New 84 Westy owner reporting in and saying thanks

[84WestyHobbes]

I mentioned in my first ever thread on the forum on shipping my Westy cross country how I’ve been following the forum for a very long time as I decided on what to look for, what would work for our family, and what level of involvement I was looking into mechanically. I wanted something maybe with a couple more comforts than the older buses, but still simple enough to hopefully be able to tackle a lot of things myself.

When I went out west to test the Westy I went with a lot of possible things to look into, and hoped for the best. Previous owner had been very involved in updates by a local vw mechanic, so it looked like a good idea. My planning trip didn’t work out that well and I had to ship it home to NY.

As I got it home, I had my list based on I’d say roughly 30-40 threads on overheating, and have all spare parts and lists of things to check off.
Finally today I was able to begin. The main problem I had was blinking light, overheating needle.

First thing I did was replace pressure cap, fill to the brim, check coolant sensor. Idled perfectly, took it for a test drive around the block and nearby for about 20 mins, remained at a good temp and no blinking light. Next I will do the top-off while higher rpms, and run it a bit higher and longer to keep testing. Will report back. My kid had a blast watching me change the cap and clean up several things, as well as playing with stuff in the back. I can see us working on it together for years to come. Not to worry, I didn’t run the engine while he was there.

Two things I didn’t notice before that I noticed today for the first time - which blows me away. I’m guessing my excitement over getting the van must have overshadowed me noticing this. there’s a switch on the dash that turns on the radiator fan directly. Good to know!

So here’s a question though - there’s another switch on the dash that says “temp” with an arrow around it. It rotates like a radio dial. It seems to start a mechanical timer when I turn it on (I can hear ticking/clicking in the dash), and it sounds like an electric motor of some sort running when it’s on. Is that like a choke to start in cold weather? Or am I completely off base? I can take photos if needed.

Anyway, thank you all for being so thorough in helping each other, it helps a lot of people who might not chime in at the time or maybe like me ends up reading the threads years later with exactly the same symptoms.

Cheers!

Luke, based in White Plains, NY. 1984 Westy named Hobbes

[leecat]

Nice little van! I think the rotating timer you have (is it green?) is for the optional factory gas heater under the van. I think it's about a 10 minute timer. There's a second fuel pump under the van that sends fuel to the heater via the main fuel line, piped in before the main fuel pump.

[Steve M.]

Is that Calvin playing inside?

Congratulations on the buy.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Wildthings]

Sounds like you have a gasoline heater.

[leecat]

Here is a link to get you started on the heater:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=193991&highlight=ba6

I have a 1984 with the identical BA6 heater, they definitely came with the water cooled as well as some air-cooled models.

[84WestyHobbes]

Yes, that’s exactly what it is. PO mentioned extra heater did not work but she also didn’t know how to run it. This is a Canadian model for sure, it has the third port outside down low.

Also, all fuel lines have been recently changed. I’ve seen the sad burned van threads...

[colbysmith28]

Welcome, I have an 84 westy also, prepare to have to do alot of searching for parts, I'm working on refurbing mine and am finding mine was built during a strange period where parts from early vans and later vans were used. before ordering parts it would be a good idea to confirm part number, just food for thought. enjoy your westy and don't forget to replace fuel lines if you have idea when they were last done.

[Wildthings]

[84WestyHobbes]

Sounds good. How can I check on the hoses to make sure? Is there writing on them? Should I just change them all myself anyway?

[VicVan]

Check the writing on them. What does it say? Best, post a picture.
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Jeffrey Lee]

Congrats on what looks to be a sweet van!

Proceed cautiously with the auxiliary heater. In fact, avoid using it at all until you can methodically inspect, clean, and troubleshoot to ensure safe operation. Once tuned and operational, they can be a nice accessory, but until then, you may be squirting gasoline into an enclosed chamber stuffed with mouse nests, with intermittent spark ignition. Attached to the underside of your beloved new camper. With your family inside.

In fact, since you probably have a long list of more urgent mechanical tasks ahead of you, I suggest disconnecting the fuel supply to the auxiliary heater (there's a tee immediately after the fuel tank outlet) until you have the time to devote to it.

