Official lazy person's stupid question thread

[elyk]

What could I use to plug the holes with where the middle seat is? I think I read originally there were some plastic screws/plugs?

[harvgwen]

What you can do for a plug is cut a bolt head off to make a stud, then with a hacksaw cut a slot in the top so you can install and remove it with a screwdriver. Put some anti seize or equivalent on the threads.
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1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
British Columbia, Canada

[oasis]

[DuncanS]

My steel power steering lines have rusted out. What are my choices?

'91 1WD ex-tintop.

[4Gears4Tires]

Choices:

- used power steering lines from a part out
- replace with a hydraulic hose kit from vanagain https://www.vanagain.com/shop/power-steering-metal-line-replacement-kit
- cut out and weld the rusted section
- new metal lines from dealership??? Are they NLA?
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[ALstew]

Hello,

Helping my dad with oil leaks. Fresh rebuild from a notable shop but they're not helpful.

For the leak coming from the head. Should I just follow the torquing sequence in the bently? Or is this a gasket issue?

The screen on the bottom of the block. Last oil change I inspected the gaskets and they looked fresh and reused them. I will try new gaskets, but if that doesn't work should I just silicone it closed?

also the valve cover cork gaskets, are you able to reuse those. Like if I just popped off the cover to check the torque, can I just reuse the gasket?

Thank you!

[Wildthings]

You could retorque the heads, but its a lot of work as you have to remove the cylinder tin.

Yes you could use sealant on the sump cover gaskets. How tight did you tighten the nut? Too much torque on the nut and you crack the case meaning that you can no longer apply sufficient pressure to the gasket to get a seal. The acceptable torque is very low, something like 7-9 ft*lbs, not one of German engineering's better design features.

[69tr6r]

I have a road trip planned for next week to go camping and mountain biking. The drive will be highway and over 200 miles each way.

What tools and spare parts would you bring for a trip like this? Keep in mind, I will be leaving in less than a week, so spare parts may be hard to get in time.

I've only owned my van for 6 months, and have only driven it about 1k miles so far. It runs fine, and I don't have any doubts about the van making the trip, and back. I'd just like to have a backup plan, and yes , I do have AAA, lol.

Thanks for the advice!

[CanStan]

[dobryan]

[DuncanS]

I bought some of the metric bolts, but can't remember what size there were. If you go to a local hardware store that sell metric bolts, find one that fits. I cut them about ½" long and Dremeled a screwdriver slot in the top. Put them in with blue Locktite and have the tops flush and you're done.

[DuncanS]

Oops. Just noticed that Harvgwen already said that.

[ALstew]

[fxr]

[Wildthings]

[69tr6r]

[DuncanS]

400 miles? What shape is your car in? I routinely drive on 700 plus trips and other than the tools I need when I get to my boat, I don't take anything. A near miss or two, but it was wiring and was able to either fix or bypass. For example, a couple of weeks ago My powered steering lines failed with rust so bad, had it been a bridge, I wouldn't have let an ant go across. Took off the belt and kept going. A bad stagger in Maine. Bypassed the expansion tank that had a hole and was letting water in and replaced the tank when I got home.

Otherwise, you need an AFM, ECU, throttle body, shocks, springs, transmissions, starter motors, headlights and ad infinitum. The one thing I do take with me is my triple A phone number.

Duncan

[Zephyr_shreds]

I installed the led headlights from gowesty onto my 82 diesel vanagon. They’re doing a lot of flickering and not staying on. My old regular lights get dim when I push the gas and then get real bright when I release the gas or downshift. I put 16amp fuses in the fusebox for slots 3,4,5,6. Because those fuses are for low beam and hi beam. But that doesnt fix the problem. Guys. What do I do please help.

[Zephyr_shreds]

Idk what happen. But now they only turn off for a split second when I shift, use brakes or turn signal

[4Gears4Tires]

You've got grounding issues. Take everything apart, sand it, reinstall. Good luck.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition