Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 23:30:31 -0600
Reply-To: Stephen Edwards <welfarewrkr@IGC.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Edwards <welfarewrkr@IGC.ORG>
Subject: Re: Vanagon woes!
In-Reply-To: <200911020004.1n4P632fX3Nl3oX0@new.mail.atl.earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Hi Doug,
I agree with John 100%.
Vanagons are amazing vehicles. There's nothing else quite like 'em,
and those of us that love 'em do indeed stick together exactly as
John says. I am a lousy mechanic but I've done a lot with the aid of
this list.
Some Vanagonuts have given up on the original VW engines and
installed engines from other manufacturers instead - notably Subarus
(try http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/subaruvanagon/ or for a
more pictorial introduction, http://www.subaruvanagon.com/ ) and the
Ford Zetec (see http://www.bostig.com/ ).
But in the meantime John's advice should be followed.
One point: you said there was a smell of coolant while driving: if
you're smelling it in the cab, it may be related to the front heater.
I've replaced my heater core, it was a PIA but as I say, I'm a
terrible mechanic and I got it done. As long as coolant is topped up
(not just the filler you can see through the license plate hole, but
the plastic expansion tank that is under the engine cover) this may
be something you can live with for a while.
The vans made in and after 1986 are generally considered an
improvement over the previous models.
Good luck with it,
Steve Edwards
91 GL with Subaru 2.2 in the trunk and 204,000 miles on the odometer.
On Nov 1, 2009, at 11:00 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
> There is one message totalling 80 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Vanagon woes!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 22:14:31 -0600
> From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> Subject: Re: Vanagon woes!
>
> Doug, Welcome Aboard!!
>
> WE have a good crowd, and you are in luck - we have some good
> Vanagoneers in OK. I know they will respond.
>
> Sounds like you have a few issues, but let me address a couple - the
> tapping sound, and fuel system fires.
>
> All vanagons with the 2.1L WBX engine - which you probably have - all
> have hydraulic lifters and they periodically will leak down. They
> do it
> in a random order for no apparent reason. Not to worry - just drive
> it a
> few miles at speed and it will usually go away. One caveat - if your
> engine is old- lots of miles - you could have a worn lifter, in which
> case it's another story. At the first opportunity, change the oil to
> 15W50 Mobil One or other 15W50 high grade oil. This is important on
> these engines. Also, change the filter to a Mann or a Mahle Oil
> filter.
> These two seem to be the only filters that have an internal oil
> pressure
> relief spring strong enough to hold the oil in the oil galleries when
> the engine is shut down. This little feature is what prevents the
> lifters from going flat when the engine is sitting and not being run.
>
> The other item of VERY SERIOUS note is the propensity for Vanagons to
> burn. A burning Vanagon is a horrible site to behold, especially when
> it's yours. Without delay - like don't even run it tomorrow - until
> you
> change the fuel hoses on our favorite little beastie. It is relatively
> easy to do, but you want to change out all fuel hoses in the engine
> compartment pronto. Including the hoses on the fuel rail and the fuel
> injectors. Go to www.vanagon.com and you will find a list of parts
> vendors that cater to Vanagon owners. They are a good bunch of guys
> and
> are always willing to provide advice and guidance to most any problem.
> This is one of the great things about owning a Vanagon. There's not
> another group out there like them or us. We have a unique
> relationship.
> Whomever you talk to amongst the vendors, be sure to ask for their
> complete fuel injection hose kit. That should get you the right high
> pressure hose for the job plus the clamps and the short hoses for the
> injectors. To do the job, you will need at least a pair of pliers, a
> common and Phillips screwdriver, and a small socket wrench set and an
> Xacto knife with two or three blades. The kits I have bought have the
> instructions and graphics for doing the job. The kits will come with
> injector seals. Replace all - do not shortcut. Cost is around
> $60-65 the
> last time I looked. Don't put this off. Better put something else off.
>
> Some of the other folk will chime in her for sure.
>
> Good luck.
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>
> Douglas and Annie Dodson-Mäuck wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I'm a first time owner of an '87 Vanagon GL and don't have any
>> experience with VWs. I purchased it back in July from an
>> individual through Craigslist, drove it for a couple of months and
>> started having trouble with it. The issues I'm having include oil
>> leaks from yet determined origins, a tapping noise, the engine
>> belching white smoke at initial startup and the unmistakable odor
>> of coolant the last time I drove it. The odometer reads over 187
>> K and had the oil leaks upon purchase, everything else is recent.
>> I'm sitting down, have braced myself and think I'm prepared for
>> the prognosis.
>>
>> I reside between Tulsa and Stillwater in Oklahoma and would
>> appreciate advice from any Vanheads in the area who could direct
>> me to a local Vdub mechanic who may be able to help with a diagnosis.
>>
>> Thanks to all,
>> ~ Doug
>>
>>
>>
>> Harm None, Do What You Will
>>
>>
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of vanagon Digest - 1 Nov 2009 (#2009-949)
> **********************************************
