I can't believe I had a bay for 6 years and never knew that - it wasn't even part of the 'knowledge' my dad used to bestow on me about the intricacies and foibles of a VW Van!
if only ........I have three money boxes , cushion......a calender.....egg cups...........cup............hand warmers ............tobacco tin ............so what's wrong ..........not that I am not grateful ...........they are all splitscreen (rolls eyes) . Anyway on a newbie note all the of the above has been helpful, some amusing ( I know how to get in and out of the bay) but helpful , if only I had found this thread before and not posted most of the questioned you have answered in my restore thread...oooppppsss......however, Iam also now slightly over whelmed but reassured that not being able to find the gears is common ...
I learned you are supposed to press down on the gear stick to select reverse which helps enormously when you keep on putting it in to second and head the wrong way.
A thin smear of copper grease on nuts and bolts keeps the agro-ometer below 11 when you need to remove the stubborn little so and so again a couple years down the line. Just enough to fill the threads and always wipe off any excess
Things cost a whole lot more than you planned. Time to do stuff to your bus takes much² longer than you planned. Your bus is rustier than you think it is.
When you think "Great, my bus is painted, I can stop spending money and put it back together" you are wrong. There's still a good £1000 to go on odds and sods!
Instead of turning the radio up to 11, take time to listen to ALL of your van. Do it on different road surfaces, rumbles and clunks at the front for instance could be worn suspension bushes. And at different times during your journey, certain engine noises show up better when its warm After climbing that big hill or a heavy motorway stint and you re running the engine to cool open the engine bay and listen. That click clic click from the rear wheels may be a bit of gravel in the tread or a CV joint starting to go.( I wouldn't worry too much about that one, I ve had one 'going' for years) If you notice summat that doesn't sound like a dustbin full of bricks being chucked down the stairs, chances are it'll get you where you're going but when you get there get it fixed. Try John Muirs engine noises. If it don't sound right its not right.
Some great advice and loads of stuff here I didn't know. Rest assured I'll be checking back here, searching threads and then asking "stupid" questions.... Much appreciated.
If you wish to "hear" your bus ,slightly diff, strip the interior out entirely ,like everything ,to include the door cards ,cupboards ,curtains ,right down to the shell then go for a run ,wow, ! ever so slightly noisey and interesting ,ok then >deffening !
oh & allow extra time when approaching to overtake an arctic lorry on the motorway, as the person currently overtaking you will have slowed down to the same speed you are doing to look at your van. Eventually these people will have seen enough & move along allowing you to finally overtake the lorry
If you buy one from Poland their MOT means absolutely nothing, zilch, sweet f a, but it does give our testers a really good laugh!
Don't be tempted to rush out and replace those seemingly knackered parts/trim etc...unless it's absolutely necessary...even then, you're better off buying good used original stuff (even though it's not as shiney)....the modern replacements parts are pony. There's also a host of cottage industries that have developed around the Bus...some are really innovative and great products/services...others are money-orientated charlatans with nice websites and no scruples...go to shows and meet stall holders...you'll see what I mean (without wishing to be too cynical)
5 years ago,i payed 75 quid for 4 hubcaps,they are still like new. A few years before that,i bought cheaper ones...they lasted about a year or so.I still have them if anyone wants any 'Rat Caps'...