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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:12 pm Post subject: My 1987 Westfalia Build Experience |
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Hey! So, I've owned vehicles powered by type 1 engines for 30 years. That was all I knew, and everything I liked. When my wife mentioned the idea of purchasing a Vanagon earlier this year I first just shrugged my shoulders. This was really because I was a bit in shock of her proposition, plus I typically research things for years before making a purchase. Well with Covid going on and a green light from the wife, I went into overdrive looking into these mysterious watercooled creatures! After about a month of searching, I decided to purchase a 1987 Westfalia from the west coast.
We purchased it in March, and I was considering driving it back to Minnesota (what an adventure that would be!) But, shipping it was really the best financial decision, plus at this point I knew NOTHING about the WBX. I've documented other builds on Samba, and I've really enjoyed the ability to reminisce years later. Is it morbid to think these posts might be comforting for me if I wind up with dementia later in life?!
So, my plan with this van. My wife and I have two young boys, 4 & 6. Our 1970 Westfalia is a little tight for camping in. The van is not only bigger, more options, but it's also relatively faster. The van is in pretty good shape mechanically. We will use it this year as-is, and the 21-22 winter will be the time for me to go through the mechanicals with a fine tooth comb. Now that it is December, I have started the Winter projects, but I'll first add a few posts on what we did with the van this Summer....more to come!!! _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
Last edited by Bradgt74 on Sun Dec 26, 2021 9:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2561 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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welcome to another branch of the VW mania. looks like a solid Westy, look forward to learning more about it. also, you married the right person, on two levels; not only does she not mind the mania, she apparently has it enough to suggest a Vanagon. bravo!
do i see salt residue on the garage floor *cringe* _________________ 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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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:03 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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welcome to the vanagon westfalia the apex of VW in design, form & function.
well aside from some engineering shortcuts
everything VW made let up to this chassis.
and it's been downhill ever since. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4492 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:45 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Change those fuel lines!
The best year, but I'm a bit partial. _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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pnwkayaker Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2008 Posts: 920 Location: Sammamish, WA
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 6:21 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Beautiful van, congratulations!
I second this, if you haven't put new fuel lines, do it ASAP (too many buses lost due to rotten fuel lines).
campism wrote: |
Change those fuel lines!
The best year, but I'm a bit partial. |
_________________ 87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")
Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link) |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1452 Location: IN
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:06 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Welcome aboard...
Because Minneapolis, consider renewing your oil cooler seal, a known WBX fail point in very cold weather.
The search tool is one of the things that makes this list so powerful: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200
Here's my experience with that seal...
Quote: |
Sun Jun 01, 2014 5:52 pm Subject: Syncro back from the dead....
One evening last winter, when we had -17F temps here, my kid couldn't get his hot-rod audi to start so he borrowed my trusty Syncro to go to work.
He was almost there when the oil cooler seal failed catastrophically, quickly dumping all the oil
This failure mode is documented in the Bentley and described here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4304466#4304466
With the wind chills at -20 to -25F, he did the right thing and pushed on to work and shelter (I view the cost of replacement engines as being cheap compared to the cost of replacement ears, noses or fingers), the engine knocking and clattering..
When we recovered the Syncro a few days later, fixed the gasket and refilled it with some old oil, it was still knocking, clattering and barely ran.
A compression check showed 0 psi in cylinder four. Game over... I was so bummed, that had been a really nice stock engine.
It had just enough power to get it into the parking spot next to the house.
I shut it down and walked away until we could find a replacement engine.
A few months later I found a builder engine from a local subie conversion, bought it and started in on it.
But, I also took a closer look at the engine in the Syncro, popped off the valve covers and saw to my amazement that the 2 push-rods on cylinder 4 had come off their rockers.
That explained all the clatter, no power and compression problems.
Once I replaced the bent pushrods and their rockers, the engine was running again, but still not sounding quite right under load.
The other evening I suddenly realized that the old oil that I had put in it was light 5-30 weight, not 20-50.
So yesterday, it got a fresh change of Mobil 1 20-50 and suddenly I had my Syncro back.
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_________________ The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going! |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Thanks for the welcome. I've been catching up on typical go-do maintenance items, but I missed the oil cooler seal discussion, thanks!
A little back story, the van was delivered to my house in March 2021, the coldest week of the year. I didn't even want to run my garage heater due to the cold. I drove the van about a blocks distance into my garage and the brakes felt like they were dragging, the window wipers were stuck on intermittent, and the headlights didn't come on. Wow, I got duped! If I found these problems in a few minutes, what else will I uncover!
