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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:59 pm Post subject: Poll: Long drive, did you make it? 1,000+ miles |
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I don't want to hear your whole story ...Just did you make it without repairs, if not, what repairs? how far did you drive, your route, what year is your van and what motor.
1. 85' westy GL 1.9l
2. Denver - San Diego aprx: 2,000mi round trip
3. No repairs, what what???
^ this is fake data, but i will be taking my 85' westy on this trip in a few weeks and i hope those are the results . I've done the drive 15x in my other car. looking to see the odds of making it |
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binger59 Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2007 Posts: 236 Location: Oswego, NY
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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2008
1. 84 westy 1.9L
2. Oswego NY - crater lake or- Disneyland-Vegas-Oswego ny
3. Tranny died in OR. Made it to san rafael for new tranny no other issues 7000 +- miles _________________ Binger
1984 Westy
1986 7 Pass R.I.P. Donor van
2019 Jetta
2014 Passat
2019 Atlas
2006 Passat R.I.P.
1998 Jetta R.I.P.
1984 Vanagon R.I.P. |
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foodeater Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2007 Posts: 1318 Location: Newburgh, NY
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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I drove from NYC to Detroit and back about 10-12 times in a two year span, about 630 miles each way. I had a wire came off the alternator, the voltage regulator went bad (had a spare in the van), the exhaust cracked twice (it got LOUD), fuel pump failed (I had a spare in the van), starter got weird and wouldnt start van until it sat for about an hour. Not all on the same trip. Nothing that stopped me from getting where I was going, for more than a few hours.
'84 westy
Tiico conversoin. _________________ 89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP |
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Mike Robinson Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2010 Posts: 386 Location: Nanaimo BC Canada
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Vancouver Island to Ojai California and back
5,000km
Just diesel and oil.
Mike
'82 westy diesel AAZ |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3053 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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2004:
82 Westy w/ I4 conversion
Vancouver to Coachella Valley round trip 3K+ miles
Experienced low oil pressure on return trip and limped home
Main shaft damaged, had new block installed
2005:
Same Van
Vancouver to San Fran return 2500 miles approx
Replaced ignition switch
2010:
Same Van
Vancouver to Edmonton AB return 1500+ miles
No problems at all
2012
Same Van
New owner drove from Vancouver to Toronto, Ont 2500+ miles
No problems
2011
89 Syncro Westy
Vancouver to Napa Ca return 2K+
Coolant leak from rear heater
2011
89 Syncro Westy
Vancouver to Moab Utah return approx 3K miles
Coolant hose separated from rad hose _________________ 89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject: 1000+ |
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Flagstaff to Denver twice 1,600 miles each time . First time no problems second time new fuel filter. That ant bad! About to do it again. OK and a 600 mile trip to Moab , Moab hard on parts, but the trip there and back all went OK. _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
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86 Westy Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2012 Posts: 22
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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Now I'm a bit worried. I'm leaving for 1,700 mile one way trip from Calgary to the Soo on Friday and back in 3 weeks Did a 450 mile "test drive" trip near to near Canal Flats and back including rough muddy dirt road last weekend with no problems. Van is new to me and I just got it running well. I'll let you know how it goes! |
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childofthewind Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2010 Posts: 763 Location: Eastern Sierra
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Van: 1987.5 wolfsburg; 2.1 L
Route: Oregon to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to the Southwest (Utah/AZ/SoCal) back up to Oregon
When: last spring/fall
mileage: 10k+
Repairs needed: alternator (didn't leave me stranded but the whine was driving me crazy so I dealt with it prematurely in Flagstaff); I needed control arms/ball joints (one tire was disappearing at a frightening rate). Had this work done at Folk's Cafe, Santa Cruz.
This year I drove from Oregon to Cape Cod (roughly 3,500 miles plus sidetrips) and needed no repairs although at some point my gas gauge stopped working which was a pain as my odometer also doesn't work. Then three states later it started working again. It's acting up again...
