A few questions from a newbie

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by DrNinjamonkey, Jun 18, 2018.

  1. Hi - I introduced myself last week, my restoration book just arrived and i have the toolkit recommendation downloaded so i can start collecting the bits i need. I have a few questions and thought if i put them all in one place it might be a bit easier to get answers!

    1. I dont have a garage so i need a cover. Just Kampers do one for about £130, any others I should be looking at?

    2. My van has some small exterior rust spots (i got quite a bit of major welding done on the lower half so its mainly around windows etc.). I know I will need to address this at some point but should i be applying wax or some sort of touch up paint to it for now? Any suggestions?

    3. I read the "avoid a fire thread". I would like to avoid a fire! I'm visiting my Dad this weekend so I plan to go through that with him, I expect the breather hoses (is that what they are called?!) will need replacing. Is there a kit I can buy with all of them in or do i need to get them individually?

    4. My van has 4 keys. One to start it, one for the sliding door and side doors, one for the back door and one for the engine bay. The engine bay lock doesnt turn, feels like the key is wrong. The driver side door decided this weekend that it doesnt want to lock any more. I can lock it and when i try it once its locked but the silver tab pops out inside and the door opens on the second attempt....Would you suggest i take the locks out and inspect or are they pretty easy to come by and fit?


    As you can tell i am an complete novice here. I just went through a restoration thread and cant believe some of the people here teaching themselves to weld etc. Gives me some hope!

    Last thing, I have tried to find a basic service guide/youtube video but I can only find masses of super specific topics (how to change a dodgy pedal etc). Is there a "you must know how to do this and do it every X months" thread or video somewhere?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Welcome along and remember too remove the engine it’s only four bolts:cool:
     
  3. Ask @davidoft about key if your after less
     
    davidoft likes this.
  4. crossy2112

    crossy2112 Supporter

    You can suite the keys by changing the tabs around in the barrels but its fiddly and needs patience. Its easy enough to clean them out with wd40 then put some graffite onto the key to keep 'em working ok.
     
  5. re: 3
    you don't need to replace the pipes, just the short lengths (5cm) of fuel hose that join them together. That said, I'd say that this could be a job to hold off on until you need to remove the engine. The breather pipe connectors in the engine bay are simple enough to replace (there is 1 on the LHS hidden up out if sight above where the leisure battery goes) but the 4 hidden behind the fire wall in the fuel tank compartment are a complete PITA!!

    They need to be checked (and the rubber components of the fuel filler neck too, while you are at it) but if you can add up a few jobs to include something that requires the engine to come out (eg clutch replacement), so much the better.

    That said, don't hesitate to replace the fuel line from the tank to the engine bay asap...much easier :)

    P.
     
  6. Day

    Day

    The manuals: Bentley service manual, Haynes manual, How to keep your VW alive...all have a section on 'what you need to do/check' the routine maintenence ..
    Learn those bits and do them and you can enjoy your bus all the more..
     
  7. Look at the maypole cover fits mine perfect and was half the price of the one you mentioned.
     
  8. stirlingmoz

    stirlingmoz Supporter

    Custom and Commercial have a lock service if you don’t fancy taking them all apart.

    They can key all the locks to the ignition so you end up with one key.

    I think Robin is the lock/key guy.

    I had a Karmann Ghia door lock done a few years ago and from memory it was about £20

    Strangely satisfying having it all on one key (especially if you’ve been carrying round a bunch of them)


    Stirlingmoz
     
  9. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    See if you can get a marquee type cover rather than the wrap around ( breathable ) things. They trap moisture and seem to accelerate surface rust in my experience. The marquee free standing type covers that you can buy quite cheaply on ebay are far better IMO.
     
  10. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Use a bit of rust prevention and paint until you can do the job properly.
     
  11. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    The trick with rust is to not simply paint over it but take off the paint over bubbles, sand down to get rust off, fill holes , treat with some rust converter when its mostly metal. Then get several coats of paint on it.

    Rust tracks from small holes to become big bubbles and big holes.

    I try to hit scabs before they grow too big.

    Unfortunately a lot of rust bubbles come from damp inside: if there is no obvious surface damage then things are usually worse than they look.
    A restored section of bus may need sanding back and repainting properly if it shows signs of surface rust.

    Find a warm day and spray cavity wax inside doors sills chassis, inside body panels...
    Rip out old felt type insulation. This can trap water and soak it up. Similarly some modern "green" insulation can get soggy if not sealed.

    Depending on the air circulation round where you store your bus, a cover may either keep it drier or trap damp . Mine is on a windy driveway so a cover keeps sun and heavy rain off but doesnt stop damp but then its well ventilated round tbe bus.

    As for people storing buses in a damp garage this is probably worse than outside..
     
    Kkkaty likes this.
  12. Don't buy the JK cover look for a Maypole cover on eBay £85.00 and much better the sellers name is Grasshopper leisure
     
  13. What is cavity wax please? Sounds like something I should do.
     
    jivedubbin likes this.
  14. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    Sits back and waits for the naughty boys to arrive.
     
  15. crossy2112

    crossy2112 Supporter

    I'm too much of a gent to comment on waxing your cavities Mr T :D
     
    Terrordales likes this.
  16. Suss

    Suss Supporter

    I saw this last night but wouldn't lower myself to make rude comments.:)






    I think I'm going to work as I'm struggling with it now!!!:rolleyes:
     
    CollyP, Terrordales and Kkkaty like this.
  17. Does anyone know if tea is harmful to iPads? Cos I just spat all over mine.

    Omg when snotty and Haynes see this they’ll have a field day.
     
  18. Weary sigh.....
     
    Ermintrude, jivedubbin and CollyP like this.
  19. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    You need to add a "tut" , or perhaps @Ermintrude could do that. I believe she has a degree in Tutting.
     
    Kkkaty and Ermintrude like this.
  20. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Miss Tut from Tuttering in the shire of the Tuts.
     
    Kkkaty, Ermintrude and Terrordales like this.

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