Adam:  The black thing on the dist. cap may be a waterproofing thing.  If
it fits like a condom over the cap and wires, that's probably it.  They'rre
sold for dune buggies and sand rails fro that reason.  As for the coolant
access, I make sure the prestone jug is only about 1/3 full and turn it
sideways and pour.  It's not like your feeding mega liters into this thing
anyway.  Don't buy a funnel for this!  Instead, buy a $5 bottle of Chevron
Techroline fuel injector cleaner, pour it in your tank next fill up, and
then cut the bottom of it off and you now have a funnel that will get gas,
oil, collant, and washer fluid neatly where it's supposed to go.   Can't
help you on the under seat access.  I bought a 20" blue Rubbermaid  and
Grey 24" Rubbermaid plastic tool box to store stuff in there.  Blue fits
the pass side and grey the drivers andd barely fits in, but I pulled the
lid off so it could be storage for the coleman fuel, antifreeze oil, etc.
and it will contain spills.  Had a coleman can leak on the carpet for  a
week before I recognized the smell.  You think cleaning up an antifreeze
leak off the rear heater core is tough, try this one!  The blue box I store
the timing light, spare parts, nuts, bolts, light bulbs, hoses etc.  The
mail tool box sits inbetween the front seasts with a homemade lid on top
that nestles the drinks/CD player/ etc.  Good luck pouring this winter!!

Bullwinkle

----------
> From: adam grove <malchik_2@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
> Subject: Bumpers and other oddities
> Date: Monday, November 03, 1997 1:10 PM
>
> Hi all,
>
> Since I purchased my 91 syncro westy I have noticed a few odd things -
> or at least odd to me.
>
> Why does my van have a nice metal bumper up front and a fiberglass one
> in the back?  Why are there no provisions to attach a liscence plate to
> the front bumper.  Can I glue mine one (AK requires two plates).
>
> Back to the rear --- I have this neat looking 2000lb hitch on the back
> installed  in Germany at the Graz factory upon request of the PO.  For
> the electrics, there is a round plug with maybe six-eight connectors.
> Is it possible to find a male counterpart to this plug so I could tow my
> little 5OOlb coleman utility trailer if needed and still have lights on
> it?
>
> Why is the distributor covered in a black plastic bag which sort of
> covers it and encases the wires?
>
> How in the world are you supposed to fill the oil and coolant without a
> funnel.  Thanks to the list I am wise to the extending oil fill tube.
> Regardless, it is impossible to fill either without a funnel - does this
> make sense?
>
> Why isn't there a door in the front panel of the rear seat so you can
> access the inside without having to lift the seat each time.  A real
> pain with a child's safety seat strapped to it.
>
> Oh there are other things, but these were the most pressing.  I don't
> mean to complain - I'll buy a funnel and could cut a door in the seat
> panel like is in my 73 westy. I can remove the plastic covering the
> distributor and probably order the hitch plug from VW too, but the
> bumper thing is really wierd.
>
> Don't get me wrong - I love the van absolutely!  It is great in snow and
> I even got to test the 4wd this weekend - it works as I saw with my own
> eyes the front left wheel spinning on the ice when I opened my door and
> looked down as I was rapidly (attempting) to accelerate on a parking lot
> of ice.
>
> Off to drive around some more!
>
> Adam
> Anchorage AK
> 91 Syncro Westy
> 73 Westy
>
>
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