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debbiej
Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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 Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:33 pm Post subject: Rialta |
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We are a few days away from pulling the trigger on a 95 rialta. I'm nervous. But very excited. Maybe crazy. The Toyota sunrader will be sold to cover the cost. It is a good deal, and yet I hope we don't regret it!
I've visited rialta heaven in CA and have wanted one ever since. My husband has always wanted one. Wish me luck, offer advice.
A shop is checking it out tomorrow, but who knows if they will know what to check for. I suppose when I see it, I may spot all kinds of scary things and change my mind. |
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tpinthepack
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Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 816
Location: clearwater,florida
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 3:07 am Post subject: |
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They are growing on me also. Vanagon can't really tow much in the way of a camper so this is appealing. I see them being serviced at Lokey VW in Clearwater often. It does not fit on a normal Car lift so often the local VW shop does not work on them. I watched a house AC repair last week that required a ton of interior removal and a lot of waiting on parts. The mechanic did say the Rialta does not follow the VW model year exactly, they could be a newer model with an older engine etc. Good luck I am envious.
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 6:20 am Post subject: |
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the 95 Rialta will have the 5cyl 2.5l eurovan engine. this whould be a Digifant with knock sensor system, which will help with the predetonation issues that many 93 5cyl EVs had.. unless it's a 93 chassis made into a 95 Rialta.
you'll want to run high octane in excessive heat or altitude conditions to preserve the engine internals.
just be picky over the cooling system, the EVs have nearly more hoses and ends than the vanagon does. and there are a couple items in the fan circuit that can cause overheating from old/aged parts.
mainly
the fan shutters-thermostat-pivot sticks keeping them closed
the fans metal strip fuse-age/corrode/crack
the fans speed resistors corrode and fail
the fans relays can melt from excessive operation created by stuck shutters.
there are a few plastic coolant hose connections that age and crack/fail similar to the vanagon.. proactive maintenance is key here.
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 8:37 am Post subject: |
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| Good info, thanks! We had a 93 eurovan and liked it. Until we see this vehicle, we won't know. It has pretty high mileage, but a great price and in good condition. We just drove our Westy from cruces to LA and husband drove it back, it did great. So cold feet on the rialta might happen. I'm still in LA, and will try to get to the rialta, check it out and drive the rest of the way home. |
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Dana Champion
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Joined: July 06, 2012
Posts: 633
Location: Ventura County, CA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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Rialtas are pretty nice, especially if you want a bathroom, microwave,etc. The pullout bath is unique to LéSharo / Rialta, Winnebagos, and is pretty cool. Gives you more space when not using the shower. In 1995 they had basically two floorplans. One with four seats. Two of which make a forward bed, with the kitchen in the middle. The other floorplan has either twin beds or a double bed with the kitchen behind the drivers seat. The fact that yours has some miles on it is probably a good sign that the trans is ok. I've heard stories of the auto trans being the" achillies heal ", with eurovans. Before you pull the trigger, make sure that you know what Winnebago offered in the Rialta line, so you are happy with what you have ; unless the price on this one is so good you just can't pass it up. I have owned VW vans forever. I have a '70, and an '88 Westfalia. I had a '85 Lesharo and loved it. I had planned to get a Rialta. When new they cost a lot more than the eurovan full camper, and now are selling for less. If you have the space to keep it, could be awesome. Hope it works out for you. You can tell a lot by a visual inspection of how it was cared for. Having the mechanicals checked out is always a good thing, when possible.Best of luck with your decision.
Happy Travels
Dana
ps. if you Google Winnebago Archives, you can look at sales brochures for all years of the Rialta, if you want to compare amenities, options, specs., etc.
Last edited by Dana Champion on Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:27 am Post subject: |
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| Got it, love it! At least so far |
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kamzcab86
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Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| debbiej wrote: |
| Got it, love it! At least so far |
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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debbiej
Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Also can anyone direct me to how to visually inspect a timing belt to determine if it has been or should be changed? It has 148,000 miles and the previous owner didn't know if it had been changed. I've got about 300 miles to drive home.
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djkeev
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kamzcab86
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks again for the information. The you tube video makes me want to get it done before I leave Tucson. I know it's a 5 cyl, 2.5. L engine, but I can't seem to learn if it is interference or non interference. Either way, I like the peace of mind of knowing when it was done.
The Toyota will be advertised when I get home, and yes, the Westy question is again raised!
It's a good one, and we have to think hard about that.
My grandkids walked in it and immediately begin playing like they were on a commercial flight. Pretty funny because it has that feel for sure.
I slept out there last night and it was super comfortable. Everything works so well. Generator, heater, all the goodies. It even has a pump assisted shower drain. |
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Gruppe B
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Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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My 1992 Eurovan is non-interference but iirc the 1995 5 cylinder is.
Be careful about the belt, if it was never changed it is really past it's service.
The dealer time to replace the timing belt and waterpump was 8 hours when I had it done last, but factor in rusty engine where I am. |
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pioneer1
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Joined: February 11, 2008
Posts: 2069
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:16 am Post subject: |
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I sold mine last fall-same 1995 year and 109,000 miles. We loved it and traveled from Canada to NJ to Georgia,to Grand Canyon.
I highly recommend you join the Yahoo Rialta Tech group for hours of interesting technical information, Part of that education should lead you to instal transmission fluid cooler-piece of mind for $150. If you have any questions PM me- I had my hands into everything on the Rialta Jim
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Got the timing belt changed, and they did a pretty thorough inspection as well. It is in very good mechanical condition, "very well maintained" was the comment. Drove it home and it is delightful to travel in. The tach shows Rpms to be around 4000 at 65. Is that high? |
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pioneer1
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Joined: February 11, 2008
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Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:49 am Post subject: |
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That tach reading is normal. Small engine pushing big box. I found 62 mph was a nice cruising speed.
I'll mention this in advance since you live in NM. We were in your state in October,85* daytime temp with an elevation of about 9000'. We experienced fuel smells and big back pressure when the gas cap was removed (the charcoal canister being fouled by gasoline pressure.) Seems it was a normal design problem and the remedy was just to leave the gas cap cracked open.
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"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:31 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you. It is so comfortable to ride in. 62 will be fine. |
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debbiej
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Joined: December 14, 2008
Posts: 1556
Location: las cruces, nm
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| Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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We removed the large second row seats. There is a lot of room! A 12v cooler and a cabinet will go where the "companion" seats went. All things work. Opened awning today, it is big, but easier to deploy than it first appeared. I've read opinions that the 95-96 were good years. I like it that ours is shorter than the 6 cyl.
The sunrader is listed.
then we will be all VW. Jetta, Passat, westfalia and rialta.
We should probably sell the westy..
But it is so dependable and simple |
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