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So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia
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tommu
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

I only managed to book Leo Carrillo in February. I know how it works now - just need to make sure I remember a) where to book and b) to be awake on the 1st of the month!

Maybe we should create a socal samba reservations thread in case we don't use the plots we booked.
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OB Bus
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:55 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Mell22B wrote:
OB Bus wrote:
Mell22B wrote:

Getting closer to our first camping trip! Which is scheduled in two weeks!


So where are you going to camp?


We are going to San Onofre! I see you are in OB! I used to live there and love it so much! A VW hotspot! Now in Bay Park so I still get there quite a bit. Do you have any fav localish camping spots? Especially ones that don't require booking 6 months in advance?

Sorry for the slow response here, we have been traveling ourselves.
As you have learned everyone in the USA wants to camp along the California shore. There are no secret places. Just be ready to jump online as soon as the reservations open. If you have any active duty/retired military connections there is (was?) a campground on the north end of Camp Pendleton but you need a sponsor to get you in. Silver Strand used to be fun but it became a huge parking lot full of massive motor homes with Arizona plates.
Away from the beach, Borrego in the winter (Tamarisk Grove is our favorite) and Cuyamaca/Laguna/Palomar in the summer.
Enjoy.
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OB Bus
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:59 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

tommu wrote:

Maybe we should create a socal samba reservations thread in case we don't use the plots we booked.

I saw a number of camping spots on Craigslist this summer season. The ads usually say "..we made a reservation and now can't use it.." But somehow they are usually asking way over list prices. I have a feeling there are folks that are reselling them as a business.
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:23 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Mell22B wrote:
Only issue we had really was the smell of gas. I was reading and I am going to look into my fuel filler liner. Is that something that can easily be replaced by myself? My fuel lines have already been replaced.


It's a major pain in the ass. You either need to lower the engine a bit to get the firewall out, or remove the air cleaner, AFM, s-boot, throttle body and bend the front engine tins to get the firewall out.

These 3 all get cracked and contribute to fuel smell in the bus. If the smell is much worse after filling up it's most likely 211201125d.

http://www.busdepot.com/211201125d
http://www.busdepot.com/211201119
https://www.busdepot.com/113919131a
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 5:33 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

One source of gas fumes that's easy to miss is the gasket on the fuel cap.
When I first got Chloe, I had to leave the garage door slightly open to help dissipate the gas fumes. But all it took to solve the problem was a new gas cap with a good gasket.

The "good" gasket only lasted about five trips to the gas station. So rather than spending $35 on a new cap, I found a nylon gasket in the plumbing aisle of the hardware store. It's lasted ever since.

Of course, I also replaced ALL the fuel lines when I had the engine out. Not a whiff of gas smell since!
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Mell22B
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:14 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Been having some luck finding some campsites. i just hop on and check every once in awhile. Should probably book for Leo Carrillo early next year. I got a sight at San Elijio in November! Can't wait I have always driven past there and dreamed of camping there one day in a van!

I am going to try the fuel cap/gasket and then look into the other things. I don't know if i trust hubby to drop an engine... might be off to the our trusted mechanic Confused
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Mell22B
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 9:09 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

i rummaged through a box of old parts and found the top of the latch!!!! can't believe my luck! just need to drill it in there now. ordering a new gas cap, fingers crossed that helps, if not, on to the next step...
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Mell22B
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:13 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

[quote="poptop tom"]Welcome and nice looking bus!
I noticed on your luggage rack that the seal is missing. You will eventually want to replace that seal, as when you get the bus out on the highway, you will have a bunch of air blowing up through there. This will effect handling, especially on a windy day.
This link is where the seal goes:
http://www.busdepot.com/231070732

This is the seal to get. With the bulb.
http://www.busdepot.com/lugseal2

So I ordered the first one from Bus Depot and it has arrived. There were no instructions on there though, do you just kind of push it under the luggage rack and work around the rack? Is it pretty easy to do? I am leery without instructions that I will mess something up!
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Clatter
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:28 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

I'll be the 'turd in the punch bowl' and suggest that you still have some un-replaced fuel lines.

While the high-pressure 'fuel ring' -that takes your fuel from the tank to the motor and back- is the most important,
And often all that a normal mechanic would think of when 'replacing the fuel lines',
There are others.

