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Date:         Fri, 6 Jul 2007 07:24:55 -0600
Reply-To:     David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Advice on 82' GL
Comments: To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <c803c1a70707052135y31303671uf667e09b15c8edaf@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Well, I am no expert really on the Air Cooled models, but I do have one that sat for a while before I bought it. However, of course, if this statement is riddled with errors, I'm sure someone with more knowledge on the list can correct them.

That said, as I am rebuilding my Air Cooled after a major engine fire, let me tell you to very, very, very carefully inspect the fuel lines from one end of the fuel tank through the loop and back to the other fuel tank connection. Fire bad! If you even remotely think the fuel lines are weak or worn, replace them. Other than that, these are pretty simple engines. Oil is the most critical factor, as there is no coolant. Change the oil and filter, and maybe pull the little oil screen out to make sure there it not a toxic amount of sludge built up in the block. Check the V-belt. Check the underside rubber (mine is about half shredded, so I will be replacing a lot of boots there). After you drive it, check how how the engine temp is. John Muir says pull the dip-stick tube and if it is too hot to handle (or at least too hot to hold passing it back and forth between hands, or something like that (anyone remember the wording?)) then the engine may be in trouble. Heat is the biggie for air-cooled engines.

Also, just FWIW, about 3 weeks after I got my '80 Westy, the passenger side head plotzed on me. I don't know if that had a lot to do with sitting, or just bad timing for me. But the mechanic I had do the job told me the heads on these were definitely iffy for a while.

Good luck.

David. '80 Westy (Blue Midget) under major repair (still).

On Jul 5, 2007, at 10:35 PM, Jeff Lincoln wrote:

> I met someone today at Discount Tire who saw my bus and said he had > one he > wanted to sell. It is an 82' and from the pictures he sent seems to > be in > great shape inside and out. Air conditioned automatic. > > The only problem I have is that it sat for a while - I don't > remember how > long but at least a couple fo years. It does run. I am not familiar > at all > with air cooled engines. So what are some things to be careful of > with an > air cooled that has sat for a while? Things to consider? I am hopng my > friend will buy it but I also want him to be prepared. Sorry i > don't have > more info but that's it for now. > > I will hopefully be seeing it in person tomorrow. If it looks as > good in > person as it does in pictures (and is in good mechanical shape) it > could be > a real steal. > > Thanks ahead of time for any tips or advice and I'll let you know > how things > go. > > -- > Thanks, > > Jeff > 90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful. Now sporting a very unstylish > brown > interior taken from the parts bus) > 86' (We call this one Parts) > 85' GL (Sidelined and feeling neglected) >


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