I would like to shout out a kudos to Halsey Automotive in PDX as I'd always take my van to them before these long trips for the pre-long trip check-ups. _________________ 1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Last edited by childofthewind on Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:39 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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BitterBeerFace Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2010 Posts: 386 Location: Southern MN
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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1980 Westy, 2.0 manual
2011: Trip around Lake Superior 2000+ miles all-told. Odd nothing from starter issue, replaced starter rather than F with it and get stranded in BFE Canada somewhere... shop didn't put nut over alternator-> starter connection, had to fix that in a campground in Michigan
2012: MN to BBTB and back. 1300 miles? Not sure if a problem or not, but on the way back, oil light came on, it took 1.5 quarts of oil. (!)
2012 (August): 4 weeks to go from MN -> PDX -> Vancouver -> MN... TBD _________________ 1980 Full Camper, been in the family since it was brand new!
1989 Full Camper, great-great-aunt's since brand new! |
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shadetreetim Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 1994 Location: Riverside, California
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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2011: 2600+ miles round trip and side trips. Riverside California to Oklahoma City and back pulling an 8ft tent trailer with the AC running. Interstates traveled; I-10, I-25, I-40, and I-35. Only problem was a failed fuel pump with our 89, 4SP, 2.1 WBXer. _________________ Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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Bman Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2005 Posts: 895 Location: South Coast, Oregon
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject: The Fleet: |
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Taj: 1989 Wetsy
Tiico 2.0L inline 4
Coss Bay, OR (Mid-South Coast) to Lynnwood WA; RT 1,100 miles
May 2012
No problems
Same Van: Summer 2011:
Coos Bay, OR to Toledo, OH via Colorado; RT: ??
Overheating problems on long passess, slight coolant loss, top off; blown camper fuse killed radio and lights.
Same Van, Summer 2009:
Coos Bay, OR to New York, New York; RT: ?3-4K?
No problems
1984 Doka Transporter, 2.1L WBX:
Coos Bay, OR to Tonasket, WA RT: 1,250 miles
October 2011
100 miles into trip my fuel pump failed, R&R in Eugene and resumed trip.
I always carry a spare fuel pump now on long trips. _________________ ~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"
2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl |
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Dark Alley Dan Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005 Posts: 185 Location: The Land of Wind and Ghosts (AKA Edmonton, AB)
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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'85 Weekender. Awesome van, but not without character...
2008: Edmonton to Los Osos return - c. 3000+ miles.
Engline was on its way out when we left. Drove the outbound leg on 3.5 cylinders. Split the bleeder hose 3 hours out - cut hose shorter, refilled w/distilled water. No other issues.
2010: Edmonton to Yellowstone, home via northern Wyoming, LBH, etc. - c. 2000 miles. Longest one-day leg was Bozeman to Edmonton. No issues.
2011: Edmonton to San Diego via Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. 5000+ miles total. Van stuttered and cut out south of LV. Pulled over to let her rest for 5 minutes, back on the road, no harm done. Fuel tank leak manifested itself with vigour. Repaired at San Diego Westy by Peter, who kicks ass. Lowbeams died. Turns out both bulbs went simultaneously. No other issues.
2012 - Edmonton - Halifax. Projected distance c. 7K miles. I'll let you know how we do. _________________ Dark Alley Dan
______________________
I blame rap music. For everything. |
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stormforge Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 355 Location: Adirondacks NY
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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1989 Syncro WBX
NY to Nova Scotia and back (2,000 mi?)
Water pump started leaking but held out to get us home
3 trips NY to PGH, PA (1,100 miles each)
No problems
Tour around Northern NY and Adirondacks (~800 mi)
No problems
Tour around NY and all of VT (~1,200 mi))
No problems
Van has only partially stranded me once -- transmission failed on short trip but was able to limp to shop in 2nd gear.
Recently rebuilt transmission and engine -- now I would take it anywhere with no hesitation. |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7924 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Van: 1990 Westy with A/T and original 2.1L
2010
Route: Phoenix, AZ to Durango, CO via El Morro, NM and back via Four Corners/Monument Valley
Mileage: ≈1500
Problems: Had to add a clamp to an oil cooler hose (leaking coolant).
