| Author |
Message |
mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2795
Location: North Carolina
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:13 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
 |
|
I'd be checking my evap tanks for cracks/ bushing failure. Mine both had serious sediment in them when I finally got around to that task.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
SlalomVan
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2006
Posts: 127
Location: Seattle, WA
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| I'd be checking my evap tanks for cracks/ bushing failure. Mine both had serious sediment in them when I finally got around to that task. |
When I dropped my tank to replace the sending unit, I replaced all the cross-ver and vent hoses. Also, both the evaporation tanks were removed, cleaned, checked for cracks, etc and then replaced. One other thing I should mention is that ALL my fuel lines were replaced about two years ago when I had the engine out to rebuild.
I find it odd that the Digifant Pro manual notes that the Fuel Filter is a lifetime filter and does not need replacing under "normal circumstances." Based on my experience, I think that the fuel filter should be replaced on a fairly regular basis. They are relatively inexpensive and very easy to access and replace.
_________________
1989 Vanagon GL - 2.1 (White - "Northlake" Totaled/Gone)
1988 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg (Orly Blue - "Poulsbo" - Sold)
1989 Vanagon G - 2.1 (White - "Kingston") - Full rebuild underway - Last on the road in 1997 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 3093
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| SlalomVan wrote: |
I find it odd that the Digifant Pro manual notes that the Fuel Filter is a lifetime filter and does not need replacing under "normal circumstances." |
we are giving these vans many reincarnated lives and which is not normal
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3577
Location: Chicago
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| SlalomVan wrote: |
| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| I'd be checking my evap tanks for cracks/ bushing failure. Mine both had serious sediment in them when I finally got around to that task. |
When I dropped my tank to replace the sending unit, I replaced all the cross-ver and vent hoses. Also, both the evaporation tanks were removed, cleaned, checked for cracks, etc and then replaced. One other thing I should mention is that ALL my fuel lines were replaced about two years ago when I had the engine out to rebuild.
I find it odd that the Digifant Pro manual notes that the Fuel Filter is a lifetime filter and does not need replacing under "normal circumstances." Based on my experience, I think that the fuel filter should be replaced on a fairly regular basis. They are relatively inexpensive and very easy to access and replace.
|
. Written by the same marketing folks who felt the gear oil in the manual transaxle was Lifetime fill as well..... 
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nimbus'87
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 125
Location: Murrieta, Ca.
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
Passed CARB/REF smog...
So the Westy got put back to work...
_________________
'87 Wolfram Grey Westy. '92 2.2 Subie, KEP/Calif. Reg. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32592
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:10 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| Written by the same marketing folks who felt the gear oil in the manual transaxle was Lifetime fill as well..... |
I have a hunch that 'Lifetime' in terms of vehicle sales and maintenance would not pertain to anything more than 12 to 15 years. Sure, your 15 year old monstrous fuel filter clogging and causing that "to be the last straw --- tow it away and crush it" or the gear oil causing the same, totally understandable for ANY automobile manufacturer. I don't believe the Bentley manual was supposed to be like the Muir book.
But, also, I think the idea of changing these fluids, or filters, etc. is a good plan, if a person were to want to keep it longer... in our case probably already more than twice as long as expected. I'm hopeful for 4X 
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nimbus'87
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2013
Posts: 125
Location: Murrieta, Ca.
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
Dave: "This is part of why I got rid of my Westy."
Lol...Yeah, understood.
I will admit to spending $25. on a HD rental truck to bring home siding and other ply's that didn't fit as comfortably.
Since retirement from swinging a hammer; the Westy is occasionally given the nod to act truckish. For the cost of insurance, maintenance and rusting away in front of the suburban neighborhood, the F250 went to another actual working stiff.
It is what it is.
No harm was done to Nimbus, but I'll admit it did stress my nerves for the short 7mile drive home.
As a Swiss Army Knife/vehicle it does/did just fine.
He's not an investment; he's part of the family and must pull duty when called upon.
For two old empty nesters the whole Westy package is iconic and hard to beat as laid out 'n designed. But you know that too. The spouse won't go back to sleeping bags in back of the pickup bed again; but she will settle for sleeping in while breakfast is made at her feet. 
SS.
