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Satch Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2015 Posts: 53 Location: SoCal
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:41 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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flattire Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2014 Posts: 25 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:43 pm Post subject: Aircolled |
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Has anyone heard of how many air cooled still running world wide???? |
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AndyBees Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008 Posts: 2312 Location: Southeast Kentucky
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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mrcool Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2015 Posts: 358 Location: Bozeman, MT
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I get to join the club now!
one 1980 and one 1983, both CA emissions. Not buying any more... I swear... |
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VWinVT Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013 Posts: 1541 Location: North East Kingdom
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 11:45 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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mrcool Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2015 Posts: 358 Location: Bozeman, MT
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Yellow Van Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2008 Posts: 163 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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VWinVT Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013 Posts: 1541 Location: North East Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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jfrog Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 9:28 am Post subject: Coco Van Rides again |
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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 . If you AC heads have any ideas to the prob I'd appreciate some guidance. |
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a1fa Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2011 Posts: 585 Location: Central Arkansas, United States
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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jfrog Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:23 am Post subject: O2 sensor |
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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? |
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honkyg Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Denver Colorado
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Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: O2 sensor |
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I had issues similar to what you describe and the cylinder head temp sensor seemed to be the answer.
http://www.busdepot.com/0280130012 |
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michaelasnider Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013 Posts: 357 Location: East Kootenays, Canada
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.
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? |
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jimeg Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 510 Location: PNW
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:55 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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VWinVT Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013 Posts: 1541 Location: North East Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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michaelasnider wrote: |
Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.
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. |
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tim3 Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 547 Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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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..
_________________ Click to view image |
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michaelasnider Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013 Posts: 357 Location: East Kootenays, Canada
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:19 am Post subject: |
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VWinVT wrote: |
michaelasnider wrote: |
Washed the van this weekend in preparation for a trip to Banff over Thanksgiving weekend.
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? |
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daroota Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2012 Posts: 266 Location: bc
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 7:40 am Post subject: |
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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
_________________ 1982 Westy-Air Cooled, Fuel Injected, 4 Speed Manual
Air Cooled Vanagon's FaceBook Group:
www.facebook.com/groups/AirCooledVanagon/ |
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VWinVT Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013 Posts: 1541 Location: North East Kingdom
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:16 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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daroota Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2012 Posts: 266 Location: bc
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:18 am Post subject: |
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I am referring to the new group created Sept 26 2015.
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/ |
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