| Author |
Message |
archicarp
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Seattle
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| PDXWesty wrote: |
| What part of the country are you in? That has a lot to do with rust issues. |
I'm in the Northwest. They don't use salt on roads here, so I am not overly worried about rust like I would be if I was still in New England. But, one of the responses to my original question was to look for one with no or very little rust because it spreads and is hard to control. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| archicarp wrote: |
Most current in RED
Surface rust from dings seems like it would be easier to take care of (since it is happening from outside) than rust at the panel seams. How easy is it to deal with rust at the seams? This appears to be a common problem. Also on rust... I have seen a few that have rust at the air vent grate at the bottom of the frig. Is this common and what does it mean? Is there a leak somewhere? Is it something that needs to be fixed? |
I have no experience fixing rust in seams but all I hear is that, depending on the extent of the rust, it can be expensive (shop) or time-consuming (DIY) and in some cases rust comes back.
About the "rust" on the air vent grate at the bottom of the fridge (inside the van, right?), more than rust is just paint chipping away. Almost every single original Westy I've seen has that vent paint chipping away. Not rust related. No leaks, just old paint, it is a cosmetic thing so no need to fix unless you feel like it, powder coat and paint using Ford engine gray color.
check out these links
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=181392
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=160752 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| What part of the country are you in? That has a lot to do with rust issues. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
archicarp
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Most current in RED
| madspaniard wrote: |
| archicarp wrote: |
| Thanks for the advice and the breakdowns. Best condition within my budget seems to be the consensus with the specific year being personal preference. The no body rust, cabinet differences, and bumper comments are especially helpful. |
Agree, especially the part about rust, avoid it like the plague, two spots are common, left panel behind the stove/sink unit and right panel behind rear hatch window washer bottle (right back panel). Look for rust in outside seams and where panel meets the undercarriage
| archicarp wrote: |
| I have heard that the engines will almost always need replacement or significant rebuilds with heads needing help almost without exception. Should I expect to have to do this if it hasn't been done already?. |
Yes, these are high mile engines. Ask for shop records and receipts, see when and who did work, if any, on the engine/heads. If done properly you might not need to do anything.
| archicarp wrote: |
| Since I'm a newbie - does the a/c unit take up all the space of that cabinet in the rear ceiling? |
Yes, and some room in the engine bay. |
Surface rust from dings seems like it would be easier to take care of (since it is happening from outside) than rust at the panel seams. How easy is it to deal with rust at the seams? This appears to be a common problem. Also on rust... I have seen a few that have rust at the air vent grate at the bottom of the frig. Is this common and what does it mean? Is there a leak somewhere? Is it something that needs to be fixed? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
morymob
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| My recent 88-Westy buy has no air either,but i have picked up 1 and getting another "rear" ac unit out of 90s Mazda MPV .I owned a 93 4 7yrs and this i s a independent ,gutsy ,compat unit and fits under left rear side panel/3 speed fan and remote in/off control. Looks like the front "glove box" will go as there is where i plan to install front unit but still covered by box lid,havent had time to fully check out where rear is going. Keeping it simple without all the crap vw had strung out allover . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| archicarp wrote: |
Does upsizing to 15" wheels counter the issue with ground clearance? I understand the larger wheels are desirable for handling.
I'm looking at full camping setups and 2WD.
Cheers |
there is no "issue" with ground clearance. The vanagons have great ground clearance (look at the low clearance of Eurovans and any modern car). One inch difference between years is not something you will notice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
archicarp
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Does upsizing to 15" wheels counter the issue with ground clearance? I understand the larger wheels are desirable for handling.
I'm looking at full camping setups and 2WD.
Cheers |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1899
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The 86 & 87 have a 1" higher ground clearance. They lowered the 88's to make them easier for a woman to climb in. It was in response to the minivan craze.
I would look for a low milage well maintained vehicle 86 to 91. Our 86 has a whole lot fewer miles on it (130k) than a lot of 91s I've seen. Ours is a weekender with the '87 A/C (the shrouding and vents are run farther forward from the rear cabinet) It came with the blackout window trim. When it comes to buying parts I've noticed that Syncro is a german word which means "costs a lot more". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| j_dirge wrote: |
| Terry Kay wrote: |
I can't honestly say that I have ever seen a later model Westfalia without AC--ever.