_________________
'87 Wolfram Grey Westy. '92 2.2 Subie, KEP/Calif. Reg. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4491
Location: Richmond VA
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| Nimbus'87 wrote: |
Dave: "This is part of why I got rid of my Westy."
Lol...Yeah, understood.
I will admit to spending $25. on a HD rental truck to bring home siding and other ply's that didn't fit as comfortably.
Since retirement from swinging a hammer; the Westy is occasionally given the nod to act truckish. For the cost of insurance, maintenance and rusting away in front of the suburban neighborhood, the F250 went to another actual working stiff.
It is what it is.
No harm was done to Nimbus, but I'll admit it did stress my nerves for the short 7mile drive home.
As a Swiss Army Knife/vehicle it does/did just fine.
He's not an investment; he's part of the family and must pull duty when called upon.
For two old empty nesters the whole Westy package is iconic and hard to beat as laid out 'n designed. But you know that too. The spouse won't go back to sleeping bags in back of the pickup bed again; but she will settle for sleeping in while breakfast is made at her feet. |
Yeah, I don't mind carrying some stuff inside but since getting rid of the Mopar minivan I needed to be able to pull the trailer, and if hauling anything messy or something that threatens that nice grey interior it goes in the extra wayback, not inside.
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
That last picture shows what looks to be a cracked hose at the clamped connection, the smaller hose in the picture. |
Yup, the 8" snow from Sunday melted, finally. So I had a chance to take it out of the garage and let it idle to warm up. Waited, watched 'til it started to drip. Had suspected that hose too, as it was already bandaided before my Colorado trip in February... cut it back more and got it to stop dripping, but with not so nice clamps. I have new hose and clamps inbound. But for now, at least I can drive it to work and get a rest at lunchtime... Sleep is more needed than food, it seems. At least I can be civil with Mrs. Black tomorrow night.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4024
Location: Redwood City, California
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
Not really a van, but it still has a WBX in it. Troubleshot my no start on my truck today. Pulled up to a job today and it would not start again.
After an hour of dinking around I found the ground wire at the ECU was loose, It is different from the chassis ground and engine grounds as it is mounts to a stud on the body under the rear seat on a Digifant.
Since mine was a Digijet DJ the ECU was in the engine compartment as a 1.9 and the ground was to the case. We bolted it to the body by itself and it came loose and caused a no spark, no start situation. I was lucky to find it as I was replacing the ECU I noticed the ground was loose.
Just another day driving a 32 year old vehicle with 419K miles on it.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:18 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| bobbyblack wrote: |
| . cut it back more and got it to stop dripping, but with not so nice clamps. I have new hose and clamps inbound. But for now, at least I can drive it to work and get a rest at lunchtime... Sleep is more needed than food, it seems. At least I can be civil with Mrs. Black tomorrow night. |
Not a good morning. Pulled out of the garage, went to close the door, and saw a trail of coolant from start spot trailing out to the curb. Frik!!! The hose is degraded to the point where the clamp is just slicing through it like butter, OR, the clamp I have is just sharp and cutting the hose. Regardless, I don't have much more left to pull/cut and clamp, as this is the 3rd try already Drove Highlander to work
Hope the Busdepot gets my new hose here today or tomorrow (VC was out of that hose). I've been trying to get a complete hose kit, but one vendor or another always has one or two missing hoses, and the full kit won't go into my cart... UGH!!! Piecemeal hose kit building SUCKS!!!
Oh, and also dumping coolant in my garage and on my driveway is gross.
Sorry Mrs. Black, no civility tonight! Maybe I'll grill some steaks and at least I will be happier..
[afterthought: I saw some spare hoses in my 83.5, wonder which ones they are.... and hmm, I should check my engines stash, perhaps there is one still attached to one of them!]
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanlife Geek
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014
Posts: 285
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2021 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
New tires today! My old Yokohama Geolandar tires were really bad up front due to a bad alignment, so it was time to replace all four. I kept my existing spare, which was a Geolandar and will be used only for emergency short trips. This time I went with a little more aggressive tread, the General Tire Grabber ATX (215/75R 15), which was a little less expensive, too. The Grabbers also have the "Three Peak" snow rating.
