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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50336
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 Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| WD-40 isn't a lubricant. |
WD40 makes a pretty good cleaner while acting as a mediocre lubricant. So for something like as a swivel seat which is apt not to be functioning well as much due to a buildup of dirt as a lack of lube may respond well to WD40 or at least using WD40 prior to adding some other lubricant. WD40 products also have the best can design on the market IMO, so I use them much more than I used to.
Last edited by Wildthings on Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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I'm that way with PB Blaster. I really enjoy the accuracy and pressure so I end up using it a lot more than I should or in cases where it's not optimal. Hitting a bolt from 3 feet away while you're upside down is very satisfying!
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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BCE56
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2013
Posts: 358
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| MajorPIle wrote: |
| I'm considering buying a 1990 Vanagon that will need a new engine. I plan on putting in the Subaru ej22 since I'm in California, but I'm wondering how easy it is to still find those engines? Will I have any trouble getting one? |
Samba classifieds:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...rds=subaru
Good info here:
https://www.busaru.com/
Quite happy w/ my SmallCar conversion and support.
_________________
=BCE56=
'86 Syncro tintop
EJ22, OBD II early SC adapter plate conversion
Side project: '69 Frankenbug "It's alive!" |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7754
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| howler9 wrote: |
| My passenger swivel seat has a harder time, well, swiveling than the driver seat. Is it just a matter of adding some WD-40? Maybe cleaning it up? Just want to get a second opinion, many thanks! |
Absolutely clean it up, but rather than grease or lube, don't discount the long-term benefits of UHMW tape in this application:
https://smile.amazon.com/TapeCase-423-5-UHMW-Tape-...3&th=1
- slippery as he!! (sticks like it, too)...
- never dries out...
- never attracts dirt/grit...
- it'll be a LONG time before you need to reapply (if ever)...
- keeps you smiling the whole time...
- Dave
PS: While you're there, works great on the slider tracks, too! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I'm that way with PB Blaster. I really enjoy the accuracy and pressure so I end up using it a lot more than I should or in cases where it's not optimal. Hitting a bolt from 3 feet away while you're upside down is very satisfying! |
At 70 any stream is welcome , to hades with accuracy
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.ssS! |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| I'm that way with PB Blaster. I really enjoy the accuracy and pressure so I end up using it a lot more than I should or in cases where it's not optimal. Hitting a bolt from 3 feet away while you're upside down is very satisfying! |
At 70 any stream is welcome , to hades with accuracy |
Is that a lubricant? 
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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66Slow
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2021
Posts: 1
Location: Gold Coast
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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Can anyone help decode a vin please?
236013650
Thanks 🙏 |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| 66Slow wrote: |
Can anyone help decode a vin please?
236013650
Thanks 🙏 |
Try this:
http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=110
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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howler9
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2012
Posts: 30
Location: United States
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| dhaavers wrote: |
Absolutely clean it up, but rather than grease or lube, don't discount the long-term benefits of UHMW tape in this application:
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That does look promising! Does it swivel even better than lube? Is there any guide on cleaning and taping the swivel seats out there?
_________________
1984 1.9L Westy |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7915
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| howler9 wrote: |
| My passenger swivel seat has a harder time, well, swiveling than the driver seat. Is it just a matter of adding some WD-40? Maybe cleaning it up? Just want to get a second opinion, many thanks! |
Conduct routine cleaning/re-lube as needed, but usually a hard-turning swivel is the result of the 4 mounting nuts being tightened too much. Back the nuts off a little at a time, trying to swivel the base after each loosening attempt. When it swivels without much resistance, reinstall the seat.
| 66Slow wrote: |
Can anyone help decode a vin please?
236013650
Thanks 🙏 |
That's not a Vanagon VIN.
_________________
~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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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50336
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| Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| howler9 wrote: |
| dhaavers wrote: |
Absolutely clean it up, but rather than grease or lube, don't discount the long-term benefits of UHMW tape in this application:
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That does look promising! Does it swivel even better than lube? Is there any guide on cleaning and taping the swivel seats out there? |
Oil based lubes tend to attract dust and other grime. They may work well at first but with time end up thickly caked with crud. |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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I just installed two 100w Newpowa panels on the roof*, with a Renogy Rover Elite 40amp MPPT controller. The input voltage is around 17.5v, but the house battery is being maintained at around 11.5v. I'm currently running a 130L 12v/120v Truckfridge, but it was exhibiting this same behavior prior to the fridge install. Prior to the solar install, I had never seen the house battery drop below 12.1v
The Renogy manual is not much help, and I'm a total noob to the solar hive mind.
Li'l help?
*I also installed an external input port in the side of the van for a third 100w panel, but nothing changes.
_________________
Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10367
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
I just installed two 100w Newpowa panels on the roof*, with a Renogy Rover Elite 40amp MPPT controller. The input voltage is around 17.5v, but the house battery is being maintained at around 11.5v. I'm currently running a 130L 12v/120v Truckfridge, but it was exhibiting this same behavior prior to the fridge install. Prior to the solar install, I had never seen the house battery drop below 12.1v
The Renogy manual is not much help, and I'm a total noob to the solar hive mind.
