Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:19:30 -0400
Reply-To: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Coolant line complications - early vs. late vanagons.
In-Reply-To: <33a6704a0604242241y768cd27ay7263459464b62f53@mail.gmail.com>
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Ian,
The early vans, 83.5 - 85 w the 1.9l WBX have a pair of steel pipes
about 1 1/2 inches in diameter that encompass most of the run from the
engine to the radiator and back. The later vans, 86 - 91 w 2.1l WBX,
have a set of plastic pipes with a metal sleeve at each end making this run.
The metal pipes tend to rust out over many years. It is getting hard to
find replacement pipes for these but on the other hand, I have an extra
set that is almost new in my garage and I have a relatively new set in
my 85 Weekender. If the pipes are not already loaded with rust, really
if they have little rust, then they are good for a few years, no matter
how many miles you drive. If they were to fail you and you couldn't
find replacements, they can be replaced by marine heater hose. List
archives and my hard drive have rough instructions on how to do this.
Not a complex repair, easier than replacing the steel pipes because they
bend and you can do the job without dropping the gas tank.
I have never heard of any insulating the coolant pipes in foam or
sheathing the already metal pipes in metal. If one was to insulate the
pipes you would have to make sure it was done in a way that was not
going to trap moisture inside the insulation.
A former list member, banned because of unacceptable behavior makes
stainless steel replacements for rather big bucks. The areas on the
steel pipes that rusts out is usually the ends near the engine. This
guy also makes a set of replacements for just the near to engine end.
You must crawl up under both of these vans and any other you are
considering. You need to look at parts like these, look for signs of
leakage, etc.
When the later ones fail, it is because the metal insert in the plastic
pipe comes loose and the pressure from the clamp cracks the pipe.
There are a few fixes for the loose metal insert if it is caught early
enough. When the cracking get pretty bad, the pipe or pipes must be
replaced. Originals are not quite as hard to find, and I have an extra
set. These long pipes can also be replaced with marine heater hose.
To write a comparison of the 1.9l 83.5 - 85's with the 2.ll 86-91's
could take a few days. They are both very viable platforms if they have
been well maintained or if you get a reasonable price on one that needs
some work, but not a new engine or tranny. I have driven about 210k
miles between the two 1.9l powered vans I have owned. If I could fix a
few problems with my 85, I would be willing to set off on the trip you
are planning given the proper tools and a few replacement parts on
board, and, a laptop so I could have access to the hundreds of files I
have saved about Vanagon repair. Of course, I would rather take the
trip in my Syncro with the new conversion.
There were different options packages in each year. As the vans move
toward the later years, nicer options were available. But the key for
you is to compare the two vehicles.
An 89 with a good body and interior, lots of extras but a weak engine or
tranny is not nearly as good a deal for you as a rather basic 84 or 85
with a medium body and interior, fewer options, but with a solid engine
and transmission. 85's are a good year as VW started putting in some
of the changes that would be fully implemented with the change to the
2.1l engine in 86.
The coolant system is one of the systems with which you will have to
become rather educated before setting off for a long trip like this.
Lots of things about it aren't too terrible to fix and maintain. You
just have to know how and have some written material with you. Of
course it is very obvious that this system will have to get a very
thorough inspection and preventive maintenance before you head out.
Sam
--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD
89 Syncro GL, Zetec Inside
85 Westy Weekender
85 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel - to become veggie oil powered
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