Official lazy person's stupid question thread

[Wildthings]

[AndyBees]

Wild Things nailed.

9 years ago, I finished the TDI install in my 84 Vanagon ....... from day one, I had starting issues! The issues lasted for almost 18 months.... very long story!

The ground cable connection on the transmission up by the mount, wasn't good. The starter was sucking practically all of the ground. The ECU for the TDI engine wasn't getting the proper ground which resulted in long cranking starts time and again. As I said, very long story chasing practically everything. Anyway, this is how I discovered the problem, with the door open and Van parked, I used a very long battery cable to make a direct battery ground connection to the engine block. Boom, boom, boom, the engine started every time without hesitation!

One last story ....... a friend of mine spent almost $500.00 chasing a no start due to a bad ground on his 90 Carat (his mechanics spent his money). I repaired the butcher job they done on the wiring, cluster, etc. The ground on the left side of the engine bay to the ECU/Fuel Injection wasn't making good contact...... really, no contact! ........ All as a result of installing a new left tail light assembly which is also grounded at that spot.

Grounding completes the circuit ......... check your grounds!
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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.

[jimf909]

[16CVs]

I like that your Mom has a John Deere tractor, does she have a favorite gun as well?

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Chestercopperpot]

Is this AC compressor related? Both red wires running out of the red arrow go to sheathing and back thru the firewall. The blue arrow is a insulated female bullet connector. Just finishing up after h2o replacement.\Thanks

[djkeev]

[elizer]

I was washing the pop top to prepare to apply some penetrol. I noticed in the gap between the hatch and body a bunch of gunk and road debris collecting. As I was scrubbing with a sponge the gasket of goop (on top of the fasteners for the curtains) disintegrated.

What is the amazonable name for the goop they used to form the gasket on the otherside of the fasetener? Is it just RTV gooped up and let to dry?

Happy Thanksgiving!


Edit: Added a picture incase I made zero sense. There looks to be 3 up there that could use fixin

[djkeev]

“Dum Dum” strip caulk
A 3M product available at parts store everywhere
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[elizer]

[bobbyblack]

Yesterday I was faced with a brake wheel cylinder replacement project. I had gotten a metric set of flare wrenches a couple of years ago, but to my amazement, none of the wrench sizes were correct. I checked with my normal set, and an 11mm wrench was the size I was in need of. I used a bit of heat and finesse, and was able to get the hydraulic line to NOT strip off with the normal 11mm wrench. However, today, seeking the 11mm flare at several hardware and farms equipment tool stores, I certainly did NOT find any 11mm flare wrench.

What gives? I used a metric to SAE calculator, and got the closest SAE one, but I just don't get why there is not an 11mm flare in a set, and none to be found on shelves either..

EDIT: found a set on Amazon with an 11 included.. only $50, sheesh
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Abscate]

[elizer]

I tried searching this, but I don't even know what it is called. I tried vanagon rear bumper flap thiny and all the results were mudflaps. Its the plastic or rubbery flaps that attach to the body. It tucks under the top of the fiberglass bumper. I can see where they poke through beneath the back of the tail lights inside the engine bay.

What are these flappy things called? And what purpose do they serve? I just see dirt and leaves stuck between it and the body.

[do.dah]

No idea what that stuff is called, but, I used bottom garage door seal to replace the original stuff. You can get 9' lengths from the big box stores for about $10, and it allows you to run it across the entire back.

[DuncanS]

You are right. I couldn't find any mention of it either. It keeps road crud from getting all over the back tin. If you don't have one a junkie would, but a piece of inner tube might be able to be sandwiched under the lip of the bumper and work too.

Duncan

[kamzcab86]

[elizer]

Ya all I see is crud in between the trim and the body. One apiece appears to have a screw in place of it. Did you fill the holes back in with a rubber plug or anything? Or do they make you go faster ? I'll give the front and back a wash and decide what to do about them.

[Abscate]

Maybe a piece of butyl tape, elizer?
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.ssS!

[ZsZ]

[elizer]

I knew there had to be a purpose. I will leave it in place and try keep it clean since I am reusing the fiberglass bumper. I wonder if


Thanks everyone for the helpful information.

[elizer]