VanAgain Journal

The VanAgain Blog

Repair notes, fitment guidance, and practical parts references for VW Bus, Vanagon, and Eurovan owners.

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VanAgain Journal
The Vanagon Accelerator Cable.
An often overlooked item on your Vanagon is the acclerator cable/linkage. These languish for years without inspection until one day you are driving along and “snap” you have no more “go-go”. I just had this happen to me last week so I know it can and does happen frequently. The best way to prevent this problem is to have a spare cable on hand (we sell them for not much money) and to inspect your cable once a year at the place where it always fails, right where the linkage... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Vanagon with Metal Coolant pipes (83-85)
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Waterboxer 83-85 with Metal Coolant Pipes Under Van (BetweenVIN 25-D-087511 and VIN 25-F-060000): Coolant Hose Part Numbers with Prices: 1. Lower radiator (return) hose: 251121083G 2. Upper radiator (feed) hose: N90166601 3. Between coolant pipe (feed) and bleeder assembly: 025121062  4. Between coolant pipe (return) and bleeder assembly: 025121102  5. Between bleeder assembly (feed) and thermostat housing (lower): 025121073E 6. Between bleeder assembly (return) and pump housing (upper): 025121103C 7. Small hose between expansion tank (upper) and “H” valve: N90166601 8. Small hose between expansion... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
How to Troubleshoot the oil light and buzzer on 86-92 Vanagons
A common problem with 86-91 2.1l Vanagons is the flashing oil light with buzzer sounding. This article only effects 86-91 2.1l waterboxer Vanagons. If you have an earlier Vanagon (80-85) please refer to my previous article about the oil light coming on: https://www.vanagain.com/article/stop-your-oil-light-from-flickering Please Note! I want to stress that if your oil pressure light comes on, please pull over immediately and shut the engine off. Don’t let the fact that you read this article and you think that you know why this is happening and it is just a... Read more...
Coolant Hose Chart for Syncro Vanagon (86-91) - VanAgain article image
Coolant Hose Chart for Syncro Vanagon (86-91)
2.1l Vanagon Syncro (8691) Coolant Hoses Part Number and Price List: 1. Lower radiator (return) hose – 251121083H 2. Upper radiator (feed) hose – 251121082 3. Between coolant distributor and... Read more...
1.9l Vanagon water pump replacement - VanAgain article image
1.9l Vanagon water pump replacement
1.9l Vanagon water pump replacement Here is a link to a nice video one of our customer’s made about how to replace a water pump in a 1.9l Vanagon. Let... Read more...
How to replace your rear brakes on a Vanagon - VanAgain article image
How to replace your rear brakes on a Vanagon
Getting ready to replace rear brake shoes: Use our instructions about inspecting Vanagon brakes to learn how to remove your drums. After you do that you should be looking at... Read more...
Coolant Hose Chart for Eurovan 97-2000 with 2.8l Engine - VanAgain article image
Coolant Hose Chart for Eurovan 97-2000 with 2.8l Engine
1. 7D0121253 – Radiator – $250 2. 021121004A – Water Pump – $79 3. 7D0121051 – $68.98 water hose / (coolant thermostat housing > vacuum valve > radiator) / F... Read more...
Front Brake Parts Breakdown for 80-85 Vanagon - VanAgain article image
Front Brake Parts Breakdown for 80-85 Vanagon
Vanagon Front Disc Brake Parts Breakdown (80-85 with ATE Calipers) 1. 251615107 – Caliper without pads left 1. 215615108 – Caliper without pads right 2. 211615141A – Caliper bolt 3.... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
Spark Plug Wire Order and Timing Order of 93 Eurovan
So you were really careful when you pulled your plug wires off, and you still managed to get the order wrong. How you can start over and get the wiring order correct for your 5-cylinder Eurovan? By using the pictures above. The number 1 cylinder is the that is nearest the Timing belt end of the engine and then numbered from left to right 1 through 5. Now just find the notch in the distributor housing and work counter clockwise from there: 1-2-4-5-3 That is the correct firing order and... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Vanagon with Plastic Coolant pipes (85)
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Waterboxer 85 with Plastic Coolant Pipes Under Van (VIN 25-F-060001 and Higher): Coolant Hose and Pipe Part Numbers: 1. Lower radiator (return) hose: 251121083H 2. Upper radiator (feed) hose: 251121082 3. Between coolant pipe (feed) and bleeder assembly: 025121062C 4. Between coolant pipe (return) and bleeder assembly: 025121102A 5. Between bleeder assembly (feed) and thermostat housing (lower): 025121073E 6. Between bleeder assembly (return) and pump housing (upper): 025121103C 7. Small hose between expansion tank (upper) and “H” valve: N90166601 8. Small hose between expansion tank... Read more...
