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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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 Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Well, thanks to a tip from Stuartzickefoose I've now got a set of rear syncro springs and a pair of front westy springs on their way, only $40 for the whole kit, a steal the way I see it.
Managed to get the van out to Tumalo Falls, while not a particularly difficult road or drive it was the first drive out of town, and first drive on anything remotely off road.
On the drive out to there I experienced something a little weird, it seemed to lag behind every couple minutes, kinda like it was swapping between gears, which is weird cause I was sustaining 3000rpm and around 50ish mph (don't really know, speedo is SOL). Any hunches or suspicious as to what would cause this would be appreciated it. I realize my description is a tad vague, and it mostly just cause I don't know how to explain it or what to say.
Anyway, here are some pics:
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Stuartzickefoose
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Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Sweet pics and glad that worked out for ya!
So a lag could mean a couple things:
Hesitating - where if your smoothly coasting along it feels like you fall forward a bit as the van looses some speed
Slipping - where the engine revs higher but the van doesn’t speed up physically
Misfire or backfire - where it coughs and pops, and causes a hesitation (see above)
If this is the first couple tanks, I wouldn’t be surprised if junk in the fuel or bad gas is making it miss a little bit, and eventually clogging a fuel filter.
Side rant:
A clogged fuel filter would gradually loose power the longer the engine has been running, and would act like its running out of gas. If you shut it off for a 15-30 minute break you may gain some power back briefly, but then the power would again go down as you keep driving. If this happens, sometimes you can pop the hose off and since it’s clogged up it won’t leak much fuel out (verifying problem) and then you can muster your big boy pants and blow hard into the hose, until you hear buddies in the tank or you feel air flow freely, at which point you pinch the line (fold it a bit) and remove from your mouth and reattach. Temporary fix but could get you off the road in a pinch!
Doesn’t sound like a fuel filter in this circumstance but try and describe it a bit more to us, as someone here smarter then me may have a solution...like vanagon syndrome (faulty air flow meter) but it depends on your description. 
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Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
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Marshj
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017
Posts: 268
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:46 am Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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| What ended up solving your oil pressure light issue? |
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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2795
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:28 am Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Assuming you have a smartphone- download a speedo app and look, you fixed your speedometer for now.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:23 am Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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| Marshj wrote: |
| What ended up solving your oil pressure light issue? |
It was a stupid simple fix, I didn’t plug in the low pressure switch. Plugged that in and no more issues.
Yeah, I know about the speedo apps, that what I used in my dad’s bug for a while (my dad’s bug also doesn’t have a speedo) I’ve gotten moderately good at estimating speed, I haven’t daily driven a car with a speedo in about 8 months.
Regarding the feeling of shifting, it’s more of a hesitation, no weird noises or anything from the engine, everything sounds normal. Feels like it looses power for a split second then pics right up. I haven’t really cleaned up the air box at all, including the filter inside, could this be an issue? I am only on my second or third tank. |
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Stuartzickefoose
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Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:31 am Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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WIthiut going back to look...you did new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor right?
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Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:45 am Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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| Stuartzickefoose wrote: |
| WIthiut going back to look...you did new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor right? |
New distributor all together, used old wires, plugs were all inspected and appeared to be good.
I never have this issue in around town driving, and didn’t expierience it on the way back from Tumalo, only on the way there. |
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10degnorth
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Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32579
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Well, good news and bad news.
Good news: I finished applying my stickers to the rear windows and they look pretty good if i say so myself.
Bad news: The van will no longer start, it cranks and fires, but won’t start. Battery is at 12.5 volts on the meter, this same thing happened while up at a lake last weekend, but it eventually started after cranking for a little while and we just didnt shut it off the rest of the trip. When jt was running yestirday it was still reading about 1/8th of a tank.
I havent done any searching on this issue yet, but I was writing this post anyway and thought i might as well add it in.
_________________
1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=
1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=
Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7 |
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proofpudding
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Joined: March 02, 2012
Posts: 83
Location: Nanoose Bay, BC
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| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Check / change your ignition switch. A very likely suspect given the crank no start condition and that it did it before but started eventually.
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Stuartzickefoose
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Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
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| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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| proofpudding wrote: |
| Check / change your ignition switch. A very likely suspect given the crank no start condition and that it did it before but started eventually. |
Not likely in this situation based on the video he’s gonna post of it running after. My suggestion was it’s briefly flooding likely a leaky injector or similar.