I closed the garage door and took a closer look at things. I found that the headlight switch was only getting to the parking lights position, the switch just needed to be snapped back into place. With the wipers, I learned that the lowest position is intermittent, and the second position is off. Later I determined the brake drag was coming from ice buildup after a long snowy journey to the midwest.
I purchased a Bentley manual, and was taken back by the price....it's double what the air cooled manuals cost. Well, when it arrived it was pretty obvious why it costs more, its a thick book! I started my evening reading every night and I started to get overwhelmed. There was so much more to this van versus my bay. Now that I've been working around it all Summer, it's beginning to click.
At this point, it's March/April timeframe. VW season for Minnesota was coming quick. The plan was to look for any obvious mechanical failings, otherwise push mechanical overhauling to the 2021/22 Winter. I don't know how you southern folks do it. I like having the 4+ months of Winter to tackle big projects. If it was warm all the time, I don't know if I'd have the discipline to tear into a vehicle.
So I thought, lets blow the budget on VanCafe bling! Fuel lines? pshh
I wanted a receiver hitch, so I opted for the RMW integrated bumper / hitch. My justification for the front bumper was how nice it was to stand on the bumper to reach the luggage rack.
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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We took out the old fridge to replace with a truck fridge, which has been so nice to have. I use it all the time. I'll throw groceries in there and run around town all afternoon
The rectangle headlights were taking on water and they were super dim, like my Bay Window headlights put these to shame. I did like the SA grills, but didn't feel like shelling out the 2-3k I saw how others retro'd their own, so I decided to give it a go. I used the Uniwerks headlight bezels for the inner highbeams. If you haven't looked through the products Uniwerks offers, you should check them out. Very cool 3-D printed stuff, high quality and reasonable prices.
I went with the LED bulbs which I really like, and yes I added the relay. I know some folks complain about the LED bulbs, but they seemed to work well for me.
My wife decided to come out and enjoy a nice sunny day in the driveway. Anything to improve the look of the weathered window trim.
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Nice purchase! We also have a 1987 Westy. You will really enjoy the improvements over the 1970 Westy!
You're going to really enjoy replacing all the aged engine coolant lines. Yes... you will not ever forget that project, even in the dementia years.
I see you decided the refrigerator needs to get tossed in favor of something like a truckfridge, but I urge you to re-assess this idea. I have found both refrigerators (we also have a 1981 Westy which later caused us to buy the '87) work great on all three modes. But - you should do two upgrades: the Bentley has a small note about re-drilling the air priming pump hole. Do that.
Second: replace the cooling fan with a 4 inch, 12 VDC computer cooling fan. Doing this will greatly improve the refrigerator's ability to shed heat from the condenser coil.
Also: You will see a small vent tube under the fridge at floor level. It should have a small brass plug on a chain. Remove the plug and take compressed air (like 50 psig or more) and blow into that tube for a few seconds. You are blowing out the propane firebox for the fridge. Rust flakes, soot and dust will exit out the chimney and by keeping the firebox clean, it will help make the fridge more dependable on propane mode. Leave the plug off. It helps draft needed air into the firebox.
More on the subject:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9411551#9411551 |
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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 04, 2021 8:28 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Congratulations on the new member of your family.
What hasn't been mentioned yet is the rear heater core leaking. Yours hasn't yet or you would have been lamenting it!
The main problem you woukd have to deal with is overheating the engine. The other problem is the smelly sticky antifreeze leaking into the flooring and being soaked into the wood. You'd wind up removing the interior to get the smell out!
You might want to remove it and get it pressure checked and new hoses installed to stay ahead of it. _________________ 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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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:37 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Regarding the blacked window trim, IMO it is much easier and looks better to pull the window seal trim pieces and push in appropriately sized window screen spline to keep the same pressure in channel of the gasket. You can add a bead of black silicone and wipe it flush to complete the clean visual effect. |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:51 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Bradgt74 wrote: |
My wife decided to come out and enjoy a nice sunny day in the driveway. Anything to improve the look of the weathered window trim.
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I've removed my share of this stuff. Enough to have developed a "technique" for doing it. If you pull is out with pliers, it typically breaks off in 2" to 4" sections. I'd found that it's better to get a tool in behind the trim and push it out. Spray some soapy cleaner on it to provide a little lubrication and then pull up a starter spot with pliers, but not too far or it will break. Then you can get a hook-shaped pick tool in behind the plastic and slide it along. It come out very easily this way, almost like you're unzipping it. I can get a full window's trim out in about 4 pieces since they tend to break near the corners even if you're gentle.
