Date:         Wed, 4 Jul 2001 00:08:53 EDT
Reply-To:     DRodrig420@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Rodriguez <DRodrig420@AOL.COM>
Subject:      New to list...a few questions, and I need some stuff
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

What's up guys?  I just bought myself an '84 Vanagon($200!!!), and have spent
the last week or so bringing it up to snuff as best I can.  When I got it,
both of the water pipes running from front to rear were rusted out and
leaking, so I replaced them, along with the gas tank breather(which was
cracked), and she's up and running perfectly.

Some background on me...I am a VW employee, I work at a dealership in the
parts department.  I have spent the last 4 years of my life dedicated to
repair and modification of VWs(primarily A1 and A2 chassis cars).  This van
is now my 9th VW(I had 2 Volvos, too), and my second van(my first was a '67
Westy).  I currently own 3 VWs, my other two being 16V Jettas.  Prior
experience with Vanagons includes converting an '88 from automatic to stick.

Now, this thing has no A/C, but does have dual heaters.  I disconnected the
rear heater when I did the other cooling system repairs, as the "T"s in the
lines were also rusted.  However, I cannot for the life of me figure out how
to turn off the front heater.  No matter what I do, there's still heat coming
out of somewhere, be it the floor, the defroster, where ever.  I have no
owners manual with this thing, and I can't seem to decypher the alien
pictograms on the control panel.  Some help on this one would be nice...it's
too hot for heat.

Issue 2:  Hard starting and rich running.  Every once in a while, the van
doesn't want to start.  Smells like it's flooding, then after x amount of
attempts, it won't even crank, kinda like it's vapor locking.  I may have
remedied this with the tank breather, but I'm not sure at this point.  Any
common issues with automatics and starting problems?  And what kind of gas
mileage are you guys getting?

Issue 3:  This thing handles like a pig.  I am used to track-worthy Rabbits,
and highly modified A2 Jettas that go around turns hard enough to throw
things around the cabin with deadly force.  I know better than to expect this
thing to do the same, but there's got to be a way to make it better.  Does
anyone make swaybars for these things?  I'd rather not lower it, but I'm sure
that's an option as well.  Bilsteins are an absolute must, and will be coming
soon.  ;-)

OK, now, I need some things for this Van.  For starters, I need a jack and a
toolset.  Anyone know where I can get those second hand?  Also, this thing
needs some different wheels.  The stock 14" steel wheels are not cutting it
for me.  I am a huge fan of steel wheels, especially on a vehicle like this,
and my intentions for it's use.  I'd like to do some 15" steel wheels, and in
fact, I have a set from a '99 Passat.  They are the correct bolt pattern,
however, the hubs on the van are too large for the wheels.  I thought about
grinding them out a bit(there's not too much of a difference), but they'd be
a pain to balance.  So, does anyone have some wheels out there they'd like to
come off of for a reasonable price?

Thanks again, guys.  I'm sure I'll have more for you as I get into this
thing, and I appreciate any help you can give me.

-Dave
'91 Jetta GTX 16V
'88 Jetta GLI 16V
'84 Vanagon



[text/html]