Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:25:52 -0500
Reply-To: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Rebooting a idle 87 vanagon.
In-Reply-To: <AC2D0ED0-89AB-45B6-8487-B44FCAE6E9B2@newclear.us>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
The brakes are vulnerable from sitting. Not just rusty brake rotors but
failed wheel and master cylinders, proportioning valves and even calipers.
If you plan on driving this thing back 6 hours, I would suggest bring along
some wheel cylinders and brake fluid.
I would also check the differential fluid and CV boot condition if you plan
on going for a long drive.
If you have a place to work, repack the front wheel bearings with fresh
grease. They probably won't appreciate a long drive after sitting so long.
Auto transmissions don't like to sit, so bring some trans conditioner like
Trans-X in case she won't shift good.
You can count on anything rubber to fail. Bring extra belts and a rad hose
repair kit and some extra motor oil in case the engine seals leak.
Bring a can of fix-a-flat and a 12V electric air pump.
Don't forget a few wire brushes and sandpaper to clean electrical
connections.
I guess I could go forever...
Let us know how you do.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Kai Mei
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 5:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rebooting a idle 87 vanagon.
Anyone got a fresh perspective on this? Thanks.
I'm buying a van that has been sitting for 5 years... Run only once
every year or so.. long enough to warm up the engine. Every year was
the year he was "gonna do something with the van" but building his
house was taking up all the time. It was covered with a car cover (i
know paint abrades)... Currently it does not leak and all electrics
work except the front blower motor (which worked 5 years ago).
Before being laid up... regular maintenance, Mobil One... coolant
hoses changed, new paint (but not with windows out so theres some
rust near the window seals. This year Rear brake lines were rusted
out... those got replaced.
Currently running. tires are cracked... good thing I have a set in my
brownstone front yard, lol.
My plan is bring my tires. change the oil, do some driving, change
the oil again and auto tranny fluid.
Jump the fuel pump and listen for noise... test fuel pressure. I
think fuel lines were changed,
Can I disable the Idle stab. and just pull a spark plug wire w/o ill
effect to the ignition?
I'm also going to bring my O2 sensor monitor and see if it's bouncing
properly.
Test for brake fade, rusty rotors and burnt tranny fluid and drive
home 6.5 hours at 55mph.
Any other suggestions?