Safe travels!
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[Abscate]

Katstan I still just North off you In Kingston , and has a decent mechanic local to her in case you are looking. Andrew the Van Whisperer is up here near Albany, if you ever want to drop the van and Amtrak’s home I can shuffle you, I’m 15 minutes away.

Pm me to get my coordinates
_________________
.ssS!

[84WestyHobbes]

Jeffery, thank you, sounds like a plan for sure. I’ll check to see, hopefully it’s been already disconnected. The unit itself is under the rear seat, correct?

I’ll take photos of the fuel lines and post.

Abscate, thank you! At the moment I have the Freccia brothers 10 mins away from me over the CT border. They seem like a great resource. But I’ll def reach out if needed for sure.

One more question for those in NY - do you have trouble passing inspection? Anything in particular that they’re sticklers for?

[metropoj]

[84WestyHobbes]

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I will go through it for sure, I could def hear the little motor pumping yesterday when I tested it — hopefully it was already disconnected in the past and wasn’t actually pumping anything.

PO on the heater:

The heater is under the bench seat. It's a factory installed Webasto heater. The mechanic in Missoula told me it could get up and running if I wanted, but I never put the time into it because I don't drive Hobbes in the severe winter months anyway. And I'm not sure what model it is - only that it came with the original van.

And PO on fuel lines:

Fuel lines/filter
Yes - Very important question! Fuel lines were replaced about 2 years ago and I just changed the filter maybe 6 months ago. I'll have V-Dubs check these for sure, as well as the battery, coolant lines, etc.

And her mechanic gave it a full once over before I got it and have it a thumbs up. Yes, also has a strong battery.

[metropoj]

Webasto eh ? Ok, interesting. You can probably forget about most of what I said above, lol.

I was referring to the belly pan factory BA6 style heater that sits between the frame rails under the van. This sounds very interesting ...
_________________
John.
86 TiiCo powered Westy.

[danfromsyr]

re: fuel lines, and replacement.
very often they do not change the 3inch line on the back side of the bulkhead fitting. I've seen MANY vans with original fuel line there that have had fuel lines replaced.
it's often so bad that the original VW hose clamp is rusted through and it's only holding on by old age stubbornness,
so on your pass side firewall there's bulk head fitting, look at the hose behind it. if it's plastic replace/update that as well.

also the early vans had an undersized Alternator harness that often melts within the protective sheathing.. give a close eye inspection to the wires from the Alt to the black box on the DS firewall.
gowesty offers a update kit if you don't want to DIY your own.

congrats and enjoy your new found freedom machine and personal finance wrecker.
a VW camper is like adopting a dog, you can't imagine life without them anymore and you only part with it once you can no longer afford to take care of it. once gone you reminisce of the good old days..
_________________

[Wildthings]

Either 30r9 or 30r14 will work for the heater, while for the fuel injection the hose should say 30r9 somewhere on it. I believe the hose for the heater is the 3/16" size though check the fit before buying.

The VW-Audi 25195948175 fan switch when used with the stock thermostat will cause your fan to kick on more frequently than the stock switch.

[84WestyHobbes]

Fantastic. Thanks all. My list of things to check keeps growing, and it feels so much less daunting with the support and knowledge you all share. I have a trip out of town this weekend and although it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, I won’t lie and admit I’m sad I won’t get to tinker with it for several days.

I’ll report back after I get the chance to spend another couple of hours with it.

Thanks again!

[leecat]

Here is a photo of the underslung factory BA6 on my van, including the small fuel pump (red arrow). If there is an under-seat heater as well, your BA6 is likely still there, just disconnected or inoperative. That is the left rear tire in the photo, for perspective.

EDIT - you know, this is a golden opportunity to ask: Do any of you guys equipped with the gas heater have a different slide-handle on one of your heater controls?? I once read that one of the sliders on the BA6-heater-equipped vans had a metal 'ground connection' attached to it, and that unless this was engaged (all the way to 'hot') that the heater would not function.

Is this a myth? When I got my van, all but one of the slider levers were scattered all over the floor, with the last one missing - so I don't know if the missing one was somehow different. I have never encountered another BA6 van so have been unable to check. My heater is not operational - it's a travelling underslung mouse house - but I have always been curious.

Thanks to anyone who knows!