Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: How Deep Can a Vanagon Go
From:Nathan Wood
Date:Mon, 8 Jan 2007 19:34:43 -0600

When I first got my Syncro I was very excited to try out that snorkel
and see what it could do. In my bone stock '87 2.1L w/ 27" tires I
drove through standing water nearly up to the belt line. I could
easily stick my hand out the window and touch the water. When I would
pull out of the water, steam comes billowing out of the vents.

I pulled the engine cover and the foam on the bottom was completely
soaked and there was standing water on top of the distributor. The
engine was running just fine. I was amazed that the vehicle with over
100K on the clock could handle that kind of driving.

Now my understanding is that all 2.1Ls have the snorkel, but I don't
think they are equipped with the same transmission breather tubes the
syncros have (I could be wrong). So if you try it in a 2wd you may get
water in the tranny.

Now I wouldn't try this in a fancy Syncro Westy, but if you aren't
afraid to push it, they will go some amazing places. Plus you can
scare the hell out of your passengers!

Here's my off-road video:
http://www.251.org/Videos/mudding.mov

Nathan
Columbia, MO
92 Corrado SLC
01 Triumph Sprint ST