Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2013 20:57:12 -0600
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: More questions pertaining to my 88 model Bluestar project
In-Reply-To: <16A9A00C-D452-4740-A623-6FE9BE12CCAE@aol.com>
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Steve,
If there is no other anti-freeze in it now, I'd use the Prestone Dexcool
long life. Unless you know that your water is very soft, distilled water
is a good thing.
When adding coolant to a system that contains an unknown anti-freeze I
use the Prestone "mixes with everything" type.
If I have to open up a system that has fresh coolant in it, I catch as
much as I can, filter out the dirt and pour it back in.
You might have to shop for parts on-line.
Good luck ,
Larry A.
On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 8:10 PM, Steve Cotsford <cotsford@aol.com> wrote:
> I have just run the 2.1 engine for just a few seconds at a time as I don't
> yet have the antifreeze in it. My questions are as follows: I know
> antifreeze is a tricky subject in these vans. Can I ask what common brand
> antifreeze I can use in this van. I live in an area where I have
> Autozone, O'Reilly, Napa and Walmart. The closest VW dealer is more
> than 1 1/2 hours drive away. My instinct is to use Prestone long life
> from Walmart mixed with my top of the mountain well water. Other than its
> 25 years old and the engine is perhaps 3 years more, I dont really know
> what I've got. By the time I have fixed leaks, probably replaced the water
> pump etc I will have to replace the antifreeze again. Any tips?
>
> My noises are basically coming from the exhaust system. I got second
> hand parts off a syncro I think. I had to drive almost 3 hours to Raleigh
> to get these fairly expensive parts as I could find them no where else..
> Vanagons don't seem to be easy to find parts for and there are none in
> this area that i know of.
> The muffler shroud is about 2 inches longer than it should be. I drilled
> new holes in it when I installed it and now I need to cut off the excess
> length that is hanging down below the crankcase. The tail pipe rattles
> against the body work close to it so its probably not the right one either.
> I plan on rotating or adapting it until it clears stuff around it. The
> threaded port on the exhaust pipe is missing its cap and I am probably
> going to plug it with something, maybe weld it shut or drill and tap it and
> use a bolt and washer. I also got cooling system parts, which I found
> on The Samba but these all seem to fit correctly. I am trying to use
> original VW parts as much as possible but I am not well up on changes over
> the years. Are there any other pitfalls I am going to run into :-) ??
> Does anyone know Vanagon parts sources and gurus, here in the southeast?
>
> This has been a wonderfully helpful group and I thank you all in advance!!
> Steve
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