trip to Alaska in January in 91 Syncro- Help!

[skstrom]

Help! I just bought a 1991 Syncro 7 passenger to drive from New Hampshire to Alaska in JAnuary loaded with my husband, 2 dogs, 3 cats and all our worldly possessions. THe dealership just quoted us $1500 to replace a broken heater blower motor and resistor. WE can't afford that, but have to have that fixed. Has anyone done this? I understand it is very involved and just have to tear open the dash. We're taking it to another European mechanic specialist for a second opinion, but I'm considering trying it myself. Any thought?

[DAIZEE]

Sounds exciting but is it realistic to do within 2 mths of buying (assuming you just bought it) CONGRATS by the way. Have you changed you fuel lines???? VERY IMPORTANT. Have you had it loaded and taken it on some long road trips? Do you know the van well?

Quite a few Sambanistas did Alaska this past summer, early fall. January could be a tough time to travel that far and that far north. I'm sure lots more will comment and give you good information. Good luck
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[joetiger]

Ben has a great page on front heater R&R on his site:

http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm

If the motor isn't completely seized, you could try the Mullendore Port:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=386923&highlight=mullendore+port

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=395661&highlight=mullendore+port

Change the fuel lines! Have that mechanic go through the entire van!

And good luck on your trip!
_________________
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

[danfromsyr]

have back up heat.. broken down is bad enough
broken down and popsicles is pretty much worse.
unless you break down with ruptured fuel lines (well it's usually just a high pressure leak/stream)
then the fire would keep you all warm, and hopefully alert the locals 150miles down the road to start searching for you.

I'm just saying that because I don't have any clue what to expect on the road in Jan headed to/into Alaska.

sounds like agreat roadtrip
Enjoy.

If you need help when passing thru Central NY (I-90 corridor) PM me for my number.
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[DAIZEE]

I think it is an exciting prospect, just know your van AND you have to post pics along the way or perhaps, maybe I'll repossess your van! jk but pictures for sure.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[skstrom]

Thanks for all your responses. Re: replacing fuel lines- from what I can identify, they have been done. GoWesty .com kit says for a Syncro you need 15 feet of replacement lines. GermanSupply.com shows a diagram for a non-Syncro. I looked back and forth, back and forth between the engine and the picture, and could only identify at most 4 feet of cable. THe fuel tank is less than two feet from the motor, I don't understand why I need more feet of fuel lines than a regular vanagon. I also couldn't identify the fuel filter. I am ordering the Bentley repair manual to become more familiar with what I am looking at, this entire vehicle is upside down and backwards compared to anything else I've worked on, for gods sake the valve covers are pointed towards the ground. I've only driven this beast twice and I'm completely hooked, I may have to live out of it to afford it but I'm almost ready to make that choice.

The dealership says the beast needs a new heater motor and resister, but hot air comes out of the vents while the van is moving, just not while stopped, so maybe we'll make it to Alaska fine, as long as we keep moving. THere is a rear heater under the bench seat that has a working blower, so we can use that to heat the cabin whenever we have to stop.

I think my husband and I will attempt the Mullendore port first, may attempt the dash destruction, but we will still have the mechanic replace a CV boot and check her for roadtrip worthiness, and go over all the fuel lines.

[tschroeder0]

Awesome! You'll have a great time, but prepare for the ice and snow for sure.
Bring extras gass cans because a heck of a lot of the gas stations that you will read about along the way will not be open.

Get the Milepost.

What is you final destination? Are you going to be sleeping in the van at all?

Todd.

[tschroeder0]

and FYI check the callisfieds for a blower motor, I know for sure that Terry Kay has good resistors for sale.

[0to60in6min]

did you check the blower motor switch?

mine is dead at position #1 but #2 and #3 work. Take the switch out and short the wires to see if it works or not..

good luck

[Gauche1968]

It would be nice to hear from someone who has actually made that trip in the Winter.
_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

[Crughy]

Well... I am going to be negative. But it is quite a trip!

You can't afford not to fix your heater. Plain and simple.
You will need an extra one in back up too. Propane or something.

In January. It can get so cold up there, plastic just break as glass.

You will need a winterized van: maybe a bra or something to reduce air flow to the radiator.

You will need better than excellent wipers. extra extra wipers and fluid too.
I would bring and extra tank too. It's not well located.
extra pump while at it.
Studded tire up there of course. Extra headlights must be a must too.

Tire wise, most people have 2 spares. I don't think it's that bad in winter. Roads are not as rough in winter usually.

You will have to have survival kits too. And know what to do when you break down. Never leave your car. You can die almost minutes few yards away your van in total blizzard, You have to realize you can die in such a trip.
Flares, food for few days, gas, plenty of clothes, etc. shovel, snow tracks, etc.
You won't see daylight almost... so driving at "night" most of the day.

You van should be is excellent order, in and out. Even more than that. If you are broke and can't afford a 1500$ repair. This sounds real bad to me!