I was also scheduled to get an alignment, but they said the tie rod end on the right front needed replacing in order to get a good alignment and I'm trusting them to be not full of BS. I had a Firestone store do mounting and the alignment and popped for the lifetime alignment for another $90, which will pay for itself in one more alignment and can be done at any Firestone store nationally as I travel... what do you think, good idea or no? Another $13 got me lifetime rotation and balancing. The part will be there in the morning and I'll get the alignment done then. This time I'll try to stay on top of the alignments and rotations better, especially since I've already paid for them.
Old front tire - really kind of dangerous:
The rears still had some tread, but I replaced all 4, which is sort of necessary on a Syncro I've read:
New "Grabbers" ready to put on:
Pretty aggressive tread for a AT tire:
Look great and the ride home felt great:
_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
Deciceded since my new hose wasn't here yet, I'd try cutting back a little more and wrap the degrading hose with tape so the clamp wouldn't cut into it again. Lasted about 15 minutes. Luckily just idling to warm up in the driveway while I watched it.
Well, crap! Anyway, I've had the full hose kit in my cart a few times, only to come back the next payday to click Buy, and it be a few hoses shy and not get it.
I've heard its a real wrestling match to do this particular hose.. Thermostat to Dist tower is about as awkward as I can imagine.
This piece just tore off.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4024
Location: Redwood City, California
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:56 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
My truck kicked my ass today. Intermittent no start finally turned in to a no start. I love it when things break. Turned out to be a bad Injection harness. The harness was only about 5 years old. I think the way I had my ECU mounted I had the harness folded over itself and it just worked the wires and caused an open.
We Ohm'd it out and it tested OK, but if you had just one strand It would conduct. After hours of Diag we twisted the wire near the ECU and it died or stuttered and then would just not start.
I was able to source a new harness and it fired right up. I learned a lot about the Digifant system and realize its Simplicity.
I need to tidy up my Install but it starts again reliably.
Syncro Tristar 419K miles.
Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanlife Geek
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014
Posts: 285
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
Added a smoke detector. I already have a Carbon Monoxide detector and figured I'd better be safe and found this tiny detector on Amazon. It's only 2.76" x 1.4" and has a 10 year battery, so it will probably outlive me. Comes with a 3M tape attachment system that has two parts and strong magnets, so no drilling was necessary and can be removed pretty easily. It also has a silence button for when cooking in the kitchen. It has an unobtrusive red light that blinks every once in a while to confirm the battery is still good and changes to a faster yellow blinking light when the battery is going bad. Seems like a pretty good size with good features for a Westy. Relatively inexpensive, too. I'm not sure about my placement, but there's really no good place on the pop top ceiling (didn't want to try sticking it to the felt liner stuff). I'm curious as to where others have placed their smoke detectors or if anyone else is even using them. https://amzn.to/2OYb5VI
_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
New t-stat to coolant tower hose installed. Only slight discomfort, expected an all-nighter. Just letting it warm up, to see what blows next..
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:44 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| Vanlife Geek wrote: |
This time I went with a little more aggressive tread, the General Tire Grabber ATX (215/75R 15), which was a little less expensive, too. The Grabbers also have the "Three Peak" snow rating.
|
Congrats! I've been happy with the Grabber ATX so far.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanlife Geek
Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2014
Posts: 285
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:49 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
| joetiger wrote: |
| Vanlife Geek wrote: |
This time I went with a little more aggressive tread, the General Tire Grabber ATX (215/75R 15), which was a little less expensive, too. The Grabbers also have the "Three Peak" snow rating.
|
Congrats! I've been happy with the Grabber ATX so far. |
Thanks! Good to hear you're happy so far.
_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
deadaheadub
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2004
Posts: 787
Location: New Mexico
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
|
|
I, too, have been satisfied with my Grabbers- they served me well in dicey snow/ice conditions, though I have noticed a bit of a decrease in power climbing hills.
_________________
Grateful daily,
Ryan
______________________________________
Past loves: '65 Bug, '70 Westy poptop, '64 Squareback project, '76 Westy tintop "Loose Lucy", '76 Westy tintop "Sharee"
Current:'84 Westy poptop "Ramblin' Rose- Rosie" w/ 2003 Subaru EJ25 conversion |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