Innoperable -sure , but a late model AC void Westy I think would be an oddity. |
I have an 89 GL Westy with no AC.. and it never had it. No holes in the deck where the hoses run in the back along the pillar.. no marks where the evaporator would have been, no hardware marks where the compressor would be, no evidence of the hoses under body
Delivered new to Wyoming, then sold to a guy in San Diego, then to a guy in San Rafeal. Now me, in SF.
There were three days among the last 6 yrs when I REALLY wished it had AC. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Terry Kay wrote: |
I can't honestly say that I have ever seen a later model Westfalia without AC--ever.
Innoperable -sure , but a late model AC void Westy I think would be an oddity. |
I have an 89 Westy with no AC.. and it never had it.
Delivered new to Wyoming, then sold to a guy in San Diego, then to a guy in San Rafeal. Now me, in SF.
There were three days among the last 6 yrs when I REALLY wished it had AC. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52686
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yeap the AC takes up all the overhead space. Hard to know what kind of engine work to expect, you can't believe what most seller tell you. I personally like to look for a vehicle with easily discernible engine or transmission problems and get a big discount on the price. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| archicarp wrote: |
| Thanks for the advice and the breakdowns. Best condition within my budget seems to be the consensus with the specific year being personal preference. The no body rust, cabinet differences, and bumper comments are especially helpful. |
Agree, especially the part about rust, avoid it like the plague, two spots are common, left panel behind the stove/sink unit and right panel behind rear hatch window washer bottle (right back panel). Look for rust in outside seams and where panel meets the undercarriage
| archicarp wrote: |
| I have heard that the engines will almost always need replacement or significant rebuilds with heads needing help almost without exception. Should I expect to have to do this if it hasn't been done already?. |
Yes, these are high mile engines. Ask for shop records and receipts, see when and who did work, if any, on the engine/heads. If done properly you might not need to do anything.
| archicarp wrote: |
| Since I'm a newbie - does the a/c unit take up all the space of that cabinet in the rear ceiling? |
Yes, and some room in the engine bay.
Last edited by madspaniard on Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
archicarp
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the advice and the breakdowns. Best condition within my budget seems to be the consensus with the specific year being personal preference. The no body rust, cabinet differences, and bumper comments are especially helpful.
I have heard that the engines will almost always need replacement or significant rebuilds with heads needing help almost without exception. Should I expect to have to do this if it hasn't been done already?
Since I'm a newbie - does the a/c unit take up all the space of that cabinet in the rear ceiling? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Factory 89 Westy with no AC. Not Canadian or import. I knew I should have saved that cabinet!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| PDXWesty wrote: |
| I had an 89 Westy with no AC. Cabinet where the AC goes. |
I don't doubt you but out of curiousity, do you know if it was a Canadian or even European import ? Or possibly a clean westy conversion ?
Most of the '89 thru '91 models imported to the US did in fact have a/c as part of an upgrade campaign by VW to counter the Chrysler mini-van challenge which was very strong back then. In Europe, not so many. I'm not sure about Canada but 'heard' they didn't receive that many a/c models either.
So ... that's why the questions about your '89. Perhaps it was one of those few that simply came without.
BTW, none of this holds for the crewcabs and single cabs - I don't know of any that came with factory a/c to Canada, but some had dealer a/c installs. I have one ('89). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I had an 89 Westy with no AC. Cabinet where the AC goes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Robw_z
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 997
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Call me vain, but I shopped for '89-'91s because I like the bigger VW emblem on the grill and the one in the center of the hatch  . Also the blacked out trim makes the van look much more modern.
FYI I believe the transmission fault was in production well into '89; this is just going by what I've read though.
-Rob |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
So what's in back in front of the hatch??
No intake shelf & nothing in front of it where the evaporator box usually is?
_________________
T.K. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fatboypaul
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2004
Posts: 432
Location: Emeryville, Ca, SF Bay.
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I have a 1990 Westy with no AC. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I can't honestly say that I have ever seen a later model Westfalia without AC--ever.
Innoperable -sure , but a late model AC void Westy I think would be an oddity.
_________________
T.K. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