Coolant Hose Chart for 2.1l Vanagon (86-91 2wd) - VanAgain article image
Coolant Hose Chart for 2.1l Vanagon (86-91 2wd)
Coolant Hose Chart for 2.1l Vanagons (86-91) 2wd only: Coolant Hose Part Numbers with links to our store: 1. Lower radiator (return) hose: 251121083H or on models factory equipped w/205... Read more...
Vanagon 1.9l Turbo Diesel Conversion - VanAgain article image
Vanagon 1.9l Turbo Diesel Conversion
UPDATE: Just spoke to my supplier and as of October 2015 this kit is discontinued. I have removed it from my store and I can no longer sell it. I... Read more...
Coolant Hose Chart for Eurovan 92-95 with 5 cylinder Engine - VanAgain article image
Coolant Hose Chart for Eurovan 92-95 with 5 cylinder Engine
1 074121051C water hose / (radiator > water pump) / F >> 70-N-002 000* / AAF,ACU diesel eng.: AAB (1) 074121051D water hose / (radiator > water pump) / F... Read more...
Installing a Lithium Battery into a Vanagon - VanAgain article image
Installing a Lithium Battery into a Vanagon
So you want to put a Lithium Battery in your Vanagon?  That is a great idea! In fact, there is no downside to doing this except the initial cost of... Read more...
Waterboxer Vanagon Firing Order and Plug Wire Help - VanAgain article image
Waterboxer Vanagon Firing Order and Plug Wire Help
So you were really careful when you pulled your plug wires off, and you still managed to get the order wrong. Or you got a basket case Vanagon and never... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
How to Drop and Reinstall a Gas Tank on a 2wd Vanagon (replacing lines and seals too!)
If you want to replace all the rubber fuel lines and seals on the tank we sell kits that will help you out. gastankkit1 for 84-92 Vanagon with plastic filler neck gastankkit2 for 80-84 Vanagon with metal filler neck Please look in the passenger side wheel well to be sure which filler neck you have before ordering if you have an 84 model. Here is the procedure: Unhook supply and return lines (one either side of tank) and drain fuel or siphon fuel out of filler hole (quicker). Undo the... Read more...
Installing a Digifant Wiring Harness on a 2.1l Vanagon - VanAgain article image
Installing a Digifant Wiring Harness on a 2.1l Vanagon
  How to Install a Digifant Wiring Harness on a 2.1l Vanagon.   I usually just remove the old harness one plug at a time and plug in the new... Read more...
Driving a Vanagon in Belize - VanAgain article image
Driving a Vanagon in Belize
Driving a Vanagon in Belize! As many of you know, my wife and I had a wonderful trip to Belize in Central America last winter. In fact we enjoyed it... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
YouTube Videos
A few years ago, I started making videos and posting them on YouTube to help folks keep their vans on the road. We started a Youtube channel and that contains all of our videos at the moment. You should be able to find it here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAgJQ6PzI_quxSGZYGKyVdQ If you subscribe through YouTube you will be notified once I add new videos. Have fun and don’t watch them at work I don’t want to be blamed if you get fired! Ken Read more...
Vanagon Air Conditioning Words of Wisdom - VanAgain article image
Vanagon Air Conditioning Words of Wisdom
Of course since it is summer time, I get lots of emails and calls about Vanagon Air conditioning.  I would like to take a moment and talk about it and... Read more...
