On 9/28/07, Kyle Davis <davis_family_46168@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hey guys!
>
>      I didn't realize that there were so many places
> to clean on a westy.  Here's the latest update:
>
>      Still battling it out with the drivers side
> window door regulator.  Will consider the excellent
> suggestion of lubricating the said regulator, but I
> think it may be bent a little out of shape after I've
> been working on it?
>
>     More on the cylinder engine head front-I've done a
> thorough visual inspection of the cylinder head that
> has been removed from the vehicle, and could find no
> cracks, hairline, or otherwise.  The rubber gasket
> around it even seemed pretty healthy for rubber that
> is that old.  The piston ring gaskets do have their
> usual oxidization, however.  A better glance of the
> engine compartment yielded the following mysteries:
>
>      1.)  There is a tank back there labeled ATF OIL.
> But the westy is a manual.  Is this what it says it
> is, or is it a brake fluid reservoir?

The brake fluid res. is on the master cylinder which is under cowling
that covers speedo/clock etc.

>      2.)  POs have really begun to PO me off.  They
> tried their best at removing the hoses, etc from the
> left side, but ended up cutting one instead of
> removing it (!) and also, some of the other hoses look
> kind of frayed.  Is it a big deal to get replacement
> hoses, or did the PO hose me as well?

The coolant hoses?

IIRC, heater hose is 5/8". Standard stuff. The rubber hoses from
engine to the steel (or plastic) are likely VW specific. Should be
fairly easy to get.

>      That's it for the engine.  Here's the skinny on
> the rest of it:
>
>      Found the strips that slide in where the bench
> slides out.  In that process, I found more areas to
> clean inside the vehicle (under the back seat where
> the jack is.)
>
>      There is a sticker under that back seat in
> several languages advising you to push in the seat
> belts before converting the back seat to a bed, but
> nothing stating how that happens.
>
>      The knob I pulled on to open up the back seat is
> at a funny angle, and will only function when it is
> unthreaded a ways.  Should this be straight?

You shouldn't have to unthread it. Likely got bent.

>
>      The bench seat retaining screws still refuse to
> give.  I could only crack open the refridgerator door
> enough to ascertain that it is, in fact, in the off
> position.
>
>      One more thing about underneath the back bench,
> there is a level that states off and on.  I think this
> may control the regulation of heat to that duct under
> the seat?

A "level" ?

like a bubble level?

May be there to see if van is level when parked. Van should be level
when operating the Dometic fridge for more than a few hours. i.e. when
parked for camping.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius)

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

Please send fav Vanagon/Westfalia links to me at:
musomuso1963@hotmail.com

>      That's all I got for now.  I'm through with
> buying stuff for it (unfortunately) until next payday.
>
> (but that doesn't mean I won't continue to tinker with
> it ;-)
> Kyle