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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 6:12 am Post subject: 15 below zero report |
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Minus 15! I started the gas heater 20 minutes before leaving for work, this by the way is fabulous. The engine actually started easily. The transmission oil had been replaced with wet cement and the steering was REALLY hard to turn. I soon discovered the steering wouldn't self return either. Otherwise the drive went well. The throttle was a little touchy, felt like it was leaning out on acceleration. Did I mention the gas heater is amazing? We'll see how it goes this morning, only 8 below outside.
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CarlIseminger Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2008 Posts: 833 Location: Grand Forks, ND
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:00 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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My '68 had a gas heater and after work, when it was 20 below, within 60 seconds I couldn't see my breath anymore.
My '69 Vert, when it is this cold out, you are correct. I can barely move the shifter for the first mile or so. _________________ 1969 VW Beetle Convertible |
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Tom K. Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2005 Posts: 1606 Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:41 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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I remember how very well these cars ran in cold snowy conditions. It's a shame that the salt has ruined all of that fun. Someday I hope to take my VW out to a farm somewhere and buzz around on snowy unsalted roads. I had a stock heating system that would bake me alive on those cold mornings, but I had to downshift into third to get good defroster action on my windshield. _________________ '91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight= |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15987 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:54 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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You knew this old VW commercial would have to show up for a thread like this...
Link
_________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:06 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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CarlIseminger wrote: |
My '68 had a gas heater and after work, when it was 20 below, within 60 seconds I couldn't see my breath anymore.
My '69 Vert, when it is this cold out, you are correct. I can barely move the shifter for the first mile or so. |
This new webasto heater doesn't quite do the instant heat that my bn4 heater in the other car does, it has to run through it's start up cycle which takes a few minutes. Safety I suppose. But when it lights up it gets just as blistering hot.
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:07 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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ashman40 wrote: |
You knew this old VW commercial would have to show up for a thread like this...
Link
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I was counting on it!😊 |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:11 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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Tom K. wrote: |
I remember how very well these cars ran in cold snowy conditions. It's a shame that the salt has ruined all of that fun. Someday I hope to take my VW out to a farm somewhere and buzz around on snowy unsalted roads. I had a stock heating system that would bake me alive on those cold mornings, but I had to downshift into third to get good defroster action on my windshield. |
I'm trying to ignore the road salt with this one, I bought the car cheap and I have other "good" ones. I have to say I'm having more fun with this one than the others. |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15987 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:31 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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Tom K. wrote: |
I had a stock heating system that would bake me alive on those cold mornings, but I had to downshift into third to get good defroster action on my windshield. |
In case someone has a similar problem with insufficient air flow reaching the dash... long ago I bought a kit that was designed to boost the air flow in the stock heater system, though I never got around to installing it. Even if they no longer make the kits, the electric fans in the kits were borrowed from a boat "bilge fan". Do a Google search and you will find lots of them. They are basically a fan in a 3" round duct. You splice them in under the rear seat or between the heater box and the body. Then you can control the air flow that reaches the front of the car. Here are a few pics to show the fan:
_________________ AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:45 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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ashman40 wrote: |
Tom K. wrote: |
I had a stock heating system that would bake me alive on those cold mornings, but I had to downshift into third to get good defroster action on my windshield. |
In case someone has a similar problem with insufficient air flow reaching the dash... long ago I bought a kit that was designed to boost the air flow in the stock heater system, though I never got around to installing it. Even if they no longer make the kits, the electric fans in the kits were borrowed from a boat "bilge fan". Do a Google search and you will find lots of them. They are basically a fan in a 3" round duct. You splice them in under the rear seat or between the heater box and the body. Then you can control the air flow that reaches the front of the car. Here are a few pics to show the fan:
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I should probably look into something like this, I have lots of heat in the car from the gas heater but defrost is still weak. I have the Danish heater boxes, it's true what they say about not being as good as original. They're fine for mild fall weather but useless today. |
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windfish Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2012 Posts: 1126 Location: NC
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:26 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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^^ I think those only stand a chance with the aftermarket heat exchangers, the stock ones will melt the body of the fan (that, or maybe the older bilge fans were better made)
I made a sheet metal shroud for the fan (the blade seems to be made of more heat tolerant plastic) and stuck it in a custom Y (no metal Y's were harmed in the making).
