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Date:         Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:07:20 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon woes!
In-Reply-To:  <4AEE5CA7.1010803@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Doug, one more thing....

The smell of coolant INSIDE the van usually indicates a problem with either the front (under the dash) hearter core, or the rear (under the rear seat) heater core. In the case of the rear heater - it may not be the core at all but instead the a leak of the seal at the Summer/winter valve on the side of the heater.

Lift the seat up and feel around on the the floor beside the heater. If it is damp and discolored - t hat's where your leak is. If y ou rear heater cover has already been altered, then it is easy to remove the cover to get at the valve to replace the seal. If not - then there is going to be a bit of work ahead to alter the heater cover.Take a look and let us know.

Finally - if your rear heater area is dry - then your problem my be the front core under the dash - and that is a whole different set of problems.

John Rodgers Clayartist and Moldmaker 88'GL VW Bus Driver Chelsea, AL Http://www.moldhaus.com

John Rodgers wrote: > 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 >> >> >> > >


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