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schenks13
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2011
Posts: 87
Location: New England
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 Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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No one believes you. 
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'87 Syncro High Roof
'07 Rabbit
'94 Jetta
Old Town Tripper 172
Mad River Courier |
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ams
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2017
Posts: 18
Location: Brookfield, IL
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| Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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That is awesome! Have you ever taken your van to Michigan? Growing up there, I have vivid memories of people driving all kinds of vehicles on the Lake Michigan dunes, never a Vanagon that I can recall, though.
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'86 Weekender |
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B.O.B.Wanders
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2014
Posts: 351
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Not exactly today but while prepping for a few days up in the NC mountains, I noticed a leak at the water pump pulley. So I replaced the water pump (PITA) and removed the A/C compressor mounting bracket which also required rmoving the intake pipes (more PITA). All went well for the 500+ mile trip.
But I had gotten kind of stuck in the mud on the trip and wanted to check the underside which led to the discovery of a leak at the J-pipe combo flange on the exhaust. Happened to have a couple of appropriate gaskets (from the PO's stash) and fixed that.
I happened to see the thread on the O2 sensor shielding "fix" so, of course, that needed doing as well to perhaps mitigate those damp start issues. Couldn't hurt, right?
After all that, I decided it surely would need the timing adjusted so I dutifully hooked up my timing light to the #2 plug wire.  (Yep, I did that) And in the process of attempting to adjust the now way crazy timing I forgot to tighten the distributor back down and, naturally, the shaft jumped the key. I realized what I had done a bit too late. And...no start.
I didn't know that in my efforts to reset the distributor, the splices on the hall effects wires, up under the wire covering of course, would be compromised. So, quality time on The Samba and with Mr. Bentley, and a new coil and Ignition Control Module later (it did test marginal), still no start.
Finally while attempting to retest the hall sensor, one of the wires came apart in my hand. Aha!. So I fixed them with some new, more weather resistant splices.
Now with everything back together and the distro roughed in, it started right up and I was able to reset the timing (per tencentlife) using the correct plug wire this time. BOB purrs once again! Unfortunately my gas mileage check was screwed up by a 2-mile construction back-up but I know in my heart it is better than it was.
If you are new to Vanagon's, you will find that this kind of cascading fix and break scenario is probably more common than not.
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83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.
"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32598
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:03 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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In the programming world that is often referred to as yak shaving.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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inoperapineapple
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2016
Posts: 8
Location: Everett WA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4491
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| It isn't unlike fixing a simple drip on old galvanized water pipe in a house! Before you know it you've replumbed the entire house with copper! |
Dropping a ring down the drain will occasionally give the same result.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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SIM card arrived so I installed the GPS tracker. Ting.com supports 2G (or more accurately their partners still do so the device came online and was responsive. I set the admin password and the geofence, then installed it in the rig. So many options…
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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wesitarz
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012
Posts: 1490
Location: Victoria,B.C.Canada
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced the windshield with a new German seal from GoWesty. Used the Gowesty video for reference .It went smoothly once I figured out how to spread and palm the seal onto the glass. Install was a breeze - maybe the KY Jelly I used on the corners. Real slippy.A 101 uses for KY like the wrist seals on my drysuit among others. 
Also fixed a few dents and rust spots on the nose and around the windshield,but my feathering and paint still need work. Also a new antenna after 17 years. Also repaired and painted front and rear bumpers on this job. Paint was a custom match - BMW(436) Mahagoni Met. and Toyota (6M3) Grayish Green Met.-1 for the bumpers.
88 Wolfsburg Carat auto with 02 Subaru 2.5L
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4349
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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As my mom says, BlueBird flew out of the nest. I tucked Flossie back into her nice dry hole in the wall. Cosmo the BlueBird got legs: Oil pressure issue seems resolved, exhaust back in place, took a trip to town! Kids seem happy they got the job done. I'm happy I got to put Flossie back in the garage! I got a couple issues to look into before we head south for the eclipse!
