Adventures of Vanabrick

Update: Where we stand July ’09

vanabrick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:17:38 +0000

Since I just started this blog I’ll try to capture what I’ve done the past few months with the old gal.

The Fuel pump was shot.. so started there with a new Bosch unit, new fuel filter and some gas. Man that old gas stinks so bad! With the new pump Vanabrick was still not starting very well but we do have pressure in the system now at least. The problem seems to be too much pressure now. I checked the gas return lines to the tank and we have bubbles in the tank so cross that off the list. Well the fuel pressure regulator had seen better days so it’s the next likely culprit. Threw in a new one to find some promising news. She will start now with someone working the throttle in the back but needs to run at full throttle. Regardless.. VANABRICK IS ALIVE!!!

This past weekend Nick and I broke out the ohmeter and tested the air flow meter. Out of spec on a few of the connections.. crap. Well I think I’ve found the big problem now but a reman runs about $150 from Bus Depot. Since I have no access to an electrical engineer I’ll have to fork out some more coin..

Happy to find the latest culprit I focused my efforts to the much needed rear hatch. It has the worst of all the rust and removing the rear window revealed some pretty nasty rot. Had to cut out parts of the lower lip of the window and lay some fiberglass and tiger hair (thanks Pete). It came out nice after some sanding and feels as strong as it should be. The top lip of the hatch was a little worse than the bottom of the window and we had to cut out and weld a new piece in. The next day with everything dry I put the hatch back on with some new stronger struts, replaced the window seal, rear window and rear hatch seal. A very successful weekend.. now time to have a beer and start counting my change.

Pictures coming soon of recent work..

So in summary:

Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Oil change (Mahle)
Plugs (WTF can I only find Champion at places around here.. will replace soon)
Fuel Pressure Regulator
K&N Filter
Rear hatch/window rust completed
Scrubbed grime off roof
Exterior parts removed ready for sanding and primer
Sand blasted wheels, painted white
New Hankook tires
Found some killer Wolfsburg emblem hub caps at show in Maple Grove
Unblemished front grill for $15

Learning The Aircooled Vanagon

vanabrick — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:35:57 +0000

Well here she is sitting in the field. As you can see the rust has begun to set in while sitting for 3+ years.

In The Field

Getting the Vanagon out of a frozen mud field provided some challenge but we were on the road after scratching our heads for a bit and sourcing a come-along.

On The Way Home

Then I inspected the engine bay and started pulling some things.. not surprised to find this in the air box.

Eww.. Mouse Nest

After cleaning up a bit and tinkering we threw in a battery and tried to turn her over. She actually fired on the second crank but died quickly. It’s beer’oclock..

Humble Beginnings

vanabrick — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:04:04 +0000

I found Vanabrick sitting in a field in rural Pennsylvania in February of 2009. I picked her up for $400. She did not run, was covered in mud and sunk about a half a foot into the frozen ground. With the help of my brother and some good neighbors we got her home.

Vanabrick was born a 2.0 aircooled passenger van in two-tone blue and 4 speed manual transmission.

Previous owners had decent records, engine had been rebuilt around 2002.. driven for about 10k when the engine began to stall and was then parked in the spot I found her.

From here on out I will detail what I have been able to accomplish and what I break…

Have Blog Will Travel

vanabrick — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:14:04 +0000

So I’ve decided to create a blog to detail the progress I make in fixing up my 1980 Aircooled Vanagon. Mostly for my own personal reference but maybe it will motivate others.