Tool like this example:
My experience has been with southern California vans that have had a lot of hot summers and sun exposure. Your mileage may vary.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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I like the window trim idea, might add that to the list.
Rear heater core, yes I will be replacing it and adding an upgraded valve.
One of the first repairs I made was for the power steering. It was leaking really bad out of a hose by the pump. The back hatch would collect ATF mist like crazy. I replaced the reservoir, both hoses, rack, and bushings. I made sure to flush the system with ATF so the new rack would only have clean fluid going to it.
I booked an appointment with a local shop to have it aligned, and man did that turn out to be a mistake! The tech told be he couldn't get the caster in tolerance on the passenger side and the wheel wasn't straight anymore. I brought it in straight! They "cut me a deal" and charged me half price. I left the shop, as it was a Friday and I had a camping trip planned for Saturday. I made a left hand turn and I heard my right front wheel rub on the fender. WTF? I got home and noticed my wheel was way far forward and my radius rod nut had been tightened ~10 rotations from where it had been. If the tech would have just left the nut where it was, caster would have been fine. He was actually going the wrong way, adding caster by tightening the nut. I decided to adjust the radius rod back to where it originally was, then I proceeded to use a string to re-align the toe. I'm actually really happy with how the alignment turned out. It took a lot of time, but my wheel is straight, the car tracks straight, and I know I have a very slight toe in. _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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As you can see I added a swing away tire carrier. I really like it, but man it was a tricky install. RMW offer a quality kit, I just happened to find some bondo in that back corner, which made install challenging.
Speaking of the body, I knew it was a re-spray without window removal. I thought, well a dry van maybe just had fading paint, etc. I haven't ran a magnet on the body yet, but I know there's bondo there. But, at this point I bought the van to have fun with the family. My kids will nick and scratch the paint, that happens. The van is always garaged, so it won't get too wet, and it won't be driven on salty roads. Once the kids grow up, I can consider fixing the body and applying a proper paint job.
Here are a few pics from camping this summer
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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Here's a really good thread on DIY alignment that is worth reading all the way through: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=375963
It takes a bit more time to do than taking it to a shop, but I know I will get a better alignment doing it myself. |
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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That's a nice link for alignments! I found another one on Samba that gave me some good tips.
The first Sunday of June is the Bug-in car show in MN. It's the biggest VW show in the state, and try making it every year. What do I take to the show, Bus or Van? BOTH My wife doesn't drive stick, so I decided to load the moped into the van and drop the van off the night before. It's an 87 Honda Elite, same year as the van.
Here is my 70 Westfalia next to the van.
Second place for the Vanagon category!
My starter was acting anemic, and finally died as I was leaving the show. Good thing the parking lot was sloped, so I could easily get it started. That night, I ordered a GW high torque starter. _________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1452 Location: IN
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Bradgt74 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2009 Posts: 251 Location: Minneapolis
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Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 10:34 am Post subject: Re: My 1987 Westfalia Experience |
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We were off to see family around 100 miles away. It was a pretty windy day and there were some long gradual grades on the highway. I had to keep the throttle down to keep a safe speed, but I didn't want to push it too much. After about 45 minutes I experienced an instant cutout, then back to normal. It would do this several times at different frequencies. I pulled off the road, thinking I might get stranded at a less convenient spot. Looking over the engine for anything obvious, the only thing I found was a loose connection on the small gauge wire connected to the alternator.
The van ran pretty good the rest of the trip. At the time I didn't know about Vanagon Syndrome, but I have since researched and confirmed that was the cause. I think the AFM was sending wild signals during the heavy loads. I purchased the AFM cable that calms down the signal to the ECU.
I also started sourcing spare components I'd like to have in the van, especially when going on long trips.
I also was fortunate enough to be one of the first 10 to purchase the WBX Emulator from DigiMatrix. This thing is so cool, and will be so helpful when troubleshooting! It pretty much makes this old ECU have OBD II features by being able to live stream ECU data.
_________________ 1970 Westfalia http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379526&highlight=1970+westy
1968 Beetle http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=579992&highlight=
1987 Westfalia https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762500
notchboy wrote: |
You were drinking last night, weren't you |
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