1

CaveVan Stuff / Questions about the CaveVan Pop-Top Retrofit

« on: November 04, 2017, 02:32:34 pm »

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1718631

Just have a few questions for either Cole himself or owners of these vans.

1. For the GLS vans that are converted - how does the rear HVAC look and function?
2. Where does the air come out from? (Any photos of how its vented?)
3. Is it still possible to do this conversion or have many parts gone NLA?

Thanks!

2

Interior! / T4 Business Interior

« on: July 12, 2017, 06:11:25 pm »

http://bringatrailer.com/2015/11/09/one-of-180-2000-volkswagen-t4-business-syncro-tdi/

How do we get this interior?

Specifically the glovebox on the long nose van.

3

Shiny things you no longer want / VW Eurovan/T4 Backup Camera

« on: June 01, 2017, 04:23:31 am »

I bought a bunch of these cameras, but I only need one for myself.



I am selling the ones I don't need. Price is $60 shipped CONUS.

4

VR6 Engine tech / PSA: Check your chains!

« on: July 11, 2016, 03:53:38 pm »

While my father was going to work, the van lost all power - steering, brakes, engine, everything. Luckily he was only doing about 20-25 MPH at the time and managed to pull it into a grassy area safely.

Van was towed to the local VW dealership - where we were informed that the engine is toast. Okay, more specifically the timing chain guide snapped, timing chain stretched, and poof - bent valves and no compression on one of the cylinders.

Feels like a huge punch to the gut, not only because everyone in my family is obsessed with the car, but because I spent a long time adding the bi-xenon headlights, OEM double-din re-bar and re-doing the HVAC foam (all done last May). I was surprised that the engine failed in this manner since even the VW mechanic who looked at the car just a few weeks ago was surprised to hear of the news. I remember being advised to do that chains at some point but was told it didn't need to be done immediately. No rattling noises were detected by him. Oh well, retrospectively the timing chain service would have been done as well as the VCG and plugs.

EDIT: Engine swap options?
1. Do the AXK engine again? ($6000 w/new chains, with 5 yr warranty via dealer)
2. BDF engine?
3. Possible to put in a 1.8T BEA?

5

VR6 Engine tech / 24V valve cover gasket DIY? Cam Position Sensor?

« on: May 20, 2016, 04:41:15 am »

I'm quite new to wrenching on cars - any existing DIYs for the T4 (AXK)?

I have the Bentley manual on DVD but I can't find the section where this would be mentioned.

So I have the valve cover gasket, cam position sensor, and the engine filter. Not sure where I should look in the Bentley manual or otherwise for advice.

6

Interior! / Cupholder disassembly advice

« on: May 20, 2016, 03:57:13 am »

On my 2001 I'm having trouble removing the lower cup holder, I removed the two screws on either side but I'm not sure if I lift up or remove from the side. Any advice?

EDIT: This is embarrassing. It came out, just had to use a bit of force as something sticky was holding it down. 

7

Interior! / Floor Heating Vent and Flooring Options

« on: May 12, 2016, 07:23:52 am »

Looking to replace the worn out carpet in the back.

The OEM vinyl option appeals to me. The railing would be great too.



Images from: http://www.westfaliat4.info/html/2001_vw_westfalia_t4_californi.html

Here's an image for the full length heating vent. I despise the asymmetrical look of the floor with just the single black vent sticking out.
http://t4-wiki.de/w/index.php?title=Datei:Heizung_Ausstroemer_Fussraum_hinten_1999_Bild.jpg&filetimestamp=20100411130057&

Anyone know where to get the flooring or vent?

8

VR6 Engine tech / What else should I do at the same time?

« on: May 01, 2016, 03:55:35 am »

So because the engine swap idea kind of fell through - mainly due to lack of knowledge on my part - I'm just going to do the fall back option of maintenance.

Here's what's in my ECSTuning cart right now - along with my reasoning for it:
1. Timing Chain kit - I'm past 150k mi
2. Valve Cover Gasket - dealer said it was bad
3. Water Pipe Kit (thermostat housing too)
4. Spark Plugs
5. Thermostat - it'd feel weird to replace the thermostat housing and put the old thermostat back in
6. Coolant temperature Sensor (green top) - van was having problems starting while hot
7. Intermediate Timing Chain Gear - $117 from ECS - wish I could just have it 3D printed!
8. Serpentine Belt - this was done 50k mi ago - but if the engine has to come out for the timing chain anyway
9. Water Pump - not sure this is necessary

What am I missing? Should I do the head gasket while everything is open? If the priority is the valve cover gasket and spark plugs, does it make sense to do the rest? The van throws two codes P0171 and P0411.

9

Want to buy something? / WTB: 7D1857010AC Double-Din Re-bar

« on: April 18, 2016, 04:51:02 am »

Looking for the Double-Din kit that used to be sold by OEMPlus.

If I can't find something, I'll consider getting a Double-Din cage welded to my existing Re-bar.

10

Interior! / Bought a new steering wheel on eBay.de

« on: April 16, 2016, 09:59:40 am »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151883965723?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

7D0419091Q

Leather, supposedly OEM.

Ideally, I'd have the Touareg or Phaeton wheel with heating - but this'll have to do. It will be a huge upgrade from the plastic one in any case.

11

VR6 Engine tech / Porsche engine swap? Would it fit?

« on: April 15, 2016, 02:22:21 am »

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7322129-touareg-3-2-to-replace-2-8l
I saw this thread where a few people were talking about engine swaps, some even posting swaps with the Porsche Cayenne engine. Would the 3.2L or 3.6L fit?

Would swapping for the Cayenne engine then allow using the Cayenne 6 speed automatic? Wouldn't that increase reliability and performance? It seems like an engine and transmission swap would be a better idea than servicing the 4 speed automatic.