I'm on a cross country trip and have been having a couple of problems with my 82 westy and I was hoping someone might have an idea about what it is.  

First off is a problem starting the van when it is hot.  We drove for about 4 hours at 60 mph (about 90° outside)to Devil's Tower in Wyoming and the van was running great . After sitting for about 45 minutes, the van wouldn't start.  It turned over but wouldn't start.  After a few minutes I cranked the van again then after stopping, I pumped the gas pedal and is sort of slowly caught and started.  It ran fine after that and the next morning it started fine.  Happened again today after sitting in traffic for 30 minutes (at about 100°F). Any ideas?

Second problem is that the ebrake handle suddenly went all the way up to the top today (~5 clicks) and it won't hold the van.  The right rear brake is making a slight noise like the shoes are rubbing the drum. Time to seek professional help? (probably for driving a non-A/C van across the upper mid-west in late August!)

Thanks for any advice.

Scott Wetzel

82 Westfalia
80 Rabbbit Pickup
98 Jetta TDIthe van when it is hot.  We drove for about 4 hours at 60 mph (about 90° outside)to Devil's Tower in Wyoming and the van was running great . After sitting for about 45 minutes, the van wouldn't start.  It turned over but wouldn't start.  After a few minutes I cranked the van again then after stopping, I pumped the gas pedal and is sort of slowly caught and started.  It ran fine after that and the next morning it started fine.  Happened again today after sitting in traffic for 30 minutes (at about 100°F). Any ideas?

Second problem is that the ebrake handle suddenly went all the way up to the top today (~5 clicks) and it won't hold the van.  The right rear brake is making a slight noise like the shoes are rubbing the drum. Time to seek professional help? (probably f