The whole category of 'Fuel tank fill and vent' has now become (very) important,
And nobody ever replaces them.
1. Ethanol in fuel now eats the natural rubber that fuel tank fill and vent lines are made of.
2. 1978 was a long time ago - too long ago for rubber to fight against the corrosive beast that is fuel.
3. No normal car mechanic would even think to replace fuel tank fill and vent lines - they are low pressure.
4. Fuel tank and vent lines are hidden out of sight, mostly behind a trap door.
5. These parts are hard to get - a treasure hunt must ensue to find them all.



So,
For these reasons,
I'll bet you a nice dinner that the fuel smell you are getting is from either your fuel tank fill, or vent lines/hoses.
And that "I replaced all of your fuel lines" is a lie.


So,
Time to dig in.
Maybe see if you can't get ahold of 'Aeromech', Robbie, Colin, or..?
And see if they won't give you a hand checking these out.
It's not that they are particularly hard to do,
But,
There are a lot of fragile parts on these things, like the 'S'-boot, that take a light touch.
And they are hard to get ahold of, and maybe expensive, so you best be careful.
It's not a huge labor-intensive job, and doesn't require special tools, but there can be some contortions involved.
Having done a couple makes the job FAR easier - not a fun one first time no matter who you are.


Not only are gas fumes annoying and nauseating,
they can be a health hazard,
And,
far more importantly,
a fire hazard(!)

Say I'm all wet, and your mechanic was a VW bus specialist,
who did everything perfectly,
and the gas smell is just your cap seal,
Wouldn't you feel better knowing that your lines were checked out?


IMHO,
This is job #2 when getting an old bus on the road (brakes being #1).

Please take the time to prove me wrong.
This is one of those at the top of the "Why You Don't See These Busses on the Road Anymore" list.

Wink
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Clatter
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:36 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Mell22B wrote:
My fuel lines have already been replaced.


....

Are you _sure_??
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:46 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

If you ordered the first luggage rack seal (the one without the bulb) then yes, you can install it with the rack on the roof, and as you describe. Simply push it onto the fiberglass working your way around the perimeter.

I had a lot of wind with that one getting under the rack and billowing out my tent inside, so I changed to one with the bulb eventually.

In the mean time, though, I had bought some closed-cell foam strips from the hardware store (meant for sealing doors and windows in your home) and kinda pushed them between the new seal and roof to keep the air out.

If you don't push it up super tight on the fiberglass, then it could probably block some of that air that wants to go under the rack.
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Mell22B
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:12 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

[quote="Clatter"]I'll be the 'turd in the punch bowl' and suggest that you still have some un-replaced fuel lines.

I think the plan is to take it in prior to our next trip next weekend and I will confirm that they have been replaced. I am pregnant so reallly cannot take the smell of gas for much time at all. And as you mentioned it's dangerous. Will be sure to get it all checked out again. Appreciate the honesty and concern.
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static
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:51 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

For campsites, also check out Hipcamp
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 2:57 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

thnx to mayor ratwell
Fuel hoses
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelHoses.html


Fuel Injection Vacuum Hoses
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/VacuumHoses.html

The one behind the left rear tail light is the one always forgotten.
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:15 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Mell22B wrote:

Only issue we had really was the smell of gas. I was reading and I am going to look into my fuel filler liner. Is that something that can easily be replaced by myself? My fuel lines have already been replaced.



I bet the Evap system lines are still old and crusty. Plenty of fuel smells can come from them.
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Mell22B
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:06 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

so my husband took it out for a test run before we took a trip tomorrow and it was jumping when he tried to start it like it wasn't getting enough fuel. he went to fill it up and the gas went straight through as there is a hole in the tank! taking to the shop next week. sorry that we can head to malibu but glad we found this before we headed out!
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 3:06 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

You can just sneak the fuel tank out of this car without engine removal, so that will save some bucks.

Congrats on the next generation of Bus owners....out of our 6 contributions one of the middle pregnancies was an epic event of smell sensitivity. It will pass.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:46 am    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

if having clearance issues getting the tank out, you can disconnect the shift rod and 2 bolts on the trans to frame mount then 4 on the cross member and it will all sag 2 to 3 inches- giving you access to the firewall screws and making tank removal easier. I bought a new tank for $350- and then found one in a bus I cut the roof of of- so they are out there.-- oh yes- do the fuel tank sending unit at the same time.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 12:57 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Looks like somebody owes me a nice dinner!

I would prefer the Shadowbrook...

Laughing
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 12:32 pm    Post subject: Re: So Cal Fam's New 1978 Westfalia Reply with quote

Clatter wrote:
Looks like somebody owes me a nice dinner!

I would prefer the Shadowbrook...

Laughing


I do I do! Let's hope this isn't costly or it might park our van for awhile Sad
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