Li'l help?
*I also installed an external input port in the side of the van for a third 100w panel, but nothing changes. |
This is what I'd start with:
- ensure controller is set up to work with your battery type. e.g. SLA
- clean and/or improve grounds.
- check battery condition, fluid levels.
- in full sun, compare voltage at MPPT controller to voltage at battery. e.g. is fuse between controller and battery ok?
- compare voltage at battery when using panels vs a lower amp output battery charger.
This is a rough estimate but in full sun, battery charged up, even one 100 Watt panel should keep up with demands of the truck fridge, if that's the only load.
I had a quick look at the manual. It appears to be well written but then werds are not my strong suite. 
Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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When I was rotating the engine over by hand I noticed I hit a point and it went "clunk". The engine has good tension so it would spring back a bit and I could hit it again and again and it would go clunk clunk clunk. I did notice that this point moved forward as I rocked the engine back and forth.
Borked motor? Misadjusted valves?
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50336
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
When I was rotating the engine over by hand I noticed I hit a point and it went "clunk". The engine has good tension so it would spring back a bit and I could hit it again and again and it would go clunk clunk clunk. I did notice that this point moved forward as I rocked the engine back and forth.
Borked motor? Misadjusted valves? |
What engine are you talking about here? Has it been sitting for a long while? |
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4348
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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Also, around and around in the same direction might only be finding out half of the issue.. Try rotating it something like a clock at 10 to 2 and then back to 10, etc.. Does it clunk when you change directions?
But, as I read back, maybe that is what you meant by rocking it back and forth... If you are literally rocking the engine, is it loose on its bolts,studs to the transmission, or how about the rubber engine mounts in the mustache bar?
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
I just installed two 100w Newpowa panels on the roof*, with a Renogy Rover Elite 40amp MPPT controller. The input voltage is around 17.5v, but the house battery is being maintained at around 11.5v. I'm currently running a 130L 12v/120v Truckfridge, but it was exhibiting this same behavior prior to the fridge install. Prior to the solar install, I had never seen the house battery drop below 12.1v
The Renogy manual is not much help, and I'm a total noob to the solar hive mind.
Li'l help?
*I also installed an external input port in the side of the van for a third 100w panel, but nothing changes. |
This is what I'd start with:
- ensure controller is set up to work with your battery type. e.g. SLA
- clean and/or improve grounds.
- check battery condition, fluid levels.
- in full sun, compare voltage at MPPT controller to voltage at battery. e.g. is fuse between controller and battery ok?
- compare voltage at battery when using panels vs a lower amp output battery charger.
This is a rough estimate but in full sun, battery charged up, even one 100 Watt panel should keep up with demands of the truck fridge, if that's the only load.
I had a quick look at the manual. It appears to be well written but then werds are not my strong suite.
Neil. |
Thanks Neil, I've done all you listed, except load test the battery. It's a high quality 80ah AGM/SLA which is only a couple years old. I have a separate gauge and it's also showing the same battery voltage as the Renogy. Like I said before, this low battery issue was happening before I installed the fridge, so it doesn't seem to be load contingent. The fridge has been running non-stop for a couple days. It seems like the controller is choking voltage down to just below 12v despite the consistent 17v input from the panels. I sure wish this thing had an adjustable minimum voltage feature.
_________________
Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| What engine are you talking about here? Has it been sitting for a long while? |
1.9l wbx. It sat for a day. That said, after 15 seconds of running to move it into my garage I couldn't reproduce the issue. The engine is prone to some clacky valves when cold.
| bobbyblack wrote: |
Also, around and around in the same direction might only be finding out half of the issue.. Try rotating it something like a clock at 10 to 2 and then back to 10, etc.. Does it clunk when you change directions?
But, as I read back, maybe that is what you meant by rocking it back and forth... If you are literally rocking the engine, is it loose on its bolts,studs to the transmission, or how about the rubber engine mounts in the mustache bar? |
2 of my engine mounts are really worn. I ordered 2 when I started the tear down however long ago not realizing there are 4. The GW order that just arrived finally had the other 2, hah. If it's this, it will get changed soon.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
When I was rotating the engine over by hand I noticed I hit a point and it went "clunk". The engine has good tension so it would spring back a bit and I could hit it again and again and it would go clunk clunk clunk. I did notice that this point moved forward as I rocked the engine back and forth.
Borked motor? Misadjusted valves? |
Take your distributor cap off so you can see which cylinder in making the "clunk".
Do you feel any compression?
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: Official lazy person's stupid question thread |
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Oh that's a good idea. I'll do that tomorrow and see if I can reproduce it. Removing the cap doesn't change the timing, does it?
There is a lot of compression. It is not an easy motor to rotate. It really pushes back if you don't get it past the cylinder TDC.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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