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2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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So basically, on Sunday the van started up fine, I drove it up to a lake, then when I went to start it to get home it wouldn't start, just cranked for a while, tried a couple more times then it finally started up, went home and continued to drive it as my daily for the next 3 days until today when I was going to drive it up onto ramps in the shop and replace the speedo cable. It started up fine at first and I reversed it and shut it off, then lined up the ramps under the front tires and went to start the van again and... nothing it just cranked.
At first I thought maybe the battery was dead, it was at 12.5v. Then I thought maybe it was the fuel pump, it primes as normal and seems to work fine. All the spark plug wires are in good condition and on snugly. It's a brand new distributor.
With the help of Stuart I managed to get it started, however it would only start if I gave it a bit of throttle, and then it would die, tried a couple more times and eventually it would start with throttle then stay running, at first roughly and with each attempt it got smoother. I revved the engine to 3000rpm a couple times shut it off and went to start it and it started completely normally, no throttle.
Stuart thinks its a leaky injector, flooded with fuel.
Any thoughts, ideas, or tips would be awesome, if anyone back Stuart's idea of investing in rebuilding the injectors I can do that.
Thanks all.
_________________
1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=
1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=
Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7 |
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djkeev
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Haven't encountered the starting issue but I've done a bit more work on the van.
Installed the new springs, syncro springs in the back and 85' westy springs in the front, overall about a 2.5-3 lift from the carat springs I had before.
Fuel tank has been resealed so hopefully no more leaking gas at every fill-up, it was a pain but I'm sure it will be worth it.
Fixed the speedometer. The hole in the cap on the wheel where the cable connects to the wheel was completely round, the end of the cable was also rounded. Shrunk the hole and used a file to square the sides and replaced the speedometer cable, now everything fits snuggly and the speedo works (about as accurately as they get).
I am now considering my options as far as a bit of camperization. Debating between either one of the small Reimo pop tops or a RTT (Roof Top Tent).
@Slimvest
@DASMULE
I like the Reimo tops because they are unique, and I've found the more unique the van is the cooler it is, plus I would love the standing room .However, they are a tad hard to come across and cost about $800 more than I can pickup a used RTT for locally, not to mention shipping. Id like to hear your thoughts on either.
For those of you who've been following along, thanks for all the support.
_________________
1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=
1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=
Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7
Last edited by 10degnorth on Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Buggeee
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Joined: December 22, 2016
Posts: 4407
Location: Stuck in Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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My vote is cast for the pop top. I've spent many nights in tents and love tenting it. Still do it for fun on occasion (like when we take the Beetle). But the set up and take down I can really do without at this point because I am aging and getting impatient and sore. Plus if it's on the van, the van is trapped.
Short term: tent it till you stumble on the right top. Or just do your rear seat fold out bed conversion in there and duck your head for now when you walk around.
Long term: pop up, pop down, pop up, pop down.
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
| SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
| Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7465
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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I vote for the pop-top. I’ve found that nothing beats standing up the way humans were meant to. Changing clothes, standing inside while it’s raining outside, etc. it’s all so easy with a pop-top. Plus, it probably takes less than 30 seconds to pop that Reimo compared to minutes for the tent. And the tent will be a water soaked mess after a weekend camping in the OR rain.
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Slimvest
Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014
Posts: 431
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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You're doing nice work. Keep it up.
| Quote: |
I am now considering my options as far as a bit of camperization. Debating between either one of the small Reimo pop tops or a RTT (Roof Top Tent).
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Thanks for the credit. After a year using the Reimo, I'm still pretty happy with it. Pros/cons for everything, but it's been working well for me. Ventilation, standing room, and it being lower profile than my Yakima bars has been nice. Only adds 2" in height. Top is well built too. Lots of comments from people when I go camping. It's obviously not a Westy top though.
Use your van for a while before you do anything. I camped in my van for 12 years before I put the Reimo on. Helps you really define what your needs are.
Peter (before he retired) at Van Cafe had a few tops available. Not sure if they made the trip to Colorado with the RMW merger.
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top |
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10degnorth
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2018
Posts: 472
Location: Bend, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: A Wolfsburg, Two Engines, and a Highschooler |
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Glad to hear good things about the Reimo, I think I’ve found 2 possible sources, the one available on the classifieds at the moment, and a Canadian auto shop up in B.C., trying to decide if I should just pay to ship it ($300ish) or just take a long weekend and a road trip to pick it up.
The main thing is that I would just like to be able to stand up inside my van, I really don’t need to sleep anymore people, so the RTT isn’t very convenient anyway.
Slimvest, did you install it yourself or have it done by a shop? My plan is to install it myself and save a bit of cash, I’ve got the tools and resources to do it.
_________________
1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=
1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=
Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7 |
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