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Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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 Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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No.
If it's out of the weather & dry it'll be fine.
Humidity might be a factor in the cold garage, but not as bad as rolling through snow melter day in and day out.
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T.K. |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Yondermtn
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2007
Posts: 609
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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I've been driving the Vanagon regularly up until mid December before parking it until April. I'm less than 3 miles from work and never drive in snow.
The factory undercoating on these things is 30 years old and cracked, you don't want salt water in there. The door and window seals could also crack, harden or shrink also leading to rust.
There are about 8 months to drive safely. Those other 4 months make you appreciate it more;)
As far as service/maintenance, I don't know if many shops want to deal with engine conversions. Maybe ask around first. It might be tough to find someone to work on any Vanagon. I'm in the NW burbs.
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1977 Westfalia 2.0FI 4spd
1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto |
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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No, you'll be fine.
Speaking as a Midwestern snow-belt neighbor from Wisconsin, I can say that it would be cruel and unusual punishment to purchase a nice, clean west coast Westfalia and then subject it to our harsh winters.
I realize it may be a difficult choice to invest all that money in a vehicle you will drive only 8 months out of the year, but your sweet 25-35-year-old Vanagon is best kept in a garage of some sort during the salty winters. Once that cancer starts, it's nearly impossible to stop, even in a garage ...
Before putting her away late in the fall, go thru a premium car wash with a full underbody spray, perhaps followed by a hand waxing at home. In the Spring, wait until the first few rains wash the salt from the streets, then go camping! |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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| ELO78 wrote: |
More good discussion! Thanks!
So, let's say I use the Vanagon for spring, summer, and fall, always parking it in my unheated garage. Then I park it in my unheated garage for the duration of winter. My primary vehicle will be used during winter, pulling in and out of the garage, right next to the Vanagon. Is this a death sentence for the Vanagon? |
If you keep it off road during salt season, it will be fine. My diesel a Vanagon survived until 1999 with minimal rust in upstate NY. Rust protection on these cars is good.
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ELO78
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2015
Posts: 168
Location: Oak Park, IL
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| Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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I'm digging up this thread to share some good news...
We found our van back in March. After it arrived, and I got plates and tags, I drove it up to Dr. Darby, in Cary, Illinois. He gave it a thorough inspection, and provided recommendations for maintenance, along with a few upgrades. Here's a summary of the work, in no particular order.
-Replaced a/c belt, power steering belt, and alternator belt
-Replaced rear hatch struts
-Upgraded to 15" MB wheels, with new correct load-rating tires -- thanks to Chris / T3 for all the hardware to make them fit!
-Installed Bilstein Extra HD shocks all around
-Changed transaxle and engine oil
-Flushed brake fluid
-Complete tune up, including plugs, cap, rotor, ignition wires -- I had a compression test performed: #1-145; #2-140; #3-137; #4-140
-Cleaned and tightened all engine bay grounds
-Repaired some wire damage -- damn mice!
-Replaced air and fuel filters
-Replaced fuel expansion chamber check valves and gromets
-Added an auxiliary battery and 12V socket
-Addressed two small rust spots
-And last, but not least, new fuel lines!
Many thanks to those of you who exchanged emails and PMs with me as I hunted for, and finally found, my van. Unfortunately, here's the only photo I have to share right now.
[/img][/list] |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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| ELO78 wrote: |
| We found our van back in March. |
Congrats and nice find! 
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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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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Yondermtn
Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2007
Posts: 609
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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Very nice!
Another Chicagoland Multivan 
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1977 Westfalia 2.0FI 4spd
1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto |
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ELO78
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2015
Posts: 168
Location: Oak Park, IL
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 4:04 am Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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Just wanted to share a few more photos...
We had Blue Barry up to Wisco a few weekends ago. He delivered a flawless performance.
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Eric
1990 Westy Multivan, 2.1 L WBX, 4-speed - SOLD
2003 EuroVan Westy Weekender |
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zuhandenheit
Samba Member
Joined: June 27, 2008
Posts: 846
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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| That looks great! |
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pablum
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2015
Posts: 562
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:53 am Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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Nice van! I'm all jelly.
Last edited by pablum on Wed Jul 20, 2016 7:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Gruppe B
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:59 am Post subject: |
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| ELO78 wrote: |
More good discussion! Thanks!
So, let's say I use the Vanagon for spring, summer, and fall, always parking it in my unheated garage. Then I park it in my unheated garage for the duration of winter. My primary vehicle will be used during winter, pulling in and out of the garage, right next to the Vanagon. Is this a death sentence for the Vanagon? |
You van will be fine as long as you keep it off the road during the winter.
I have a California van shipped to Canada and we keep it as a 3 season vehicle. No issues whatsoever.
Vanagons should never be driven on salty winter roads due to rusting |
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alijonny
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Des Plaines, IL
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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Oak Park, huh? I Live near Scoville Park, Maybe you have seen my White Syncro lurking around the city?
I also should add that I am a Euro/ Porsche Tech downtown, so if you need help or anything, let me know. I have a few VW bus and Vanagon clients around the city, so I am one option for repair. It's not totally dry out here as other suggest.
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1965 Beetle
1990 Syncro Westfalia
1983 Westfalia |
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weswsimpson
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2015
Posts: 191
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase and ownership advice for Chicago |
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You could try renting a small van-based RV for a few weeks, to see if you like the lifestyle first. You don't have to worry about repairs and storage, use it when you need it. And most importantly, just enjoy....
If you don't like working on your own cars, be prepared to pay someone (a lot) to do it for you.... |
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iceracer
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2006
Posts: 949
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase advice - Chicago area [Update: Got one!] |
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Pm me for details as I am in Milwaukee I and have an 89 Wolfsburg edition weekender, no pop top, I am getting ready to sell. It is a white star. Minor , minor rust. Not what you usually see in wi. 2.2 Wbx I built some years back.
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86 Syncro Wolfsburg edition
63 Beetle (The Iceracer) |
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iceracer
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2006
Posts: 949
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:18 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase advice - Chicago area [Update: Got one!] |
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Sorry I posted before all this loaded. I see you found a van.
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86 Syncro Wolfsburg edition
63 Beetle (The Iceracer) |
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alijonny
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Des Plaines, IL
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase advice - Chicago area [Update: Got one!] |
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Iceracer, I think you missed the part where they picked one up already...
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1965 Beetle
1990 Syncro Westfalia
1983 Westfalia |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Purchase advice - Chicago area [Update: Got one!] |
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Love that colour scheme. Keep that away from salt!
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