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dabaron
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 2561
Location: Philly, mang
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 Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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i'm i too late to say "don't buy one" 
don't be afraid to break stuff or make it your own. but know that making it your own might not translate to being able to sell it when the time comes.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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Boh Jacksun
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2014
Posts: 4
Location: Tucson Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| Thank you for the wisdom |
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deadaheadub
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2004
Posts: 787
Location: New Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:08 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
Having a stick to keep the sliders from being opened is good policy as well. My kids used to race to our '91 to see who could get the sliders open the fastest, typically took about a 1/2 second or so. The correct hit against the glass with the palm of ones hands and it was open enough to reach inside and unlock the front door. |
How strange. I just thought up doing this myself (dowels in the slider tracks) while laying in bed last night.
_________________
Grateful daily,
Ryan
______________________________________
Past loves: '65 Bug, '70 Westy poptop, '64 Squareback project, '76 Westy tintop "Loose Lucy", '76 Westy tintop "Sharee"
Current:'84 Westy poptop "Ramblin' Rose- Rosie" w/ 2003 Subaru EJ25 conversion |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:46 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
I can now say that my Wife is 100% behind this Van!
Dave |
That could mean you are either dragging her down the road or about to back over her. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 7:08 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| big swifty wrote: |
| bobbyblack wrote: |
| big swifty wrote: |
| If your wife doesn't condone your obsession, don't tell her how much things for it cost. |
I beg to differ; if you presently are not married, don't marry a mate who can't understand that the Vanagon comes first.
If you are married, consider a trade in for one that does. |
I'm lucky. She doesn't ask and I don't have to tell  |
Funny, I always felt my Wife was "humoring" me by climbing in and taking multiple cross Country trips in my 86.
It was about a year or so after my Brother drove the 86 away down our driveway the she brought up that she misses the Van and doesn't understand why I got rid of it!
When this 90 from Steve popped up I expressed hesitation, these are cheap to fix and run, our finances have changed radically in the past few years........ she all but smacked me beside the head and said "Go get it!"
You would think after 50 years together we would communicate better?
I can now say that my Wife is 100% behind this Van!
Dave
_________________
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 |
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914guy
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2008
Posts: 167
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 6:44 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| My wife has a vanagon but I don't. So, I don't need to get her permission. But, I am the mechanic. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
Do not assume your 30 yr. old Vanagon is safe just because you locked it.
Try a different key in the lock to see if it opens...it probably will.
The keylocks are worn out. |
Having a stick to keep the sliders from being opened is good policy as well. My kids used to race to our '91 to see who could get the sliders open the fastest, typically took about a 1/2 second or so. The correct hit against the glass with the palm of ones hands and it was open enough to reach inside and unlock the front door. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| fxr wrote: |
When disconnecting the battery, DO NOT disconnect the positive terminal FIRST!
Conversely, when reconnecting, DO connect the positive terminal LAST!
This could keep you out of ER... |
Try this again please
How about: Negative, first off and last on.
Unless you are changing out the battery you usually don't have to deal with the positive at all. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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Do not assume your 30 yr. old Vanagon is safe just because you locked it.
Try a different key in the lock to see if it opens...it probably will.
The keylocks are worn out.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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MODERATOR EDIT: HOOK UP NEGATIVE TERMINAL LAST...... ALWAYS!
When disconnecting the battery, DO NOT disconnect the positive terminal FIRST!
Conversely, when reconnecting, DO connect the positive terminal LAST!
This could keep you out of ER...
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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82westyrabbit
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2015
Posts: 969
Location: Ma
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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I own a small airplane it makes the van look cheap. I don’t keep a spreadsheet on either. My wife pays the bills. She knows what they cost  Like my wife they must treated with love or they get vary expensive. I do all my own work on both vehicles. Otherwise I could not afford them. Sometimes I loan out the airplane. But I am the only one that drives van. John. |
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Corwyn 
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2238
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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DON'T buy a Vanagon (unless you root for the underdog, want a challenge and personal relationship with a needy vehicle that demands constant attention, lightens your wallet, challenges your patience and shares with you some amazing and rewarding experiences and relationship based on constant adventure, that you can't get with a SPRINTER)! 
