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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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 Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 7:47 pm Post subject: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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The original foam has fairly fallen apart on the engine side of the access flap.
What has everyone been replacing it with?
I just found that Bus Depot offers the seal, but it may not yet be in stock.
Gonna try my luck tomorrow
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto
Last edited by jlrftype7 on Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| Unless you have an aircooled, it doesn't do much except maybe keep the lid from beating against the body and making noise. |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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Both our '84s had/have oil-soaked panels backing the entire plate panel, is that what you mean? Not "seals" so much as crud sponges, if reading you right.
I'd love to replace ours. It's way too nasty to wax around. 
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7473
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2019 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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I don't ever recall seeing a seal on the license plate flap or hearing them rattle. But my experience is limited to two vans.
Good luck.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2323
Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:43 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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There was never a seal, just glued foam.
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| Gnarlodious wrote: |
| There was never a seal, just glued foam. |
yes, this is the 'seal' I was referring to. It's on order from Bus Depot, we'll see if it's in stock yet once they get back to me.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| Unless you have an aircooled, it doesn't do much except maybe keep the lid from beating against the body and making noise. |
Exactly, the reasons I want a new one. They're only $14, and easy to install since it's glue-on foam.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:53 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| E1 wrote: |
Both our '84s had/have oil-soaked panels backing the entire plate panel, is that what you mean? Not "seals" so much as crud sponges, if reading you right.
I'd love to replace ours. It's way too nasty to wax around. |
Bus Depot shows them for $14, so I'm ordering one if it's actually back in stock. The web page for that part stated back in stock Late May, so maybe they're actually back in stock at this point....... 
Now that most of my Mechanical stuff is done, I can start to address Rattles and odds and ends on the Vanagon.
My wife wants another Grab Handle in a different location after taking her first ride in the Vanagon yesterday, so now there's a Honey-Do list starting from her perspective of things with the Van...
Pads are not yet in stock, along with some other items I ordered, so the wait begins for all those items. Meanwhile, off to track down more rattles... 
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto
Last edited by jlrftype7 on Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
| Unless you have an aircooled, it doesn't do much except maybe keep the lid from beating against the body and making noise. |
Exactly, the reasons I want a new one. They're only $14, and easy to install since it's glue-on foam. |
The foam was eliminated on later watercooled Vanagons. Don't know if some kind of snubbers took its place and can't check my later Vanagon at present.
You could probably just use some foam weather stripping from the hardware store if you clean the area well. You just need a strip around the edges where it contacts the body. You might be able to just put a piece across the top, this would be cleaner and neater than the big oil sponge the stock foam turns into. |
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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Whatever one uses, it should be a closed-cell foam, unlike the original, so that it does not absorb oil and other engine fluids.
I used a 3/16" thick sheet of foam used for canoe/kayak outfitting, but any similar closed-cell foam will do: exercise flooring, yoga mat, sleeping pad, etc..
1/4" to 3/8" thick may offer a better seal, and the closed-cell weatherstripping is a good suggestion.
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:02 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
Whatever one uses, it should be a closed-cell foam, unlike the original, so that it does not absorb oil and other engine fluids.
I used a 3/16" thick sheet of foam used for canoe/kayak outfitting, but any similar closed-cell foam will do: exercise flooring, yoga mat, sleeping pad, etc..
1/4" to 3/8" thick may offer a better seal, and the closed-cell weatherstripping is a good suggestion. |
Thanks for the suggestions. 
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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Thanks, JLR.
Darn it, I'd wanted to match the thick foam to start a campfire someday after "seasoning." 
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
| Unless you have an aircooled, it doesn't do much except maybe keep the lid from beating against the body and making noise. |
Exactly, the reasons I want a new one. They're only $14, and easy to install since it's glue-on foam. |
The seal is for the air-cooled. The water cooled had two rubber feet on the body of the van. If all is as it should be the door clips solidly so it pushes against those feet and cannot move/rattle. |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
| Unless you have an aircooled, it doesn't do much except maybe keep the lid from beating against the body and making noise. |
Exactly, the reasons I want a new one. They're only $14, and easy to install since it's glue-on foam. |
The seal is for the air-cooled. The water cooled had two rubber feet on the body of the van. If all is as it should be the door clips solidly so it pushes against those feet and cannot move/rattle. |
I have the foam pad and no feet on the Vanagon[ maybe it's a later thing[ my prod. is 10/83]. Or, more to the point, I have what's LEFT of the Foam pad and will replace it....
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9937
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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Yes, early vans only. Later vans have an important sticker on the inside of that door so foam would be no go. I think starting in 85?
Mark |
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?Waldo?
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| My '84, '85, and '91 have the feet. My '83 (diesel) has neither seal nor feet. |
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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My current 83 diesel came with no rubber feet, but a section of deteriorated, oil-soaked foam. 1983 was a busy transition year for the Vanagon, with three different available engines, so I'm not surprised to see some crossover of features.
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6565
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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Thanks as always, Jeffrey.
| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| My '84, '85, and '91 have the feet. My '83 (diesel) has neither seal nor feet. |
Huh, maybe my '84 and JLR's were the only ones made this way. Make that three, counting my prior '84.
Our resale just skyrocketed. Gotta see the sun through the black cloud.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| My '84, '85, and '91 have the feet. My '83 (diesel) has neither seal nor feet. |
I’m curious now, can you post a picture of the feet?
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
|
| Back to top |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Foam Seal on inside of the License/Service Lid |
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| Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
Whatever one uses, it should be a closed-cell foam, unlike the original, so that it does not absorb oil and other engine fluids.
I used a 3/16" thick sheet of foam used for canoe/kayak outfitting, but any similar closed-cell foam will do: exercise flooring, yoga mat, sleeping pad, etc..
1/4" to 3/8" thick may offer a better seal, and the closed-cell weatherstripping is a good suggestion. |
. How does your flap open so much further than mine( at least it looks like that from your picture...  )
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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