You just can't be unprepared.

Extreme cold can make those van loose coolant and overheat.

Renting a satellite phone is a good idea.

EDIT: I just saw you are from NH. So you know already most of this.

[syncro2x]

Better get some good snow tires. 2WD Vanagons are weak in the snow.

[ithinkso]

I'm not usually a very cynical person but the fact that you are wanting to travel 4000 miles to Alaska in January in a syncro you just bought kind of worries me. The heater blower motor could end up being the least of your troubles and you could end up having more adventure than you bargained for. I'm not saying it can't be done but there are a bunch of precautions I'd take before doing so.

- have a mechanic look you rig over and make sure everything is running like a top

- be absolutely sure those fuel lines have been replaced...especially since you are traveling across the country with all your possessions and pets. A good sign to look for would be the plastic fitting between the firewall and the engine bay. If you have this your lines are original AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. That plastic fitting will break and then you have pressurized fuel streaming on to a hot manifold which is definitely not good. If it were me I'd just replace them to be safe.

- plan to break down because you probably will. Make sure you have emergency gear to keep you and your pets warm in the cold. Make sure you have towing coverage.

- Get to know how your van works by reading through the samba and other vanagon resources. There is everything you need to know how to keep your van running well and fix it when it's broken. It takes some time to figure out how to know where to look for it though. Get a bently service manual too.

- It would be nice to have some kind of internet connection and The Vanagon Rescue Squad site bookmarked

I'm sure others will chip in on other stuff you can do

Good luck with your trip...it does sound like fun
_________________
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
- Edward Abbey

1985 Westy, Zetec powered

[IdahoDoug]

The extra fuel line is to replace the sections from the engine to the fuel tank on the Syncro. These sections are difficult and most drop the fuel tank. On the good side they're not aged fast by engine heat like the ones in the engine bay, and they're not atop the hot exhausts like the others. I have always assumed the standard 2wd kit doesn't include replacing the fuel lines to the tank in the front of the van, but for some reason the Syncro kit includes these lines and of course the Syncro tank is at the rear.

You're getting some good advice here. I don't know what route you're taking, but if you're coming out the I-90 through Idaho you'll be in my back yard and if you're discovering issues along the way you can do a pit stop here. I have an 87 and have been through a good bit of it so far, plus MelloCat lives here and is a renowned Vanagon guru. So just a shoutout that if you come through here you will have some excellent enroute support before you turn seriously North.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[IdahoDoug]

Syncro 2X - it's a Syncro....

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[IdahoDoug]

The Syncro's don't have that problematic plastic firewall connector. They trade off a half dozen other little issues - heh.

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[climberjohn]

For all long road trips, this site can save your behind:

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php

It's user reviews of North American VW repair shops. If you break down in Mule Muffin, Manitoba, it could point you in the right direction to get a fix.

Oh, and times 2 on the suggestion to get really good towing insurance or AAA turbo-platinum coverage.

Good luck,
-CJ
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[PNWesty]

Check this post for some insights on northern coldness in a Vanagon:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...mp;start=0

[noganav]

Get AAA. Get some good winter tires and 2 spares. Get a good metal snow shovel and a couple 1x4 foot pieces of carpet to drive on if you're stuck. Get an orange cone or flare, and some kind of indication that you need help.

Install a block heater and plug the van in at night. Replace your coolant before you go, and make sure it's up to the task. If your van starts to overheat and it's below -40, it means the coolant in the radiator froze and you're up sh*t creek.

Get proper clothes, boots socks and 2 pairs of gloves for everyone. Lots of layers. You need more clothes than you think at -40. Get an auxiliary source of heat for inside the van if it breaks down, like a Mr. Heater buddy. Of course be careful to allow proper ventilation.

My advice would be to stay south as long as you can. Drive through the states, not through Canada, because the stretches of road between towns are shorter south of the border especially in the west. Work the kinks out of the van before you start really heading north.

Once you're north of Prince George BC, you're looking at hundreds of miles between towns. Leave early to take advantage of the 7-8 hours of daylight that you'll get, and avoid the temptation to drive too long after dark or before sunrise when the roads are slick and the deer and moose come for the salt.

My honest advice would be to fly up, and bring your van in May. January is about as bad as it gets for traveling between towns up there. If everything functions properly, you'll be fine. But, be aware that you're relying on that van completely. If something goes wrong and you're unprepared for the cold or too far from help you could quickly find yourself in very serious trouble.

The danger is not really the road conditions, they are usually pretty good. It's the fact that you will be hundreds of miles from the nearest source of help *for most of the last half of your trip*. Up north a cell phone isn't going to be of any use, so you have to be able to stick it out in the van until someone comes along. Maybe that's an hour, maybe it's tomorrow or the next day. Either way, it's going to feel like a long cold wait.

Best of luck, I hope that everything goes smoothly!

[VisPacem]