Messages

1

Vanagon concerns / Winterizing Vanagon With No Garage

« on: September 20, 2020, 05:55:49 PM »

1990 Vanagon GL, 2nd owner

For the last 17 years, the van has never been used in Winter.  At the first sign of snow (mid to late November) it was stored in a garage until April or May.  This kept the rust on the exterior and underbody to virtually zero; the exterior is in great shape. 

Or as my mechanic noted the other day, looking at the underside of the van, "it does not look like a New England van, rather more like a California or Florida van."

But now we have moved to a house still in NE, but with no garage and a driveway that is 100 yards from the mouth of a river leading to the ocean.  Again, I will not use the van once the first snow arrives.  It will sit on a driveway covered with pavers, with a 4' fence on one side, and the house on the other side, now exposed to the elements year round.

What would folks recommend I do to minimize the effects of the weather on the van in winter? 

- Should it be parked on a trap to mitigate the effects of ground moisture effecting the underside?

- Should some added level of protection/undercoating be used to deter any rust buildup on the underside?  And if so what?

- What would be the best protection for the exterior body of the van, possible a cover for it over the winter months?  And one that would not nick the paint with constant flapping from the wind?

Any and all feedback will be appreciated. 

Thanks!

2

Vanagon concerns / Odometer mileage gauge not working

« on: December 02, 2016, 10:41:25 AM »

1990 Vanagon GL

The mileage gauge has not worked for years; I'd like to get it fixed. 

Years ago, I resolved another problem where the gear shaft was 'walking' out of the side of the gear box.  I followed a forum fix and put a plastic stop on the side of the gear box to stop it from walking - problem resolved.

Shortly after, I found I had a second problem.  The odometer ONLY records mileage when it is cold outside, and even then for only a short number of miles until the front of the van is warmed up or ?

Cold means below 40 degrees F.  And if the van sits in the sun before driving it, then even at below 40 degrees, the odometer mileage gauge will not work.

It occurred to me the other day that possibly it is not the gears slipping on the gear shaft - what I have thought it was.   It could also be the odometer cable slipping (except when cold) at either the end where it goes through the left front wheel hub, or where the cable inserts into the rear of the odometer gear box.

Anyone have this problem, or a suggestion of how to fix it?

Thanks

3

VW stuff Wanted / Fiamma or Paulchen Bike Rack

« on: May 21, 2015, 03:19:52 PM »

1990 Vanagon.

Looking for a used bike rack in good condition for the rear of the Van to hold 2 bikes.

thanks

4

Vanagon concerns / Transmission Oil Leak Question

« on: May 31, 2012, 03:46:01 PM »

1990 Vanagon GL, ~140,000 miles.

My transmission is leaking oil around the axle flange and possibly other places. On inspection, my mechanic noted that the shift rod boots to the transmission and to the shift linkage also need replacement. I plan to have him use dye to locate the actual leak spot(s).

In preparation for this work, I read various threads on this and other sites. One thread noted “Before attempting to fix any transmission oil leaks MAKE SURE THE ATMOSPHERIC BLEED IS NOT PLUGGED.”  This is the same as the transmission breather.

This is the original transmission, and I do not believe the CV joints have ever been replaced or worked on. What I was thinking was having him clean out the atmospheric bleed, and then put dye in and see if it still leaks.

But is it likely that just cleaning the atmospheric bleed could resolve my transmission leaks?

And how often should the CV joints be repacked?  Should they be dis-assembled and cleaned entirely, or just repack with new grease?

Thanks.

5

Vanagon concerns / Front Window Trim Pulling Off

« on: July 02, 2011, 06:06:15 PM »

Not sure how to describe this, but here goes ...

Where the driver side window winds up, there are 2 pieces of felt that the window goes between when all the way up.  The outer one is the inside part of the molding around the exterior window opening.

This felt has a rubber backing on it and was originally attached to the rest of the exterior rubber perimeter molding.  Now it has come loose and blows around/flaps when the window is down.  

It is only a matter of time until it tears off, and then the window will not fit snugly when up and will rattle.

The trim does not need to be replaced.  I tried gluing this (with something?) a while back, but it did not hold.

What type of adhesive (rubber to rubber?) will work here?

thanks

6

Bus Blog /

« on: September 06, 2009, 06:02:21 PM »

No luck; this email address got bounced back.  

Anyone know if they have a user name on limbobus?  I could try sending them private email.

thanks again

7

Bus Blog / Buses by the Buoy 2009

« on: September 04, 2009, 09:03:13 AM »

The campground is out of space for this event.  I would like to see if I can double up with someone; we do not need any hookups.  

Does anyone know how to contact the hosts for this event - Michael and Sheila King?   I want to ask them about the possibility of doing this.  

The BBTB announcement noted "for more information about the event, contact Michael and Sheila King vacvw.bbtb@roadrunner.com".

But the email address given above for the King's does not work.  

Thanks,

Joe

8

Vanagon concerns /

« on: August 16, 2008, 05:14:27 PM »

No, the Van is not a Syncro.

The sound appears to be more of a scraping.  You can hear the sound when either driving straight (you hear it only slightly) or turning to the right (very noticeable), but not turning to the left.  

If I take my foot off the gas and slow down, I will hear the same sound, and it will get louder.

If I put on the brakes, I will hear the same sound; it will be loud.

To me it sounds like a scraping where as the wheel turns, you hear it, you don't, you hear it, you don't...  As if one part of possibly the brake shoe was touching the drum on every revolution.  Possibly the parking brake not releasing??

Not sure if you would then call this a ticking or thumping sound.

I notice you are in Southern NH.  I live in Merrimack just off the Nashua line.

Any chance of my driving the van over to where you are at so you can hear the sound?

thanks, Joe
------------------------------------------------

Can try to help here. Is the Van a Syncro? Sounds like it could be a CV joint. They seem to be plaguing us lately. Do you hear a ticking or thumping sound when you drive. The brakes are a good possiblity. We had to replace the front spindle, and full brake job on one of ours already so we have been there.

9

Vanagon concerns / Newbie looking for a mentor

« on: August 16, 2008, 11:17:39 AM »

I have a 1990 Vanagon GL that I would like to start working on myself.

My first job is to determine what is causing the constant squeak from the left rear wheel (it seems to go away if I turn to the left). It really sounds bad when I apply the brakes.

While doing this, I also want to install new parking brake cables I purchased.

Is there anyone in the Southern NH (Nashua) area, or close by, who would be interested in being a mentor for me? Tackling a brake job for the first time is not something I want to do without someone looking over my shoulder.

Thanks, Joe