How to drive to Devon/Cornwall in a air-cooled van

[marmite monster]

So after trying to drive to Croyed from the midlands last weekend and having engine failure 14 miles from the campsite, I have been thinking maybe there is some kind of technique in driving long distance in air-cooled vans.

Anyone got any tips ?

Buy a t5 don't count as a tip fyi :lol:

 

[StuF]

We have been as far as Monaco, Spain and Italy in our bus without issue.
What was the cause of your engine failure?
We have several gauges installed to monitor various aspects of the engines performance - oil temp and pressure being key

When we were travelling down through Spain in 34 degree heat the oil temp did rise and we had to back off the speed to bring it back down again.
Without this we may have cooked the engine as we were doing 6-8 hours a day driving in the heat.

Pre - journey maintenance is important and I change the oil regularly and check the important bits like valve clearances, timing and fuel lines.
Fingers crossed you have better luck with your next trip

 

[monkeyvanwestybike]

Don't Rag the Tits off it either !

 

[who?1]

Tortoise and the Hare, Steady and slow is the way to go!

I think you have just been unlucky!

 

[Heebee_GB]

Don't Rag the Tits off it either !

Hahahaha :lol:

 

[marmite monster]

We have been as far as Monaco, Spain and Italy in our bus without issue.
What was the cause of your engine failure?
We have several gauges installed to monitor various aspects of the engines performance - oil temp and pressure being key

When we were travelling down through Spain in 34 degree heat the oil temp did rise and we had to back off the speed to bring it back down again.
Without this we may have cooked the engine as we were doing 6-8 hours a day driving in the heat.

Pre - journey maintenance is important and I change the oil regularly and check the important bits like valve clearances, timing and fuel lines.
Fingers crossed you have better luck with your next trip

some good advice thanks

 

[ozziedog]

As they have mostly said above ^^^ Preventitive maintenance is key, take it steady is also key, and keeping checks on your motor is another either by gauges, even your nose, or just very frequent oil and visual checks, Mercedes Sprinters these are not, if you are really in a rush, then take your daily don't murder your bus.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,, look after us,, bus looks after us :mrgreen:

 

[lasty]

Less on the bling and more time learning .
First trip in mine - I took it to Turkey .
I knew NOTHING when I set off but learned quickly and steady away got me there ..........



and back 2 years later .

Really dunno why people spend a fortune on the looks but know very little about the actual van . :roll:

Enjoy the rebuild ...

 

[rlepecha]

I don't think its all about monitoring gauges etc, VW never fitted them and how many buses broke down? Probably less than they do now!

Just got to make sure everything is in place, tinware, flaps etc. And its tuned right.
If your running something aftermarket on the engine or something that's not stock, then you need to think about extra gauges etc.

Stick to a nice speed 55-60 mph and all should be good.

That said, its probably worth investing in a save my bug dipstick for peace of mind. Its all you really need..
I've got a industrial thermocouple and gauge fitted, along with an oil pressure gauge. I just spend my time watching then fluctuate which does my head in.. Thinking about taking the temperature one out next week. Don't check the oil pressure one that often really, use it more on cold mornings to check the oil pressure doesn't get too high or monitor when its warm enough to give it a bit more go.

Sent from my Siswoo C55 using Tapatalk

 

[monkeyvanwestybike]

Less on the bling and more time learning .


Really dunno why people spend a fortune on the looks but know very little about the actual van .

I know my van really well........ but i dunno how much ive actually spent! :lol: :lol:

Even if the Op has spent loads on
How he wants his van to look
That's not any more reason for it
To break down
Just because he takes pride in it
Just unlucky that day
It will happen to all of us at some point

 

[thefonze]

Agree with all the above. I'm no expert but one I think is worth mentioning is. . What tyre and wheel size are you running at the rear? Just looking at your picture they seem quite low profile, when I lowered my bus I wanted to stick with the 14" steels so I was advised to fit bigger tyre profiles (than were fitted by the previous owner) to get a larger overall diameter at the rear and put less stress on the engine. Hope this helps

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Agree with all the above. I'm no expert but one I think is worth mentioning is. . What tyre and wheel size are you running at the rear? Just looking at your picture they seem quite low profile, when I lowered my bus I wanted to stick with the 14" steels so I was advised to fit bigger tyre profiles (than were fitted by the previous owner) to get a larger overall diameter at the rear and put less stress on the engine. Hope this helps

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

This is a big one in my eyes,

Stick a bigger diameter tyre on the rear it will help enormously!

 

[Dickie524]

I also understand that unleaded burns fractionally hotter then leaded used to, so engine temps may be a bit higher than they were first designed to be, for prolonged periods...

 

[Clem]

The fuel thing shouldn't make a difference, people have been driving long distances on unleaded fuel with no specific issues. Really, the key points have been covered - make sure you have all the tinware in place, that seals are fitted and the van is well serviced - clean oil, tappetts, carb, timing etc all set correctly.

The rear tyre thing is a good point, use a tyre calculator online to ensure the rolling radius is at least equal to that of a 185 x 15* tyre which was standard.

Warning guages can help, assuming they are correctly calibrated, but I've never had any. If you are worried then when you stop, make sure you can hold the oil dipstick for a rough guide that all is well.

Don't drive it like a modern car, back off a bit and take it easy. Unless you REALLY know your engine, then not revving or labouring the engine will help no end.

* 185 x 14 Edited.

 

[chad]

Sorry to be a smart*** but wasn't the standard tyre size 185/14

 

[sparkywig]

Sorry to be a smart*** but wasn't the standard tyre size 185/14

Yes, a 185C14 actually.
82% aspect ratio, with a rolling circumference of 1987.5mm if you want to do a tyre calculation.
Closest 15" tyre is a 195/70/15.

 

[Clem]

Sorry to be a smart*** but wasn't the standard tyre size 185/14

Yep, my typo

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Sorry to be a smart*** but wasn't the standard tyre size 185/14

Yes, a 185C14 actually.
82% aspect ratio, with a rolling circumference of 1987.5mm if you want to do a tyre calculation.
Closest 15" tyre is a 195/70/15.

Going bigger can help, you may suffer on acceleration a tiny bit but will gain on top end speed for the same RPM so in effect cruising at a higher speed for less effort on the engine.