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Jamo7
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2014
Posts: 124
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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So this story isn't from today, but since we were out camping, I'll tell the story here because it was a cool campground fix.
On our way from Seattle to the lower Umpqua in OR the low coolant light started blinking around 11:00pm. Everyone was asleep and we were finally making good time. It would flicker so I deduced that it was an electrical issue rather than truly no coolant. Nevertheless I was terrified that I was going to break down along I5 in central Oregon every time I saw the little light flicker on and off until we arrived at the campground at 2:00 am.
Wise folks here have said that if something goes wrong, go back to the thing you last fixed. I had confirmed that the coolant level was full and stable on the drive down so after checking the wires at the coolant tank, I looked at the instrument cluster. In the spring I had rewired the instrument cluster a la Showa Braun and since then the fuel gauge had been slow to respond to fill ups and the temperature gauge had been reading a little low. Sure as you know what, when I took out the instrument cluster, all those little nuts were loose! Silly me! Now they're tightened and better than ever.
It was only a 900-mile trip, but everything ran so smoothly- at freeway speed, in the heat, over mountain passes, and through beautiful forest service roads (from Steamboat to Mackenzie Bridge). It's still a delicate antique, but it is becoming more solid little by little.
Happy trails!
James
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'84 Westy 2.1 wbx |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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After developing the fabled grinding into 3rd & 4th, yet surviving our entire 500
mile road trip last weekend, I ordered our new transaxle yesterday. Should be
here next week, installed over the weekend & still time for some break-in miles
the following week before heading out to Nebraska to chase the moon.
(IOW...eclipse watching...) 
Wish us luck...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Weezyissuperfast
Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2014
Posts: 106
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Sold it 
Good thing I still have another one. I didn't realize how much I would miss it until the new owner drove away. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into that van in the three years that I have owned it. On the plus side, I can now focus my energy on my Syncro.
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Finished install of new coat hooks & co-integrated "old fart" poptop ladder:
Only ... ̶3̶ ̶ ... no ... ̶4̶ ̶ ... er, ... ̶5̶ ̶ ? ...wait... 6 criteria in mind:
- easier access to top bunk (especially for "older" members & guests...  )
- super stable/secure (hooks bolted w/rivnuts, wide platform & step)
- small as possible (rests on & completely within footprint of jump seat)
- lightweight (less than 3 pounds with back legs trimmed as shown)
- small (only 2 steps, folds & stows behind bench seat cushion)
- cheap (just $12 from Amazon with cosmetic damage [originally $45])
The 2 hooks are rated for 150# all by themselves; most of the weight rests on
the seat cushion; ladder itself is rated for 250#; velcro straps keep it securely
attached to the hooks so it'll stay in place all day & night w/no surprises... 
Wife, this month's "eclipse" guests & I are very happy with it!
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4491
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Clever!
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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AZ Landshaper
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:44 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Fixed a coolant leak on my way to meet the crew for our trip to see Metallica. I was only ten mins late and running cool once again despite loosing a gallon of coolant in the Los Betos parking lot. Rock on.
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Support Small Business.
-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug. |
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crukab
Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002
Posts: 6116
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Washed 2 years of dirt off the Doka today, fixed a head light that lost a adjuster & was flopping around, replaced the speedo & Gas gage lights in the dash pod, all this after getting the NEW TRANY !!! Put in Wednesday, it runs GREAT !!!!!!!! 
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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 |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7918
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Scrapped the ANL idea and copied ThankYouJerry...
Out with the wimpy 50A fuse and lower amp relays:
...in with the 50A maxi fuse and higher amp (stock replacement) relays:
Both relays were bought via NAPA during a charity bucket sale. The red one: Turned out to be a genuine VW relay sold as a NAPA brand.  Haven't had a problem with the originals, just doing preventative maintenance.
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~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32598
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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