Route: Phoenix, AZ to Park City, UT and back via the scenic route
Mileage: ≈1500
Problems: None (not counting the odometer breaking the day before I hit the road)
2011
Route: Phoenix, AZ to Hollister, CA and back via Yosemite/Kings Canyon/Death Valley
Mileage: ≈1800
Problems: Ran like crap the morning leaving Ridgecrest, CA (cleared up) and then when sitting at a signal in Las Vegas (attributed to bad gas); front brakes proved to be bad going into Death Valley. No roadside repairs required, however. Oh, and just remembered: the 3rd brake light fell off the hatch window.
Route: Phoenix, AZ to Palms Springs, CA and back via Joshua Tree and Alamo Lake
Mileage: ≈1000
Problems: Power steering leak presented itself going up the steep hill to the tram in Palm Springs (steam/smoke out of the right vent), but it wasn't bad enough to require roadside repair work.
2012
Route: Phoenix, AZ to Moab, UT and back via the Utah Nat'l Parks
Mileage: ≈1000
Problems: None
So far it's been a good little van! _________________ ~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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reivertribe Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: Austin, Texas
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Van: 1985 GL Tin top (240,000+ odometer)
Loaded down with several hundred lbs of tools and luggage, two bikes on my rear rack.
Route: Port Townsend, WA - Austin, TX
Approx, 2,400 miles
When: December 2011
Issues: None ( only one hot start issue after stopping for a pee break)
Oh, and got profiled by a California Highway Patrol car, tailed for about 3 miles while he ran my plates, he took off and I waived goodbye. _________________ 1985 Vanagon GL 1.9L "the Colonel" |
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Brad4 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2004 Posts: 60 Location: Long Island NY
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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We did three 8000+ mi cross country trips with the only problem was a noisy CV joint that we did replace on road _________________ 91 Vanaru westy
07 GTI Fahrenheit
14 GSR Beetle
66 single cab
64 Herbie Beetle |
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WestyBob Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004 Posts: 2346 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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vermontgirl wrote: |
I needed control arms/ball joints (one tire was disappearing at a frightening rate). |
Hm-m-m ... think I have this going on now !!!
Anyway ...
Van/motor: '87 westy weekender syncro w/subie 2.5L
Trip: Pdx to BBTB (AZ) and back.
Distance: @2400 miles
Issues:
One slow flat tire.
Lost one drive belt (had a spare).
Intermittent severe overheating from Death Valley to Susanville, CA (kept pulling over burping the main coolant resevoir).
Rear wiper got hung up on a bike pedal and burned out.
Fog light switch burned out.
Normally I don't have issues anymore much so this was an exception but note to self ... do a better pre-inspection job prior to road-tripping. |
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ThorAlex Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2006 Posts: 620 Location: Norway
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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2009 (i think )
1. 86 syncro doka 2.1 (DJ 112hp)
2. Steinkjer (Norway) to Roskilde festival (Denmark) and back, about 2500km
3. Starter solenoid wire fell off while gassing up somewhere in Sweden on the way down, had happened before and was an easy fix, exept filling a syncro tank makes it expand so i had to boor a female passengers hand to get in there and put it back on. Barely got to my (not so) local wrecker on my way home before i had to change the brand new steering linkage rubbr donuts, turns out the ones i bought as an OEM vanagon part were actually for a bug, i had about 2mm left before one spit completely in half Replaced with good OEM ones from a van at the wrecker.
Kinda on topic: at the festival i counted (from Norway) two more vanagons, one bay, one beautifully restored stock split and a cal look split bug. _________________ 1990 syncro 1.6TD "Smily"
Ex-vans:
1990 Caravelle coach 1.6TD
1986 Transporter Double cab syncro 2.1 112hp
"I'm wrong so often... It's great!" - Adam Savage |
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bryguth Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2010 Posts: 62 Location: So Cal.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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2010 Summer Baja surf adventure, 2000mi+
1. 84 Westy
2. 2.3 GW motor/ with 2.1 cooling system
3. Crack in (new) plastic expansion coolant tank. (guess we hit to many baja potholes)? |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Our longest was 24K over the course of a year. Had to replace the tires and the cat converter and bleed the clutch once, that was about it.
That was a few years back -- now we seldom cover more than 5K in one go.
Came home one time on the hook (okay, flatbed) when the head gaskets finally surrendered. |
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