This is brilliant. What would be very useful to us amateur mechanics new to Vanagons would be to turn it into a FAQ. Then, in the case where the solution to the problem is not self-evident ("replace light bulb"), a quickie description of a procedure and list o' parts. I would be happy to volunteer my time to create the web page, but would need others to provide the text. I can maintain it, too. Volunteers with photos, links to parts suppliers w/ part numbers, knock-knock jokes, etc.? Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 71 VW Type 2 / 84 Westy: A poor but proud race. KG6RCR
Eric Zeno wrote: > I have compiled a list of unusually COMMON problems > that have shown up in our beloved Vanagons. > I'm not including regular maintenance items > like brakes, or light bulbs after 100,000 miles. > These are problems I have seen in a lot of Vanagons > that are regular premature problem. I am looking > for suggestions to add to this list. Here is what I > have so far: 2-25-2002 > > > Common Vanagon Problems------ > 1 - Water Leaks: front windshield, side seals, side windows > 2 - Head Gaskets: need I say more > 3 - Water pump: every 50,000 miles > 4 - Rear hatch struts: hatch falls > 5 - Rear heater: core leaks > 6 - Engine idle controls: throtle switch out of adjustment, idle stab > controller unit > fails, idle stab valve gets gummed up. > 7 - fuel leaks: cigar tube, clamps rust, hose brittle > Plastic fuel fitting on firewall fails > Fuel tank vent system leaks > 8 - Front heater: blow motor seizes,blows fuse, burns switch > 9 - Front heater duct/control: internal flap seals deteriorate, air leaks > 10 - head light ground wire: wire to small, low voltage, head lights dim > 11 - Electrical connections: crimp connectors get hot/melt, several bad > grounds > 12 - Power door locks: esp. driver's door, wiring harness breaking, out > of adjustment > 13 - Ignition switch: gets intermittent, hot when high beam are on. > 14 - Headlight switch: Melts, quits > 15 - Inside sliding door handle: not strong enough internally, socket > splits > 16 - cooling system parts leak: plastic components, distributor on fire > wall, expansion > tank cracks, pressure cap. leaks, hose clamps loose > 17 - body rust: Seams rust, Cavity in front of tail lights > 18 - Clutch pedal linkage: clevis pin wear, play in pedel > 19 - Power steering: rack leaks fluid. > 20 - Engine performace problem: ECU, wiring to (or) temp. sensor, O2 > sensor, > constant speed shutter, AFM wearout (bucking). > 21 - Non-power side mirrors: mirror will not stay in place, rust in > socket > 22 - Clutch: chatter > 23 - Early slide windows -- glued bearing pieces fall out > > Syncro------ > 1 - Drive shaft: vibration/balance problem > 2 - Transaxle: creeper gear trying to escape, blows hold in case > 3 - Transaxle: Synchronizers 3th and 4th break, can not shift > 4 - Viscous Coupling: locks up or completely free, hard to detect > 5 - fuel sending unit: rusts out, wire breaks off, gauge dead > > Camper------ > > 1 - Fridge: Pilot light blowing out while driving > > Cory Sammons wrote: > >> I will search the archives as well so don't repeat any long threads. >> Looking at buying a 87 syncro westy for sale in the NE >> Anything in particular I should worry about? >> Known problems / recurring problems etc. >> Thinking of upgrading from my 84 >> Anyone want the 84? >> Thanks >> >> Cory Sammons >> 84 Westy >> 99 New Beetle >> Gardiner, NY >> >> >> >> > |
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