Author |
Message |
rynodog Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2013 Posts: 11 Location: rapid city
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 7:49 am Post subject: first time owner |
|
|
I just bought a 1980 vw vanagon westfalia and was referred to this forum. it has some problems, starting with the look I got when I towed it in the driveway, not running because of an engine fire, but there is hope when she realized no more tent. (sort of)
if any of you live in rapid city south Dakota give me a pm I am always in need of advice and can try to help I am mostly a GM guy but have worked on almost everything with a motor.
My first air cooled engine was a hesston swather with a aircooled wisconson. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
r39o Samba Polizei

Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to the herd.
Pictures always seem to help.
Also, you may wish to review the bay window forum as the last couple of years share a lot in common engine side with the early Vanagon.
Good luck.
It is a journey..... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
dobryan Samba Member

Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 17123 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
desertrefugee Samba Member

Joined: January 22, 2013 Posts: 476 Location: Phoenix, AZ. USA
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:53 am Post subject: Re: first time owner |
|
|
rynodog wrote: |
My first air cooled engine was a hesston swather with a aircooled wisconson. |
Man, I had to look that one up. Thought it might have been an airplane of some sort (even with a Wiconsin).
Cool machine. I doubt if that air-cooled mill would survive more than a couple of seasons in Arizona...
Welcome and good luck with the project! _________________ - 83.5 Westfalia - 2.2 GoWesty "power"
- a bunch of vintage motorcycles
- Numerous telescopes of various size and function
"For I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Vanagon Nut Samba Member

Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10495 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I guess the old "change your fuel lines" is moot here.
Sounds like you likely won't need this, but the Haynes manual for the air cooled Vanagon is pretty decent and usually quite affordable.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rynodog Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2013 Posts: 11 Location: rapid city
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
I guess the old "change your fuel lines" is moot here.
Sounds like you likely won't need this, but the Haynes manual for the air cooled Vanagon is pretty decent and usually quite affordable.
Neil. |
yes, moot, fire started from muffler shop torching off old muffler but probable original problem was leaking fuel line since the center of the fire was the cold start valve(?). the guy I bought it from thru in a Bentley vw manual that is really helpful and helped make the final sale.
ill try to get some pics up tonight, thanks for the warm welcome from all. advice is appreciated. im hoping to get the van up and going by next spring. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Vanagon Nut Samba Member

Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10495 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Cool. The Bentley rocks.
Is the harness toast? IIRC, the ECU resides in the engine bay. Hopefully it didn't get toasted too.
The air cooled engine electrics aren't enormously complex. If the CSV is toast, depending on local climate, maybe delete? Is that part NLA? Or retro fit a CVS from a CIS or other engine management? I've read of guys wiring in a momentary switch to activate that part for starting only.
Electrical connectors for FI's etc, might be found on other VW's in a bone yard. As has been inferred, the later Bay buses use a 2.0 The Bay crowd will have tips and useful work arounds for any NLA parts.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15344 Location: Syracuse, NY
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
take a look and bookmark www.ratwell.com
welcome to the box on wheels..
Dan 1980 formerly air cooled ASI Riviera camper _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
nepawesty Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013 Posts: 108 Location: CO
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:42 pm Post subject: Welcome |
|
|
80 aircooled here. I'm pulling for you. Let me know how I can help. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rynodog Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2013 Posts: 11 Location: rapid city
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
Cool. The Bentley rocks.
Is the harness toast? IIRC, the ECU resides in the engine bay. Hopefully it didn't get toasted too.
The air cooled engine electrics aren't enormously complex. If the CSV is toast, depending on local climate, maybe delete? Is that part NLA? Or retro fit a CVS from a CIS or other engine management? I've read of guys wiring in a momentary switch to activate that part for starting only.
Electrical connectors for FI's etc, might be found on other VW's in a bone yard. As has been inferred, the later Bay buses use a 2.0 The Bay crowd will have tips and useful work arounds for any NLA parts.
Neil. |
harness is toast, I found a harness on the Karma board, if its still available, post is 3-4 yrs old. I cant pm anyone until I am a member for a day. don't know about the ecu, I know it wasn't in the fire, I have a before and after I cleaned it up pic if I can figure out how to post it. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rynodog Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2013 Posts: 11 Location: rapid city
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
midmo81 Samba Member

Joined: September 23, 2012 Posts: 114 Location: Columbia, Missouri
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You CAN do it. My 1981 after my fire looked the same.
After much cleaning, painting, replacing, and a few $$.
Good Luck. _________________ 1981 AC Westy |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Vanagon Nut Samba Member

Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10495 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice before/after shots guys.
The ratwell site Dan points has a page explaining the "double relay" and some speculation on that it may be possible to duplicate using standard relays etc.
Good luck!
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rynodog Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2013 Posts: 11 Location: rapid city
|
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
Nice before/after shots guys.
The ratwell site Dan points has a page explaining the "double relay" and some speculation on that it may be possible to duplicate using standard relays etc.
Good luck!
Neil. |
Thanks, I need it I'm still try to pick up a original harness but ill keep that in mind about the relays I probably even have some in the spare parts drawer |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 18682 Location: Retired South Florida
|
Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
It looks like the fire damage was mostly to the engine. The chemical in dry extinguishers is a base as opposed to an acid, but it is an extreme base and is as corrosive as an acid. You need to neutralize the base in addition to attacking the rust and paint in the engine compartment.
< blue my favorite color. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|