New Vanagon, new problems - '86 Syncro

[Multiman mv]

Have you looked into the airflow meter? Common cause of vanagon syndrome. You seem well versed in vanagon repair and have probably looked into it. If not, you might want to go down this route and at least get the Gowesty fix for the afm. If it’s not the issue causing the bucking, the signal filter might prevent it from occurring in the future. It will be 62 dollars well spent.

http://www.gowesty.com/product/fuel-injection/23990/gowesty-signal-filter-for-air-flow-meter-

[sethpat]

[sethpat]

Just took apart, checked and cleaned my AFM as illustrated in this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369815
And as of right now it's running perfect. I went ahead and cleaned my IAT sensor as well. My AFM was not showing any drops and had a max reading of about 4.5 volts. I moved the wiper manually as well as with the door.

I'm even more confused now than before haha.
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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[Multiman mv]

Well I guess you’re at least checking off the boxes through a process of elimination. I hope you get to the bottom of the issue. Nice looking work on the suspension, rust treatment and undercoating. You’ll get the running issues figured out. Keep up the good work.

With all the rust and corrosion on the underbody have you thought about checking the condition of the fuel tank? A small amount of rust and corrosion can wreak havoc on injectors. I wonder if it’s worth dropping the tank (a good time for a reseal and fuel line replacement if you haven’t crossed that bridge already) and check the condition inside the tank. Just a thought.

[sethpat]

[crukab]

I was wondering if that Syncro was a "Bag of Snakes" when I saw it for sale.
Did you tow it from Baltimore, or drive it ??
_________________
Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

[sethpat]

Totally missed that last post. It was definitely a "bag of snakes" but I'm getting it sorted slowly but surely. I put in on the auto train after driving from Burlington to Baltimore.

I've driven about 400 miles since the AFM work with zero issues, combined highway and city driving. Been messing with some small stuff when I can.

Swapped out the switch for my defroster and vents, which is super nice to have that working. The coolest improvement so far is the addition of a top bunk. I didn't want to go through the hassle of sourcing a Westy bed and modifying the roof to make it work so I came up with my own solution and it looks great (I think) and is perfectly functional. This combines the benefit of the headroom on a tin top with the perks of a top bunk. Spent about $40 at Home Depot and some credit card points on Amazon for some memory foam. The original design had the front section folding out via hinges, but unfortunately there isn't enough room when folded back to close the pop top. Instead I just store it in the van or the rocket box and throw it up. Takes a full minute or so to set up and is quite sturdy. I've been up there with my wife with no worries. If anyone is interested I'm happy to share more info, I haven't seen anyone else do it any other way besides the Westy conversion.

I also got my diff locker panel working, which of course is one of the most exciting interior improvements besides maybe finding an OEM key. Also added a few stickers and minor maintenance including a new inner and outer bearing on my left rear, as well as changing the trans and front diff oil.

Time for photos.

Chicken in my Van

Napa has bulbs for the panel from an E36 (I believe) BMW that fit and are slightly brighter. If I come across the part number I'll post it here.

Top Bunk

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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[IdahoDoug]

That friggin' chicken cracked me up! Keep it coming.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[dobryan]

Nice key pic. I've got my copy made, where exactly do you live.....
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[sethpat]

[sethpat]

[shagginwagon83]

I've never passed the aux cord to a chicken before
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[MsTaboo]

[sethpat]

Hey friends, looking for a bit of input here. My 2.1 is still chugging along but just decided to pull it because all of my exhaust manifold gaskets were shot and leaking and I also had a pretty bad oil leak coming from a failing oil pump gasket. I threw in a new oil pump for the hell of it (a waste of money honestly after pulling the old one and realizing it was totally fine) and I'm replacing the rusty old manifold studs. I also plan on replacing all of the coolent lines since they're out and accessible. Just curious if you guys think there's anything else I should do while it's out without going too terribly far down a rabbit hole. I still want to eventually do a swap but figure I may as well keep running my waterboxer as long as it's running well.

Thanks for your time.

Seth
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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[Howesight]

While you have removed some hoses and hardware in the area, you now have more room to replace the o-ring "gasket" between the oil cooler and the crankcase. These fail abruptly in the first cold weather encountered leaving many owners in tears with a huge oil leak.

If the water pump is old, it might be wise to replace it also.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Atadloco]

With your engine engine and transmission out, it'll be a good time to refresh your gas tank components. Could be the original sending unit so it may be worth just doing. I remember driving past that Syncro one day a few years ago on a back road trip through Vermont.

[sethpat]

Hey there internet friends. Back at it with more vanagon problems. The suspension refresher, lathering of ospho and high quality undercoat got me through a couple years, thousands of miles and some really awesome camping trips however it’s time I face the music. The years of salt roads have caught up with the old girl and I have to make a decision, with your help. I either need to start tearing this thing down and commit to a restoration like I did with my bus (see link) or cut my losses on the old syncro and move on. If I commit to the restoration I’m going to need to find a donor westy for all of the needed metal/ interior and finally swap the roof. With this route I’m not sure if I should bother with all of that work or find a decent 2wd camper and swap all of the syncro components over. Please take a look at my rust photos and help me come to a conclusion
-
Seth
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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[sethpat]

_________________
Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[sethpat]

That drivers side rear jacking point/trailing arm support is my biggest concern at the moment. The sliding door channel is about 90% gone. You can see where I put in some angled aluminum so I could still open the door (worked pretty well honestly haha)
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Unnamed 1986 Syncro

Frankenbus (sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674133&highlight=

1975 Westfalia
914 IV 1.7
93mm pistons
Weber 34 ICT's
Cam 264* .402 lift

[ajdenette]

I am not one to condemn a van easily but I would be looking for a 2WD westy donor to move the Syncro bits over to, I think that van is a bit too far gone with the rear cross member that both wheels attach to being that far gone and the front frame at the rear of the sub frame also showing so much rust I am betting the gas tank support area is gone as well.
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1985 2wd Westy with 2000 Subaru 2.2 current driver
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=685635
1986 Syncro Doka Project next in line
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732777
1990 Vanagon Syncro Base awaiting body work