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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 9, 2014 20:45:31 GMT -5
 This van has been sitting for a few years. I've replaced the brake line from the master cylinder all the way to the rear splitter and to each of the front calipers as they wouldn't hold pressure. The exhaust is nearly shot and it dropped most of it's oil on it's last trip. I think (hope) that either the drain plug gasket has flaked away or the oil filter is rusted and leaking. Either way I'm picking up a new battery for it, tomorrow I think, and some oil and a new filter. I really wanted a 17/19 offset box wrench but the local parts store doesn't carry them. Once the oil issue is squared I have to replace the hydraulic arms for the rear hatch and the heater core in the rear as it leaks. There are also a few holes to patch as it was in an accident before I got it. Then, we'll see! The goal is to get it roadworthy and take it to Wisconsin on vacation this year. It also may need those nubs the windshield arms ride on, now that I think of it. And there is a loose arm on one of the seats... |
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 9, 2014 21:51:30 GMT -5
I'm still thinking VW's are air cooled. Is the engine still in back, or is it mid mounted now?
Aren't project cars fun? They turn into money pits in a hurry. At least you're not a drinker. This gives you something to do with your hands. I'd say something else, but this is a family forum.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 9, 2014 22:26:33 GMT -5
This is a water cooled model, they switched in the mid-eighties I think. This is one of the last model years offered and yes, the engine is in the back.
Who says I'm not a drinker?
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 10, 2014 7:41:37 GMT -5
You look so young, who would sell you alcohol?
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 10, 2014 8:08:19 GMT -5
I never get carded, maybe because I was able to grow a full beard in high school. I get annoyed when they do card me - it's an inconvenience and it's never a cute young guy trying to find a slick way to get my home address. Hey, there's a story idea right there....
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 10, 2014 11:47:35 GMT -5
I did it with a credit card. You remember "Under The Rainbow" I did under your Sanitaria Springs saga. This will be nice once you sort things out and start using it.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 10, 2014 21:01:51 GMT -5
We started tonight. We were going to change the oil, so I bought a 17mm and a 19mm as they are very common on VW's. The drain plug was 18mm. Back to the parts store we went - and while there I remembered that the oil filler is located behind the license plate (it folds down on a spring) and I'd need a funnel to get the new oil in. They had this fancy thing that screws onto the jug of oil we bought (it doesn't) so we bought it and, as you can imagine, were unable to fill the crankcase. I'll go back tomorrow for a proper funnel.
We put the new battery in and the old radio with the plasma display popped on. Blaupunkt. Oh, and I found some Bosch Platinums I hadn't installed! Go me! The new filter is on, will put the oil in and change the plugs tomorrow. Have to assess the exhaust and order those hydraulic arms for the rear hatch.
Kid drove me bonkers lol.
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 10, 2014 21:27:02 GMT -5
Throw the kid right into the thick of it. The only way to bring them up.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 11, 2014 21:52:04 GMT -5
Yes, well, he drove me nuts. Was being very squirrely, sent him to take his shower. I swapped the tube thing and got a funnel, ordered the replacement hydraulic arms for the rear hatch. Will replace plugs tomorrow and fill crankcase, give it a start up and see if it leaks. If it holds, then will have to examine the exhaust. I do not relish that. However it had some kind of an oil leak (I know, I know - they don't leak, they just mark their territory) and I hope it's nothing major. It has no push rod tubes (I don't think) which were the culprits before. If it has those, I'll be resealing push rod tubes. Yay.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 12, 2014 20:56:31 GMT -5
It has pushrod tubes. However they appear to not be leaking at the moment as it took the full compliment of oil and started. Tomorrow I need to buy the larger size spark plug socket and put in those Bosch platinum plugs and the matching Bosch wires I'd bought for it quite a while ago. Found the latch/lock I need for the engine hatch - 20 bucks cheapest. Tires will be a big investment, but it will need them and then to track down that exhaust leak.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 15, 2014 17:29:22 GMT -5
One of the plugs was cross threaded, but finally came out. One is corroded in place. I think it was losing pressure through the old plugs because there was oil on the ceramic side of several plugs, and one looked fouled. The last plug is corroded in place, trying to let some penetrant loosen it up.
Four hundred bucks for new tires, priced those out. Put the new hydraulic arms on the back, now the tailgate stays up without fear of hitting the 2x4 and dropping it on your head. Fresh gas with fuel treatment, but I noted one of the air tubes has two pinholes from corrosion. I was also reading that the fuel lines should be changed as some of the older 2.1 Vanagons can burn. Considering it's 22 years old and I've owned it for the last 10 or so, I should probably do that.
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 15, 2014 19:21:19 GMT -5
Sounds like a Quantum trip.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 15, 2014 19:25:47 GMT -5
More like the repair list...
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 16, 2014 21:30:10 GMT -5
After marinating all night, the last plug came out, grudgingly. With the new wires in place the van started and ran pretty well. I think I located the exhaust leak and have begin trying to figure out how to replace the fuel lines. I ordered the Bentley Official VW manual the other day and am just waiting its arrival so I can figure it out. They are rubber hoses and the local parts place said I should measure it and put metal lines in place of it - just take brake line and snip the ends. I'd still have to put rubber ends with clamps, but it might work. I may also see if there are metal aftermarket ones that will 'just bolt on'.
I anticipate moving it onto the road within 8 weeks, to keep the price on the tires. Then I can replace the exhaust and possibly the last two brake lines I didn't do before. If I can do them at home, I will but it will mean I need brake line tools.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 20, 2014 21:41:48 GMT -5
Discovered a leak in the air intake runners. Scraped it with a steel brush and added some JB Weld to close it up. The van is registered and insured - got new wipers all around today. Needs tires, an alignment and inspection (Saturday) and a new air filter. Filter and bath tomorrow, then drop it off so the other work gets done Saturday. I expect it to fail inspection, but I will know what is wrong from that end anyway. Then onto the garage for brake lines, fuel lines, body work...
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