it in 1985 with 49k miles on it. It is semi-retired now with over 218k miles on the clock.

We were in Zion National Park in 1984 when we met two dudes in an old box Chevy Van. In the conversation, we learned they were headed to Alaska. So, on the rest of the trip, that's all I could think about, a trip to Alaska. We set the summer of 1986 as our goal. Then, I went shopping for something to drive north......... stumbled onto the Vanagon at a decent price.

At the time, we never thought over the next 17 years we'd drive it up there 6 more times. It's been north of the Arctic Circle three or four times ........ Inuvik, Northwest Territories to Key West, Florida.

The 2.0 engine is a hoss but unfortunately the heads do have a limit.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mrcool
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2015
Posts: 358
Location: Bozeman, MT
mrcool is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I get to join the club now!
one 1980 and one 1983, both CA emissions. Not buying any more... I swear...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VWinVT
Samba Member


Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
VWinVT is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 11:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So this thread shows that many of us still run the aircooled motor. I am curious how many have a cylinder head temp gauge and what kind of temps (high temps) people experience. I know mine gets hot fully loaded up hills (445*) holding 45-50 in 4th then to 3rd holding at 40mph. On normal terrain I can do 55mph at about 410*. Is this what you all are seeing?
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mrcool
Samba Member


Joined: April 01, 2015
Posts: 358
Location: Bozeman, MT
mrcool is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What gauge, VDO? DD? and how is your thermocouple attached?

I just ordered a MGL E1 and got the 14mm spark plug adapter. I have room for 3 more thermocouples at least and I will also be gluing some next to the plug.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Yellow Van
Samba Member


Joined: December 23, 2008
Posts: 163
Location: San Jose, CA
Yellow Van is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Running an 81 ASI/Riviera Weekender (tin top) here. I rarely encounter mountains outside of occasional camping trips so the air cooled engine works well enough.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VWinVT
Samba Member


Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
VWinVT is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dakota digital. Made some timing adjustments and the temps are way down now. Of course fix one thing and something else jumps up. It's starting poorly now, almost like its flooded. I put pedal to floor and it will start after first failed attempt. The I have to keep the gas on it to keep it going. Kinda feels like a vacuum leak (again!). Did A preliminary check spray water, but will have to look further...after new CV's/axles and lifting the rear with cutting board mod.
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jfrog
Samba Member


Joined: October 21, 2012
Posts: 27
Location: Seattle
jfrog is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:28 am    Post subject: Coco Van Rides again Reply with quote

Hey all. This is the tribe Ive been looking for. I've had a 1980 for 3 yrs and more project than fun. It got my family to Sedona from Seattle and back, and I had no idea what I was doing with it mechanically. Nearly all the mechanics I've talked to in Seattle have no idea either. After one enginr rebuild it was running well, I had to get a hole in the exhaust manifold welded recently, and now it stalls intermitantly. After about 10 minutes it will start again, sometimes stalls again sometimes not. I have twin babies and a 10 yr old so I'm hesitant to take it camping Sad . If you AC heads have any ideas to the prob I'd appreciate some guidance.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
a1fa
Samba Member


Joined: September 25, 2011
Posts: 585
Location: Central Arkansas, United States
a1fa is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CA? Federal? Carb?

"after about 10 minutes" restart? Sounds like something cooled off.. If they were messing with the exhaust, and you have a CA van, look for o2 sensor damage....
_________________
Learn to ride. Ride to learn.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
jfrog
Samba Member


Joined: October 21, 2012
Posts: 27
Location: Seattle
jfrog is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:23 am    Post subject: O2 sensor Reply with quote

Yes tis a CA, Sometimes it has a hard time during a cold start as well. On the way home this weekend, it started cold, ran for about 4 miles stalled. ten min later started ran for 4 miles stalled, then ran all the way home(50 miles) with stopping and waiting for ferries. do you still think that could be O2 sensor?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
honkyg
Samba Member


Joined: October 18, 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Denver Colorado
honkyg is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:32 pm    Post subject: Re: O2 sensor Reply with quote

I had issues similar to what you describe and the cylinder head temp sensor seemed to be the answer.

http://www.busdepot.com/0280130012
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
michaelasnider
Samba Member


Joined: September 27, 2013
Posts: 357
Location: East Kootenays, Canada
michaelasnider is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


A question for other AC owners, I was crawling around under the van this weekend and noticed that the thermostat to control the flaps has been removed by the PO. The flaps are still in place though. Is this an issue?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jimeg
Samba Member


Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 510
Location: PNW
jimeg is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I really enjoyed my air cooled vans - and miss the purr. Took a bit to get them both together and reliable, but once the work was done we had no trouble getting around all of Cascadia. For a family of three in an AC Westy, with gear, the AC motor is not very ideal. I could see owning a tin top passenger carrier AC again though, no problem.
_________________
1986 Root Beer Syncro Tin Top....so many plans.

Here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578490
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VWinVT
Samba Member


Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
VWinVT is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

michaelasnider wrote:
Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


A question for other AC owners, I was crawling around under the van this weekend and noticed that the thermostat to control the flaps has been removed by the PO. The flaps are still in place though. Is this an issue?


As long as the flaps are in the open position you will be fine. When the thermostat is removed they automatically go to the open position, so u should be all set. If u drive in the winter it can be an issue as the motor will be slow,to warm up with wide open flaps blowing cold air on the motor.
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tim3
Samba Member


Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 547
Location: Los Angeles, CA
tim3 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i love my 1982 westy.. I dont mind cruising 45-50mph up big hills on the freeway.. She hits 75+mph on flat so that is good for me..

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Click to view image
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
michaelasnider
Samba Member


Joined: September 27, 2013
Posts: 357
Location: East Kootenays, Canada
michaelasnider is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

VWinVT wrote:
michaelasnider wrote:
Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


A question for other AC owners, I was crawling around under the van this weekend and noticed that the thermostat to control the flaps has been removed by the PO. The flaps are still in place though. Is this an issue?


As long as the flaps are in the open position you will be fine. When the thermostat is removed they automatically go to the open position, so u should be all set. If u drive in the winter it can be an issue as the motor will be slow,to warm up with wide open flaps blowing cold air on the motor.



So is the open position what would be the case if there is no tension on the cable? I can't get an angle to actually see the flaps, so I'm wondering if the spring on the shaft that actuates them should be loaded or unloaded.

Thanks!

Another question, most LED light kits etc seem to be for newer vans with possible different light fixtures. I'd like to replace my kitchen light, drivers side overhead light and gauge lights, anyone know which sized bulbs are required?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
daroota
Samba Member


Joined: December 19, 2012
Posts: 266
Location: bc
daroota is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FYI there's a new Air cooled Vanagon group for us to ask questions, swap stories and compare setups.

Not sure if I'm allowed to Link it, so if you add the facebook. to the begining of this groups/AirCooledVanagon/ you'll find it.

BTW, Got my van back this fall from the body and paint shop. Also have a new muffler on now too, but not in this photo

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
1982 Westy-Air Cooled, Fuel Injected, 4 Speed Manual
Air Cooled Vanagon's FaceBook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/AirCooledVanagon/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
VWinVT
Samba Member


Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
VWinVT is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the aircooled facebook group is a good resource!!
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
daroota
Samba Member


Joined: December 19, 2012
Posts: 266
Location: bc
daroota is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am referring to the new group created Sept 26 2015. Wink

Specifically for Vanagons/wests 79-83
_________________
1982 Westy-Air Cooled, Fuel Injected, 4 Speed Manual
Air Cooled Vanagon's FaceBook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/AirCooledVanagon/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  Next
Page 7 of 9

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.