Odds n' ends. Anyone know what these random parts are?

[clicknathan]

As I'm trying to learn as much as I can about my 78 FI Bus, I've come across a few things I can't figure out as to what they are

1. Coolant cap?
Hmmm. What is this cooling?

2. A hose comes from my air box to this contraption. It has two holes on the top which seem like they want to have a hose on them. But to where?

3. The blue plastic thing seen in this photo...there are two of them. Not sure if it's related, but my Bus wouldn't idle today, or even really want to run at all. Found one of them unplugged and after plugging it back in, she's a runner again.

Thanks a ton for any info you might have!

[aerosurfer]

First picture is a vacuum line from your brake booster. Should be a one way check valve, its now likely a cap over a port fort checking vacuum preasure

Second pic is charcoal cannister for scaveging fuel vapors. Lower hose connects to the side of the fan shroudn upper hose goes into your airbox.

Third pic is the plug for your fuel injectors
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77 Westy 2.0L Rockin and Rolling Resto!

72 Sportsmobile (sold)
79 Tran$porter... Parts car money machine (gone)

[Bminorguy]

First picture is a coolant flush tee someone used as a hose splice.

[Wildthings]

I would bet your brakes are pretty hard to apply if the engine isn't running and that your engine runs very poorly. I am hoping you didn't pay all that much for your Bay as I bet it has dozens of poorly done juryrigs that are going to need to be addressed.

[clicknathan]

So that "coolant anti-freeze" cap and what's beneath there isn't supposed to be there at all? If not, then you guys are saying this should be there instead?: http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?id=24494

Wildthings, yeah, my brakes are pretty weak. I mean, not too weak to drive safely, but no body is stopping on any dimes around here.

And double yeah, she's got a ton of problems, more and more lately it seems. But I've managed to keep her going (with loads of help) for years and years and many many miles of traveling. Guess I was lucky for awhile there.

Lately I spend a significant portion of my days trying to figure as much out as I can, so that hopefully I can keep her on the road for years to come.

But, it sounds like you might have additional insight into the weak brakes from these pictures. Would be quite happy to hear.

[clicknathan]

Found another curiosity.

The wires from these run one way to the coil, connecting to one of the three positive terminals, and also to the oil pressure sensor. Then they run the other way to the firewall behind the air filter.

As in the picture, they are not now, nor have ever been plugged in for the 8 or so years I've owned and driven this thing.

[Wildthings]

[Abscate]

You need to get the Muir book ( called the " idiot book" here, no offense, it's actually in the title) and go through it with a nice cup of coffee and get it tune with your Bus.

Nice observational skills sorting out that fuel injector plug.

When someone has done the kind of patches we can see in the pictures its no stretch to expect they have missed the things that will kill you by poison, fire, or plague of frogs.
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[clicknathan]

[tristessa]

EFI == Electronic Fuel Injection. AFC == Air Flow Controlled, a specific KIND of EFI. Since AFC was the only EFI factory-installed on Bays there's no need to specify (here) what kind of EFI you're working with.

"A" is the decel valve. Check the hoses going to it for leaks, check that the internal diaphragm isn't shot. Both are common situations that give huge vacuum leaks.

If the fuel pump/double relay "B" works, leave it alone. New ones are spendy and you've undoubtedly got other things to address that you could better use the money on.

That's the AFM (Air Flow Meter) not the control box (ECU, brain). ECU fits a slot near the battery on the passenger side.

The most worrisome thing I see in the area of "C" is what looks like a leaking cold-start injector weeping fuel onto the engine. Absolutely check that, people have lost everything to engine fires because of that thing leaking .. and good luck finding a NEW one (as opposed to good used) because they've been globally NLA for some time. Even the Porsche people don't have any. Yes there's a rubber boot around the wire to the oil sensor, but unless the sensor is absolutely pissing oil upwards it's not your problem. Best to have the seal but not a deal-breaker if you don't -- vacuum leaks and disconnected injectors are going to have MUCH more impact on the longevity of your engine than that seal being missing...


I totally hear you about it being nice to be NOT working on the Bus for a change. My days off for the last few months have mostly been spent working on an engine/transmission installation with my '75 .. around the rain, snow and subfreezing temperatures we've been having in Portland. An 8'4" hightop Bus doesn't fit under a 6'10" carport very well...

[clicknathan]

If the amount of questions, info and pictures I'm supplying here is ridiculous, please, just let me know.

Did a bit more digging this morning.

Fuel Relay

The part # on the fuel relay is 0 332 514 120
Which is one number off from the part listed for 79 Buses with California Emissions that Bus Depot has: https://www.busdepot.com/071906059
But this part # matches from a UK Amazon site, and while I can't verify the prongs, the diagram on the outside of the black looks to be the same: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-0332514120-Relay/dp/B004Z0W1C6

Here's my right connector:

And the front of the entire unit:

Air Box
The back of my airbox has a hole for a hose, shown below, but no hose is attached. Is that how it's supposed to be?

Air Flow Meter

There's a hole on top of my Air Flow Meter. Should this somehow connect to something, or is it for making adjustments?

Then in this picture, looking down into the barrel of the AFC meter, the flap is slightly open by default. Is that normal?

Auxiliary Air Regulator

I have seen pictures of the Aux Air Regulator online (http://www.busdepot.com/049133453-42), but can't locate it. While it's hard to see in the picture below, I'm wondering if this is at least where it's located. I wanted to test it but would love to know if I'm looking in the right place before I start tearing things apart trying to get at it / find it.

[Wildthings]

[clicknathan]

[clicknathan]

[Wildthings]

Hose #1 should go to the intake air plenum (intake air distributor) and hose #2 should go to the S-boot. From what I can see from the photos what you have is correct. The AAR is nothing but an electrically heated/controlled valve. When you look through the valve when cold there should be a small opening visible, but once the engine has been run for a few minutes and the heater in the valve has warmed the aperture should be closed. The valve may clog over time, but I have never heard of the hoses clogging, though they can certainly leak air causing a lean mixture.

The original location of the valve was not one of VW's better idea, just make sure your valve can't interfere with anything and can't fall into the fan if a hose came off.

It looks like your thermostat-flap system isn't working. If you want to drive your van in cooler weather then it is best to have this system working.

[Elvisbarnsley]

Charcoal filter can go

[Wildthings]

[clicknathan]

[clicknathan]

I see your post & pic of a 78 TSII here too Wildthings: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4341562#4341562

With the zoom in / crop of it though I can't tell exactly where that's at though.

[clicknathan]

Or maybe it's this guy? this is between 1 & 2