Date: Mon, 15 May 2023 10:03:02 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Trip report
In-Reply-To: <E38A052D-0CA1-4E92-9D47-BCCE0AAD30AF@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Tim,
I think your report is very interesting. Your van is Standard I think. I bet if you were not towing and lighter you could reach 20 MPH.
Mine is automatic and usually in the medium to heavy range due to equipment and passengers and dogs, and more things then I should bring.
Also, mine is a full Westfalia Is yours a hightop?
The other thing I forgot to mention in my earlier trip report.
Though it was a relatively short trip we sighted 4 vanagons. 3 on the road and one in a driveway.
The last one was near to home and the young man had fixed up a tired 88 tin top and refreshed it including the same conversion Tim has.
Young people are adopting our vans and the fun continues.
Eric Caron
> On May 15, 2023, at 9:32 AM, Tim Hille <timothy.hille@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Eric:
>
> Nice trip report, thanks.
>
> I have been monitoring such stats on. H can for a few years, but with nothing to compare with.
>
> I have the 2.0 ABA swap, so not an apple a to apples comparison, but some high level baselines to compare.
>
> Oil temp at highway speed 180 ish.
>
> Coolant temp - dead center on dash gauge
>
> Coolant consumption pint ever 4000 miles
>
> Oil consumption - 1 qt every 3500 miles
>
> And the big one gas mileage - 18.37 MPG over the past 2900 gallons. This includes all kinds of driving including canoe on top and motorcycle or cargo trailer in tow.
>
> I find myself grumbling about the gas mileage, I guess I should not.
>
> Keep up the great van stuff and enjoy every mile and minute
>
> Regards
>
> Tim Hille
>
> Stop Using technology to create an illusion of action.
>
>> On May 15, 2023, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@gerry.vanagon.com> wrote:
>>
>> There are 2 messages totalling 136 lines in this issue.
>>
>> Topics of the day:
>>
>> 1. Westy Roof Bag
>> 2. Small trip report with a VW fix
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Date: Sun, 14 May 2023 19:39:11 -0400
>> From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
>> Subject: Re: Westy Roof Bag
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I=E2=80=99ve changed my approach to the roof rack. I used to =
>> use the GW luggage box. Really a gun box. But found it hearvy and =
>> limiting. I use now and then but instead. I purchased the Rock straps I =
>> think they are called. GW has them. Like wide bungee cords and =
>> strong. I then put items in dry bags and fit them along with other =
>> things under the straps. This way I use the entire space. But more =
>> importantly I can take just the item I want and it is much smaller and =
>> lighter to manipulate.=20
>>
>> Just my experience.=20
>>
>> Eric Caron=20
>>
>>
>>
>>>> On May 13, 2023, at 11:03 PM, Mark McCulley <mark@MARKMCCULLEY.COM> =
>>> wrote:
>>> =20
>>> GoWesty sells a nice waterproof bag for the luggage rack.
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> https://gowesty.com/products/luggage-rack-cargo-bag=EF=BF=BC
>>> Luggage Rack Cargo Bag
>>> gowesty.com
>>> =20
>>> -Mark
>>> =20
>>>> On May 13, 2023, at 5:05 PM, Karl Ploessl <karl.ploessl@GMAIL.COM> =
>> wrote:
>>>> =20
>>>> years ago I recommended a Sherpak Go! 7 Roof Bag as a great fit. =
>> Mine,
>>>> over the last 20 years deteriorated due to UV etc. Anyway. I am =
>> looking for
>>>> a suitable bag now. All I can find are 15+ cu ft bags. Any =
>> suggestions?
>>>> =20
>>>> =20
>>>> Best, Karl.
>>>> =20
>>>> --
>>>> '81 Westy "Jenny"
>>>> (and soon) '91 Westy "Jenny II" Wilmington, DE
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Date: Sun, 14 May 2023 20:10:20 -0400
>> From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
>> Subject: Small trip report with a VW fix
>>
>> Hi Friends,
>>
>> Headed out Friday for a 300 mile round trip to see mom.
>>
>> Trip to mom and back was mostly VT smaller roads but a little time on =
>> highway at the start and end of the trip.
>> Van ran great. Temps for this new engine still at about 400 miles at =
>> that point in brake in.=20
>> Coolant temp about 197, Oil at 200,Transmission at 150,oil =
>> consumption not evident.=20
>> Average speed about 52 with the high of 77. No coolant loss.
>>
>> Oil pressure about 40 at idle and 60 at speed.=20
>> Idle in park about 950 to 1040, In drive about 980 RPM=20
>>
>> Fuel Milage is about 16.7 miles per gallon.
>>
>> On the way home at a country ice cream place, we went to leave and van =
>> would not start.=20
>>
>> No starter sound.=20
>>
>> I check fuel pump, it was working=20
>> I checked chassis battery and cables tight. Voltage about 12.9.=20
>>
>> Now what?=20
>>
>> I slid under the van while calling a friend for his thoughts. I reached =
>> around until I could find the starter and traced the wires. One =
>> connector was hanging. It had a plastic connector. I found the home =
>> for it and replaced. It could be tighter but was not technically loose.=20=
>>
>>
>> I slid out and Heidi hit the starter. What a welcome sound to hear it =
>> start right up!=20
>>
>> My wife was very proud of me! I felt like a real part of the VW bus =
>> community!
>>
>> The rest of the trip went great.
>>
>> The gas mileage is the best I=E2=80=99ve seen on this van sense I =
>> changed from my 1.9 engine. That one got around 17 and on a great day =
>> over 18. So with A 2.3 in brake in I=E2=80=99m happy to get 16.7 on a =
>> 175 mile run on mixed roads.
>> Previous engine with all the same support systems was getting about 13.5 =
>> average on most trips.
>> Interestingly, oil temp is a bit higher now, Old engine 180 this engine =
>> 200.
>>
>> But transmission seems much cooler reading 150 after 2 hours of travel =
>> on days with different temps one at 80 degrees and the other at 60.
>>
>> , I=E2=80=99m very happy with the temps so far.=20
>>
>> I just hope the scan gage is still reading correctly.=20
>>
>> So, fingers crossed our next journey goes well. It will be a longer =
>> trip into Canada for Bus Fusion followed by going to the Thousand =
>> Islands.=20
>>
>> Happy travels to all.
>>
>> Eric Caron=20
>> Traveling with the 85 Auto 2.3=20
>>
>>
>> =20
>>
>> =20
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> End of vanagon Digest - 13 May 2023 to 14 May 2023 (#2023-138)
>> **************************************************************
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