I've joined the dark side: 2001 Weekender

[Zeitgeist 13]

I added a GMRS radio, so we could converse with fellow van travelers while caravanning.

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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[Abscate]

ESPN button tells you that it’s already raining.
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.ssS!

[Zeitgeist 13]

Funny thing about that little project is that when I was in the middle, I decided to try and plug an Audi hazard switch in there because it was from appearances exactly the same, but it wasn't. Smoke came boiling out from behind the dash. It was a fiasco. I had to dig deep into the dash to free up the harness and re-insulate all the burnt wires. nuts. Not doing that again.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[Joshwa]

I always like the look of moving the hazard switch for a temp gauge.
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93 Weekender TDI conversion (AHU)
93 MV TDI conversion (1Z)
Weekender rear cot
Late model cabin air filter on 93
Euro spec bumper install on 93

[Zeitgeist 13]

The switch in the upper left is for toggling between the radio being tied to the starting battery via the ignition switch, or the house battery. The switch to the right is for the aftermarket seat heaters that replaced my non-functioning factory units. The next row down has a rotary switch for the front aux. driving lights and rear aux. backup lights. The next switch is a placeholder for the switch to toggle the video feed on independent of the reverse switch. The next switch is to toggle between a front and rear camera--this hasn't been completed yet. And lastly, the switch in the pod is for the battery gauges. Not shown is a switch in the upper console for the display screen for the aux. heater, which ridiculously has no factory means of shutting itself off. Then another switch just above the driver's headrest to turn on a light up in the poptop.

I love running wires.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[CdnVWJunkie]

A lot going on there Casey. Looks a little like a cockpit...

I think the primary think the OP was alluding to was the Double DIN radio.

[ocelotpotpie]

Can you elaborate a bit on what's in the dash photo?

[Zeitgeist 13]

Wow, it's been a while since I updated this thread. Well, I replaced the heater core, which was mostly uneventful. The van's been running great and has been on several camping trips with our local van group. I think I promised to post a pic of my updated dash setup a while back, so here goes:

That pod below the dash is a re-purposed rear heater vent cover.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[xavior12]

Heater core huh?

I've done a few of them now, both '99-2000 and '01-'03. Not hard at all. I've always evacuated the A.C. to be able to remove the whole assembly. Be sure to loosen or remove the A pillar trim for the dash cover to clear other wise you'll brake the lower trim from dash. once the whole assembly is out, you can unfasten the clips and blow it clear and clean of trash and what not.

[Zeitgeist 13]

I believe this is the unit:

https://www.gruvenparts.com/24v-vr6-power-pulleys/
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[Abscate]

Does anyone have the part number or link to the replaceable bearing?

Adding this to my spares
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.ssS!

[Zeitgeist 13]

Drove down and retrieved the van today. It took a tick over 15 mins to install the tensioner and belt. Van runs great and no other obvious signs of stress to the drivetrain. Now I get to dive into replacing the heater core
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[Zeitgeist 13]

Thanks!
_________________
Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[xavior12]

Yes, theres an internal clip to hold the replaceable bearing. That side of pulley faces the tensioner. The bolts washer wont clear the internal clip otherwise.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Are the pulleys made to have replaceable bearings, as in do they have a circlip holding them in place?

Now that I'm back home, I reached into my used part stash and found a smooth pulley that fit perfectly. Of course I'm not sure how long a smooth pulley could keep the belt on track, but it is nice to see the pulleys do have other potential temporary donors available. The Meyle pulley that Stripped66 posted earlier has been confirmed by others to fit this tensioner.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[xavior12]

At my place of work, I have installed 28 of the aluminum Serp. belt tensioner pulleys on a mix of 12V and 24V rental vans. Theres no difference in the size of the pulleys. We have had zero issues with them so far. BTW, that bolt is left hand tight, right hand loose.

I wise investment for any Eurovan owner.

[ocelotpotpie]

I had the same exact thing happen on a van. I was fortunate enough to find a local AutoZone that had the pulley in stock, and another Oreilly had the belt in stock. I was in Joshua Tree, CA, so I was pretty surprised that I was able to find the parts. It was an expensive Lyft ride getting all the bits, though.

My tensioner started cracking at the bolt threads, so I replaced it with an OEM one I had in a box from another van. I did notice the pulleys were a little bit different, but because it's just a roller I don't think it matters much at all.

In short: it's theoretically possible to source just the pulley. The tensioner itself is damn expensive.

Also IIRC that pulley bolt is opposite thread.

[Zeitgeist 13]

This is what happens when your tensioner pulley bearing seizes and stuff gets hot.

You have been warned.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[Zeitgeist 13]

Yeah, it was towed around 3:20 or so. It's in Albany now, and we're back home in Oly waiting on parts. I might take the train down, fix and drive it back next week. Thanks for looking out for us, it would've been nice to meet.
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Casey--
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender VR6 -->2.5 TDI?
Oly Bulli
'87 300TD OM606 7mm Myna pump and HX30

[rcowan]