AlmostHeaven used motorcycle helmet fans to boost the defrost, https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8856144
It was down to +17°F here this morning and that was cold enough, you guys can keep the negatives |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9967 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:49 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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windfish wrote: |
^^ I think those only stand a chance with the aftermarket heat exchangers, the stock ones will melt the body of the fan (that, or maybe the older bilge fans were better made)
I made a sheet metal shroud for the fan (the blade seems to be made of more heat tolerant plastic) and stuck it in a custom Y (no metal Y's were harmed in the making).
AlmostHeaven used motorcycle helmet fans to boost the defrost, https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8856144
It was down to +17°F here this morning and that was cold enough, you guys can keep the negatives |
I like that steel cage you made AND that it fits in that Y connection area. Any other tips. Easy enough to swap out the outer cage? Been thinking about this upgrade, but was hesitant because of the plastic outer cage. Not anymore! Not interested in it for the heat, but for the fresh air. I had read that article by AlmostHeaven. That was a great thread! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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windfish Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2012 Posts: 1126 Location: NC
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:19 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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^ I posted a thread when I was working on it ~4 years ago - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614408
If I had to do it over I'd start with all metal, the fiberglass stunk for a short while after installation and it probably wasn't great to breath. No smell now though, still works fine. Decent air boost at idle and low-speed driving, not a huge diff on the highway.
Making the sheet metal round enough and centering the new fan bracket was a little fiddly, you want minimal separation between the blades and the new shroud. Likely something commercial you can repurpose.
Seen some squirrel cage fans installed in that area that prob blow a little harder. |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:13 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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windfish wrote: |
^ I posted a thread when I was working on it ~4 years ago - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614408
If I had to do it over I'd start with all metal, the fiberglass stunk for a short while after installation and it probably wasn't great to breath. No smell now though, still works fine. Decent air boost at idle and low-speed driving, not a huge diff on the highway.
Making the sheet metal round enough and centering the new fan bracket was a little fiddly, you want minimal separation between the blades and the new shroud. Likely something commercial you can repurpose.
Seen some squirrel cage fans installed in that area that prob blow a little harder. |
can I use one of the squirrels from the engine without lossing to much power?
Bug On!, powered by squirrels! _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:41 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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bluebus86 wrote: |
windfish wrote: |
^ I posted a thread when I was working on it ~4 years ago - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614408
If I had to do it over I'd start with all metal, the fiberglass stunk for a short while after installation and it probably wasn't great to breath. No smell now though, still works fine. Decent air boost at idle and low-speed driving, not a huge diff on the highway.
Making the sheet metal round enough and centering the new fan bracket was a little fiddly, you want minimal separation between the blades and the new shroud. Likely something commercial you can repurpose.
Seen some squirrel cage fans installed in that area that prob blow a little harder. |
can I use one of the squirrels from the engine without lossing to much power?
Bug On!, powered by squirrels! |
You have to keep your squirrels in their cages or they mess with your fuel mixture. I've seen them trying to hide their tiny screwdrivers. |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:58 am Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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Think about it, your driving along thinking your bug isn't running right, are all your squirrels accounted for? Hmmm? It makes sense to a squirrel, needs more fweem, let's rich that sucker up. |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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This morning's drive to work at 8 below was uneventful. The car behaved more or less normal, for it anyway. Temperatures are supposed to be in the teens by this evening, and 50 by Sunday. |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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I thought about trying one of those helmet fans AlmostHeaven used for defrost and simply drawing air from the passenger foot well where the gas heater is blowing into, not connecting it directly. |
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plotch Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2004 Posts: 540 Location: jeffersonville, vermont
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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To loosen the shifting you can swap to a synthetic gear lube that won't get stiff in the cold. |
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 877 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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plotch wrote: |
To loosen the shifting you can swap to a synthetic gear lube that won't get stiff in the cold. |
That sounds like a good idea. The gear oil is fresh but it's just regular 80/90. It usually gets really seriously cold like that here a few times every winter, thankfully it rarely lasts more than a few days. |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: 15 below zero report |
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plotch wrote: |
To loosen the shifting you can swap to a synthetic gear lube that won't get stiff in the cold. |
Synthetic is good for cold days, got it in several of my rides, made a very positive difference in the cold. Be sure the gear oil is correct for the Bug gear box.
Bug On! Shifting easy thru the snow! _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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