Date:         Mon, 7 Sep 2009 17:59:19 -0700
Reply-To:     aatransaxle <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         aatransaxle <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Minimal vanagon support kit
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=response

I put a Zetec engine in mine..Carry waaay less shtuff....
Now just a small tool bag and a serp belt and a gal of water...
Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy
Zetec in the trunk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 11:29 AM
Subject: Re: Minimal vanagon support kit


> Wow, look at all the stuff some of you guys find necessary to carry to
> make sure your vanagons get you wherever and back!
>
> GoWesty has another idea, of course.  Spend 40 or 50k with them to make
> a vanagon equivalent to new (or better, they claim).
>
> Not difficult vehicles?  Reliable?
>
> Sure, they're old.  And they're difficult.  But, oh well.  So am I.
>
> Dave Mc
>
> Oh, my van is a '91 Vanagon GL Campmobile.
>
> Oh, I guess what I need is a list of all the do-overs that I need to do
> to make sure my vanagon mechanical systems are all sound.  Let's see --
>
> I've got a nearly new rebuilt engine (22k miles.  chassis has 145k
> miles).
> Transmission drained and refilled (manual transmission).
> I've redone all the ignition parts -- plugs, points, rotor, cap, wires.
> New air filter.
> New fuel injection lines (they were part of the engine rebuild).  New
> fuel filter and new fuel lines from tank to filter and filter on.  New
> fuel pump.
> New AFM.
> five New heavy duty tires, Kumho 857s: 195R14C.  More than meet specs
> for weight capacity (load level D, spec is for C), 8 ply rating.  tires
> come with lifetime rotate and balance, including spare.  I'm a nut about
> keeping this up on all my vehicles.  Van drives well with these tires.
> Run these at 53 psi rear, 43 psi front per VW spec.  Tire spec allows up
> to 65 psi, which I will go with if I think I may be carrying the maximum
> weight.
> Brakes inspected, fluid flushed and refilled, and good to go.
> Alignment (but, was unaware that one needs (according to some of you
> guys) to load the vehicle before doing the alignment, do the alignment,
> drive it, do the alignment again).  Wow.  Of course, that's not
> DIFFICULT.  Fortunately, mine drives with the steering wheel dead on
> center, and will track absolutely on a straight, level road, whether
> loaded or not.  Good enough?  It is considered so on most vehicles.
> New cv joints.  New ball joints, upper and lower.  Shocks check as
> excellent (fairly new).  No steering play, no vibration or bounce.
> Wheel bearings good, newly greased.
> New radiator, new radiator temperature switch.  Complete flush.  New
> phosphate free coolant with distilled water (the expensive VW stuff,
> probably not necessary, but ............ ).  New temperature sender.
> Fan motor hot post repaired where broken during radiator replacement.
> New coolant distribution manifold (the one that reportedly fails
> catastrophically.  Mine broke during another repair, so not so
> catastrophic).
> Plan to redo all coolant hoses, and plastic pipe ends, pending new
> funds.
> New water pump (twice, due to failure of first new one).  New
> thermostat.
> New oil pump (not needed, mistake).
> New motor mounts.
> New drive belts.
> Oil pressure monitoring system redone, including new sensors, new wire
> to gauge and instrument cluster.  Idiot light and gauge both working
> properly (gauge reads about 5 lbs lower than actual according to
> independent mechanical check).  BTW, pressure senders set up on a single
> tube (with a T) from the engine case for both high and low pressure,
> eliminating the difficult to access high pressure sender location.
> Senders and tube secured with a bracket to engine case to minimize
> vibration.
> Currently running Valvoline 50W due to extreme summer temps in some
> areas I've been driving.  Will change to multi-vis (15W-50 if I can get
> it, otherwise 20W-50 Castrol) next month or so with cooler weather.  If
> I decide to drive during winter, and can't get the 15W-50, I may go with
> 10W-40, or with 30W.
> Clutch engages and disengages well.  No idea when it was redone, if
> ever.  Evidently not with engine replacement, as paperwork does not
> reflect it.
> New wiper blades and rear hatch struts.
> Very slight leak from oil cooler, will replace o-ring at next oil change
> (not leaking enough to spot under the vehicle, and not enough to require
> adding oil between changes).
> I carry spare fuses and bulbs, and spare drive belts.  Guess I'll get
> some of that "Rescue Tape."
>
> I keep my AAA card and cell phone handy.
>
> What have I missed?
>
> Dave Mc