Home away from Home, on wheels.

[Big_kid]

That's awesome- Can't wait to see pics of them installed! If I took our popup out once in a while I'd look into a set too, I've heard nothing but great things about them and the company. Granted, it's all been on the portal, but still- if something's not right someone will politely call you on it there.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Soaked the bottom of the engine in simple green today. Really soaked the passenger side heat exchanger, scrubbed it down with a sponge and then sprayed it down with the hose, set on low pressure and a spray pattern; no high pressure wash downs. Then let the bus run a bit to dry off the bottom side, and took it for a 15 minute drive to see if I got the smoking from the heat exchanger. I think, while there still may be a bit of a leak, that ALOT of my smoking was really oil burning off the engine. I noticed a it of burn off still, from the side of the heat exchanger facing inside. So I'll give that a spay and wipe down tomorrow.

[Tom]

So what was the verdict on the engine ?

[Glenn]

So what was the verdict on the engine ?

They all leak a little.

[AoT]

So I'll give that a spay and wipe down tomorrow.

Things don't look as bleak as they did on Thursday, glad there's some improvement!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

So what was the verdict on the engine ?

They all leak a little.

Sounds like it has some life left.

They replaced all the push rod seals, both valve cover gaskets too. They did a compression test after, and (the numbers are on the bill, which is in a folder not near to me at the moment) everything was good. I was very concerned as well, as Tony noticed a firing miss, but it happens a lot when the car is starting from a dead cold. If you give it a little gas, it goes right away (and stays away) though, I probably am due for plugs and wires.

I was worried after the issue we had with the passenger side head, with the case savers and helicoil, then a big oil leak, and a miss... It just seemed to be spelling out the near end.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Tom (or anyone lol)

Where are the fuel lines that I should consider replacing on my bus?

I've not replaced them since I've owned the bus, that's easily 5 years (?) and who knows when they were done before that.

I'd like to get in them ASAP.

A talk through, or photo of them would be awesome!

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Took the bus upstate yesterday with some friends, went apple picking in Warwick. Of course, the bus got covered in dust and direct from driving around the orchards; so of course today started off with a wash.



After, I got around to cleaning out the garage. It had still been packed with leftover materials from when the house was done last year, flooring, plywood, sheetrock, thinset and the lot. I organized some bins that have spare parts to the beetle, and cleaned the floors.





The beetle used to sit behind the left door, where the motor is; while the right side, was occupied by all the junk from the refurb has no motor on the door. Since my plan is to put the bus in the garage each night, it made sense to have the bus's door operated by motor. So I moved the beetle over. The issue is, someone thought it was a good idea to put the button to open the door inside the garage. So after all my cleaning was done I shot to The Home Depot to try and buy a remote for the door, but the opener is too old. Turns out, I had to buy a retrofit kit, which I ordered online and can't wait to install on the door.

LiftMaster Remote Conversion Kit

[dubstar]

"Of course, the bus got covered in dust"

OMG!

you own a bug?

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Lol thanks John

It's really my buddy Ian's bug. He's a bit indecisive as to its fate. He's told me I could just "have it" several times, but I never pursued it.

[AoT]

Peabody must be happy to have a roof over his head for the winter. Baby, its cold outside!!

Trying to work out garaging for my vw's.

[Raj]

Nothing like keeping your air cooled vw out of the elements! This is one way to help it last another 35+ years

[dubstar]

looks like you could fit three VWs in there...

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Lol if I pushed the baja back, and to the middle or side more, I think I just might be able to. But not for a day to day in and out sort of thing. It'd be too tight for that.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Is anyone experienced with replacing the fuel filler neck on a late bay? I'm trying to find out if it is possible to remove the firewall with the engine in place. I'm gathering, that it might not be so simple because there are screws above the trans that go up into the body.

Anyone?

[Tom]

You can remove the "firewall / access panel" with the engine in, the screws you're talking about (if they're still there) are underneath at the corners of the panel. I have not replaced that filler neck but I understand it can be done but you have to be a contortionist.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Well, I called up to German Supply Scott today to order the parts I need to get my fuel lines up to snuff. Apparently the filler neck changed sometime between the model years, though no one knows where. From what it seems, by 77 bus, has an earlier style neck and thus a long, curvy metal filler pipe versus some others which have a bent rubber pipe. That said, I'll call him back in the morning to get the parts on order. Since the computer, air cleaner, pie plate and a few small parts are already out I'll just leave the bus parked O.O.S. for a few days...



