The metal coolant tank cap is stock for 82 and 83 diesels. Very early
waterboxers too, since they used the 83 diesel tank at first.

The German guy near Los Angeles is the only reliable place I know of to
get diesel mounting bits. Prices are up though. He brings that stuff
over from Europe, in containers with engines, trannys, etc. Mostly
pretty rusty but still useable.

Mark

J Stewart wrote:
> Had me wondering, just where DO you get these diesel carrier bars-other than a wrecked/junked diesel Vanagon of course. I've seen ads on Samba, but always the "less desirable" early ones ('81-'82?) Then just this morning right outside Leesburg, VA. is a white Vanagon Westy sitting on the shoulder, with two guys standing behind it. I, of course, had to pull over to see if I could help (although I was in my Chevy Astro). Turns out it was a diesel, and it was overheating. I'd never really seen a diesel Vanagon engine bay up close before ( seriously) and it was the first time I saw how the engine carrier bars mount-now it all makes sense in my feeble mind! I have no idea what year this Vanagon is. Anyway, the only suspicious thing I noticed was the coolant tank had a regular metal radiator cap on it-I don't know diesels, but I'd bet money that ain't the original cap! Every time the guy would start it, it would force coolant out from around that cap. I told the guy that I didn't think
that was the proper cap, and he replied "Yeah, but it's been running like that for a couple of days" Hmmmm, ok, but it's not now, right? When I first pulled up he was adding Marvel Mystery Oil to it, I don't know why/how he thought that was going to help. Hate to say it, but there could be my diesel donor right there. I had to go, but I drove back by 1/2 hour later and the van was sit sitting there, the two guys were gone. I drove around Leesburg a bit trying find them to offer them a lift to where ever they could get some help/parts, whatever, but I didn't see them.
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