Official lazy person's stupid question thread

[Robsmaze]

Well, its tough times with the pandemic and finding workers, etc.. haven’t wanted to be a jerk and call them and whine. And they say on the customer service message right now that they won’t answer any questions about orders. It’ll come when it comes - I’m sure they are super busy and crazy right now. If I haven’t seen it in another week or so I’ll give em a ring - lol.

I’ve gotten a fair amount of stuff from busdepot in the intervening time. But some stuff looks higher quality from GW.

I just had a weekend without kids and thought I’d try to get a little more restoration work done!!
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‘87 2WD 2.1L Westy
‘87 2WD 1.7L Diesel Doka (euro spec)

[VicVan]

Rear brakes : change cylinder, shoes, hardwqre kit
All 4 brake hoses
Clean all grounds
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Robsmaze]

Jeez - rear brakes were literally clumps of rust. Removed completely and waiting on the rear brake kit from rmw. Also waiting on new SS hoses! And my new ground straps are in the delayed GW order!!!

Just can’t win!!! Patience is the key I think!!!

But, at least I’m on the right track.
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‘87 2WD 2.1L Westy
‘87 2WD 1.7L Diesel Doka (euro spec)

[DuncanS]

Thnx Turbotype1. All my switches only feed relay coils so even a crappy switch should work. However, all this is prototype work to provide proof of concept and I very well may need something different. Cole Hersey has good switches, but haven't researched to find out if they have a dimmer coupled with one.

[69tr6r]

I've had my van for about 9 months now, and I'm really loving it!
I've taken it on a couple of 200 mile out of state trips so far.
The issue I'm having is the last trip we used a bike rack that I built, and hangs the bikes vertically. The rear disc brake and wheel of the yellow bike in this picture got coated with engine oil. The bike on either side seemed to have a little oil on the rear brake disc. The far right bike had no issues. I'd be surprised if the oil were coming out of the exhaust, but maybe it is and blowing right on the yellow bike area.

I also notice a little puddle of oil that the van leaves when the engine has been running at highway speeds, then I park it. It leaves the puddle almost instantly, and it's about 3 inches in diameter. It doesn't drip after that, and I notice no oil loss on the dipstick. Bottom of my engine is oily, so it's hard to see where this oil could be originating from.

Any thoughts on what could be misting oil out of the back, and leaving a little puddle?
Thanks!

[VicVan]

Is that where the oil cooler would be? Check it, I've read that it's common for the seals to fail.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Wildthings]

Get the bikes off the back, drive it up on some blocks to where it's easy to get underneath, and open the top engine access as well and see where the oil seems to be coming from. With no fan and not moving the oil should run close to straight down from wherever it is coming out. If the oil isn't leaving a trail, you may need to clean off the grime and even use fluorescent dye.

[AndyBees]

Front main seal
Rear main seal
Oil pressure sending unit
Oil cooler
Oil filter
Push rod tubes
Oil drain plug
etc., are all possibilities...

As Wildthings said, up on blocks/ramps to observe while engine is idling!

Check the oil level and don't let it run low.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[space]

on another note the exhaust heat could damage those bikes if they are carbon or carbon wheels
https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a29002171/your-hitch-rack-might-be-damaging-your-carbon-wheels/
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs

[69tr6r]

[69tr6r]

[Crooked Designer]

[69tr6r]

[AndyBees]

Unless you've not mentioned it, if the oil was coming out the exhaust pipe, well, there would be an unbelievable amount of smoke.

My old 83 (mothballed now) had a broke ring which I did not know. It was blowing (leaking) a bit of oil... about one quart per 1500 miles (more or less). Well, believe it or not, we headed out for Alaska (1997, rushed planning trip on the spur of the moment). I figured I'd just have to keep dumping in oil up and back. LOL, that did not work out too well. The ring apparently broke in several pieces and I was literally dumping in quart after quart as it was blowing oil anywhere possible, but no oil out the exhaust pipe or smoking. Ended up pulling the engine in Delta Junction, Alaska to do the repairs. (that's the very short version of the story)

So, again, I seriously doubt the oil is coming out the exhaust.

Oil pressure is putting it out somewhere .. up to you to find the location!
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[4Gears4Tires]

[DuncanS]

Try it with a half quart oil low on the dip stick and see what happens.

[Wildthings]

Note that if you have a '86 and later bus with a 2.1L engine you will have two oil pressure switches. I have seen the switches only leak after driving long distances and highway speeds.

[69tr6r]

[Crankey]

Stupid question...
Anyone have a 2wd moustache bar loose outside the van ?
Can someone.measure how wide it is center to center of the mounting holes to the frame rails ?
Or,.outside to outside of the feet that mount to the rails ?

Also wondering about the arrows, do they point to the front of the vehicle ? I assume they do but ...it's dumb question time.
Thanks !!

[jb20thae]

Cigarette lighter:

I'd like to replace our shallow/loose oem lighter socket in the dash with the following. Would this be a direct plug/play or is there a 4th wire needed for the amber ring (see pics)?:

https://www.amazon.com/YANGCAN-Cigarette-Lighter-Assembly-Passat/dp/B014EPO2XC/