How to remove and replace your radiator in an 87-91 Vanagon. - VanAgain article image
How to remove and replace your radiator in an 87-91 Vanagon.
Please support us with your purchases.  Here is a link to purchase your radiator from us: https://www.vanagain.com/shop/vanagon-radiator Instructions: Unhook the negative terminal on your battery. Put the van up on... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
John 3:16
Over the years, many folks have asked me what the John 3:16 reference in my signature means.  I am writing this to answer that question.   I did not write this but it sums up very well what I believe and how I have trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Please read all the way to the bottom. My Friend: I am asking you the most important question of life. Your joy or your sorrow for all eternity depends upon your answer. The question is: Are you saved? It is... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
Drain Plug Thread Repair on a Waterboxer engine
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VanAgain Journal
The 5th Van: A short story by Ken Wilford
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VanAgain Journal
Maggie: a short story by Ken Wilford
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VanAgain Journal
The Vanagon Charging System:
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Vanagon Gas Tank Issues
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The water cooled Vanagon heater system
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The Truth About Coolant and The Vanagon Cooling system.
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Vanagon Steering.
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Idle Switch Adjustment for 85-92 Vanagon.
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VanAgain Journal
Removing and Replacing Air Conditioner Compressor on 2000-03 Eurovan
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Replacing your Vanagon Exhaust System (waterboxer):
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How to Remove and Replace Rear Control Arm Bushings on a Vanagon
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How to remove and replace front Syncro Vanagon CV Axle :
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How can I find out what is draining my battery?!?!
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Checking and filling transmission Fluid on Late Model Eurovan.
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How-to Remove and Replace Eurovan Shocks
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How to Replace your Vanagon Antenna
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How to Install a "Wet" Oil Pressure Gauge on a Vanagon
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VanAgain Journal
How to Stop your Oil Light from Flickering at idle
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VanAgain Journal
How to Troubleshoot your Vanagon for "Bucking" or Loss of Power Syndrome
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VanAgain Journal
How to Replace your ignition switch (all year and model Vanagons)
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How to Troubleshoot your Radiator Fan System (83.5-91 non-diesel Vanagons)
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VanAgain Journal
How to Change Front Brake Pads ('86-91 Vanagon)
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VanAgain Journal
How to inspect the rear brakes on a Vanagon
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VanAgain Journal
How to troubleshoot a Vanagon that won't start
Help my 2.1l Vanagon has fallen on it’s face and it can’t get up! A Vanagon Stalls and Won’t Start. I have had people email me with this problem about a million times so I finally decided to do a web page about the proper proceedure to get your van up and running again. GOT GAS? First of all, do you have gas in the tank? Please, you don’t know how many times people call me, I ask them this question and they get really quiet for a minute. Don’t... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
The Truth about Vanagon Heads and Head Gasket Replacement
Of course the Head Gasket is the bugger boo of Vanagon ownership. Much has been made of how unreliable the Vanagon is because of the head gaskets have a tendency to leak over time. However with regular maintenance you can extend the life span of your head gaskets to 100k miles or more. The first tip I will give you is to regularly change your coolant or at least add a coolant renewal to the coolant system every two years. You can buy a coolant renewal fluid from NAPA. Over... Read more...
VanAgain Journal
How to Troubleshoot your Vanagon for "Hot Foot" Syndrome
How-to stop heat from coming out of the lower vents You just bought your van and you are ready for a great summer of fun. Your A/C is recharged or you are ready to crank down those windows and use the 2-60 A/C (2 windows at 60 mph ? when you feel that something isn’t quite right. You head is cool but your feet are warm, no downright hot! Hot air is coming out of the lower vents in your 82-91 watercooled Vanagon (diesel included). What do you do? Your... Read more...
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Vanagon with Metal Coolant pipes (83-85) - VanAgain article image
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Vanagon with Metal Coolant pipes (83-85)
Coolant Hose Chart for 1.9l Vanagon with Metal Coolant pipes (83-85) Read more...