Helping the computer to make its way out...



Check this... While I often curse Mr and Mrs Brett and Martha McKillop of Colorado for some of their awkward ways, and I'm certainly no fan of this "rigged" access panel it will help me in my repair...



I've known this hole was there, I wasn't happy about it but its in the past right... Now hat I know what it's for I'm a bit relieved though not ecstatic. That said I will be fashioning a cover for this. I'm envisioning something with 4 screws on the edges so as to avoid hitting the fuel pipe, and something with a rubber gasket to keep any fuel-odor from coming up into the passenger compartment.

[Raj]

Gotta love prior owners!

[Glenn]

Gotta love prior owners!

I wouldn't know

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Stashing this here so I don't lose it...

[ObnoxiousBlue]

I need opinions... So lets hear it.

My new fuel line kit should be here tomorrow.
I'm waiting to do the install, until the filler neck arrives in about another week.
I'll be bypassing the gas heater for now.

I found a guy, "Marty" on TS that restores the Bn4 heaters, like the model I' have.
I know I have all the parts, but mine doesn't run. So I spoke to this guy, who has a few Bn4's for $375 not including the pump or a new switch. I'm trying to discern if this is a good price point and value.
I'm comforted by the fact that the unit has been completely disassembled and put back to "like new" versus my heater that would inevitably be pieced together. And I doubt I could get my unit put back in service at any local VW shops for less. So it seems good to me...

Waiting to hear if Marty would buy back my old "core"

Anyone think $375 is radically out of line to get a restored, working heater?

[Glenn]

I sell Porsche distributors for more and they are not nearly as complicated.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

That's the GR endorsement I needed... Waiting for Marty to return home from a Canada business trip. I think that for the added peace of mind, it's a good idea.

[ObnoxiousBlue]

Brought over from TS. I welcome any input you guys have, but don't recall anyone here being overly well versed in gasoline heaters... Feel free to chime in though

From TheSamba

Well, I learned ALOT today. But the bus is in pieces so I'm very anxious. It's out of the garage and up on stands. Since its a daily, I'm kinda out. But thankfully I work two blocks away...

I started with the manual (online, through my iPad), and the simple things. I pulled the knob and went to the back to hit the reset on the heater. The motor began to spin, but I didn't hear any clicking from the pump. So, I went to check the thermostat cable, and made sure it was pulled up all the way. After breaking it free with some PB blaster, it moves freely now, and I can see it moving the lever on the thermostat. Still no pump clicks. I do feel a breeze coming out of the outlet under the rear seat, it's just not hot.

I also checked fuel delivery to the pump, and found that when I removed the fuel line from the pump, fuel did come out freely. Next, I removed the fuel pump from the heater and took both ends off and cleaned it well with some carb cleaner. I made sure both the input and output were clear and reassembled it. I put power to it and the piston moves freely. One way when I apply 12V, the opposite way when I remove the 12V. Figuring it was the points that "applied" and "removed" 12V I went to the wires coming from the heater:
There is one that green, one that's brown with white, and a brown ground. I put a test light on the green, and the other end on the brown/white and turned on the heater. I heard the motor spinning, but anticipated (if the points were running) that the light would flash. Nothing happened.



Anticipating the points are bad, I removed the heater from the bus. And in trying to get to the thermostat (which is behind a small access hole cut into the firewall) removed the bolts holding the the mustache bar and the cradle bolts from the top engine mount to lower the engine an inch or two in anticipation of completely removing the firewall. Though (I know I'm gonna get yelled at for this) it turned out to be much more efficient to just bend the firewall forward a bit for me to stick my hand in.

So now, I know I have power. I know the pump is working when it gets power. It is getting fuel.




What is my next step?

[Tom]

I'm pretty sure with a gas can and 12 v from your battery you can fire it up in the driveway. Maybe I shouldn't have used the words "fire it up."