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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big swifty
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2007
Posts: 246
Location: Formally in Republic of VT; now in Hollywood, FL
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| bobbyblack wrote: |
| big swifty wrote: |
| If your wife doesn't condone your obsession, don't tell her how much things for it cost. |
I beg to differ; if you presently are not married, don't marry a mate who can't understand that the Vanagon comes first.
If you are married, consider a trade in for one that does. |
I'm lucky. She doesn't ask and I don't have to tell
_________________
Evan
1987 Vanagon Syncro // Westfalia pop-top graft // Factory new ALH. 11mm IP. AFN 110 RC 2,3,4 // S7 turbo// Titan P502's
2013 Golf 4d TDI. No mods. Yet.
[1991 Jetta coupe TD. Giles Superpump. Custom tall 5 speed. SOLD |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3054
Location: MD
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:41 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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Oof, thanks for the heads up.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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Escorial Syncro
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2004
Posts: 437
Location: Manitou Springs, CO
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:39 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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Don't (ever) try to compression-start a syncro in reverse. Might apply to 2wd vanagons as well, I just know I've seen syncro gear boxes with the side blown out from trying it.
_________________
Joel Lane
1985 Vanagon converted to syncro, ALH TDI, Reimo Primus top with Westy interior
2002 Toyota Tundra 4x4
1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler (for sale!)
Last edited by Escorial Syncro on Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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stuzbot
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2018
Posts: 377
Location: Pining for the Puddles of Yesterday
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| Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:59 am Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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Don't believe anything the previous owner told you about work that has supposedly been done on the van
[unless the previous owner admits to having employed a chimpanzee armed with a broken spanner]
_________________
*****************************
Click to view image
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1992 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1993 VW LT35 2,4D [SOLD]
1992 VW T3 1,6TD Syncro [SOLD]
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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a2wolfsburggli
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2018
Posts: 279
Location: WI
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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Don't ask about oil brand or viscosity.
Don't ask what brand, style or size of tire you should run.
_________________
Current: '87 Westfalia | '16 Audi Q5 3.0T S-Line w/sport package.
Past: '09 CC 3.6L 4motion "R36 wannabe" | '02 Audi TT "ALMS Edition" | '84 Jetta GLI with Autotech Supercharger | '89 Helios Jetta GLI 16v's (x2) | '95.5 URS6 | and the list goes on.
Never underestimate the entertainment value of OCD overruling Common Sense |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3582
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| bobbyblack wrote: |
| big swifty wrote: |
| If your wife doesn't condone your obsession, don't tell her how much things for it cost. |
I beg to differ; if you presently are not married, don't marry a mate who can't understand that the Vanagon comes first.
If you are married, consider a trade in for one that does. |
BOOM...... 
_________________
'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: Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: What are the biggest DON'T DO THIS for a Vanagon? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| Abscate wrote: |
The gas station stirred up tank story is now a myth in North America.
Underground tank regulations stopped water infusion and a fuel filter handles the rest
Rest of world varies of course.I’ve strained gas through cheesecloth in some obscure parts of the world |
First hand experience says otherwise, sorry.
It may indeed be a "rule" but like many things in life, practical application falls short.
Dave
I've gotten water recently.
Dave |
DITTO on junk making it into the vehicle gas tank, you would NOT BELIEVE the things I've seen floating around in gas tanks that were pumped in from local stations. I think the filters don't always make it into some stations equipment if they cost money and the State Inspectors are too spread out to inspect the stations like they did years ago. It's the only way I could explain the size and diameter of what junk we find in tanks sometimes.
You'd think the pump nozzle alone would get clogged just trying to pass the stuff down into a vehicle..... 
Also, a few years back, BP and Costco around here got into a battle of words/money etc on who was responsible for cleaning the storage tanks that Costco was leasing from BP. I had a BP engineer personally warn me not to buy gas at the local Costco's until a certain build up was removed or at least lessened that was in the tanks, since it was bound to find its way into the pumps at all the Costcos that were pulling their gas from the leased Storage Tanks.
Weird but true Abscate... he described the build up as a corrosive along the lines of salt, but not salt,,, I still don't know exactly what the build up or chemical/impurity was, but there you have it. I would like to know more about it, but haven't seen the guy in a good few years.... 
Two big companies bickering about gas storage tank maint. and the associated costs..... 
_________________
'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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