Mid-1980s T3 Kombi

Late 1980s T3 Caravelle Syncro

Also known as a T3 in Europe. VW Type2 T3 Kombi Mid-1980s VW Type 2 Kombi. ... VW Type2 T3 Kombi Mid-1980s VW Type 2 Kombi. ... VW Type2 T3 Caravelle Syncro File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... VW Type2 T3 Caravelle Syncro File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Mid-1980s T3 Kombi Late 1980s T3 Caravelle Syncro Also known as a T3 in Europe. ... World map showing Europe (geographically) When considered a continent, Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, with an area of 10,600,000 km² (4,140,625 square miles), making it larger than Australia only. ...

The Vanagon is a late model Volkswagen Bus, built from 1980 until 1991. It was replaced by the EuroVan in the US market in 1993 (1992 saw no VW bus imported into the U.S. market except for custom campers sold by companies other than VW), and was most recently produced in South Africa, where it was finally replaced by the T5 platform. It was the last of the rear-engined VW busses and is characterized by a much squarer appearance than the Microbus, a huge windshield and rear windowscreen, and the water cooled model years having two large Grilles in the nose. It is characterized by some as resembling a huge VW Rabbit, Vanagons are known as "Caravelle" or simply "transporter" elsewhere in the world (outside the US) Volkswagen [literally: peoples car] (VW) is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Germany. ... The Eurovan was the first front-engined van of German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen and is the successor of the famous classic VW Type 2 van. ... Turkmenistan Airlines is the only airline that offers non-stop service from Europe to Turkmenistan and connections to Delhi, Karachi, Abu Dhabi, and Central Asia. ... The VW Type 2 was the second automotive line introduced by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. ... VW Golf Mk. ... Sud Aviation Caravelle The SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium_range jet airliner, produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 (when it was still known as SNCASE). ...

History

The Vanagon was built to be the modern successor to the Microbus, but was failed by its engine. Unfortunately, the vehicle was grossly underpowered in relation to its curb weight. Later versions of this van (produced by VW of S. Africa) had a 5-cylinder engine which helped performance greatly. The VW Type 2 was the second automotive line introduced by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. ...

Most earlier year vans had chrome-plated steel bumpers with plastic endcaps; later year vans had fiberglass (or some synthetic of some sort) bumpers that are larger and squarer than the early models, Chrome may refer to: Chrome is a song from Debbie Harrys debut solo album Koo Koo. ... Jump to: navigation, search The old steel cable of a colliery winding tower Steel is a metal alloy whose major component is iron, with carbon being the primary alloying material. ... Fiberglass or fibreglass is material made from extremely fine fibers of glass. ...

The very early (all '80, some '81) had 8 welded-in metal slats covering the engine ventilation passages behind the rear windows. All later had black plastic 16 slat covers that slotted in at the top and screwed down at the bottom.

The first ('80 to '83.5) Vanagons had 2000cc (67bhp) Air Cooled Flat 4s, believed to be using some form of L-jetronic.

There was also one water-cooled boxer (flat 4) engine used in the Vanagon, featuring two variations: Boxer redirects here; for other meanings of boxer, see Boxer (disambiguation). ...

• 1913cc (83bhp) engine used for the 83.5 to 85 model years, which used a fuel injection system known as "Digijet".

• 2100cc (95bhp) engine used until the end of Vanagon importation into the US in 1991. This engine used a more advanced fuel injection system known as "Digifant". These were plagued by head gasket failures due to inadequate maintanance (the system must be flushed/filled with "phosphate free" coolant every 1-2 years *religiously*) and marginal design (the engine *DOES NOT* like overheating).

The switch to water cooling was made so abruptly mid-year in 1983 because VW could no longer make the air-cooled engines meet emissions standards (or so says the lore). Water-cooled models can be distinguished by a second radiator grille. Fuel Injection is a method to precisely meter fuel into an internal combustion engine, where the fuel is then burned in air to produce heat. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Emission standards limit the amount of pollution that can be released into the atmosphere. ...

Because of the engine placement, a Vanagon has very nearly equal 50/50 weight distrubution fore and aft.

A 4-wheel-drive version of the vehicle (called a Syncro) was manufactured in limited numbers from 1986 through 1991. With the short wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution, these vehicles have surprisingly good off-road capabilities.

There were also 1.6l (1600cc) 48bhp diesel Vanagons available for the 1982 model year. They didn't sell well in this configuration due to the severe lack of power. Fuel economy, however, often approached 30 mpg. Jump to: navigation, search Diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of fuel oil (mostly petroleum) that is used in a diesel engine invented by German engineer Rudolf Diesel, and perfected by Charles F. Kettering. ...

1980 to 1985 model years had round sealed beam headlights. All subsequent models had smaller square headlights, with the primary lights outboard and high beams inboard.

The later years had a lowered suspension height because people didn't like pulling themselves up into the busses as though they were getting into a truck.

Features

With the engine and transaxle mounted very low in the back, the Vanagon had much larger disc brakes in the front, and drums in the rear. But unlike the Microbus before it, the Vanagon was available with amenities such as power steering, air conditioning, power door locks, electrically controlled and heated mirrors, lighted vanity mirrors, and a light above the glove box (most of which were essentially standard equipment in the later models). Close-up of a disc brake on a car On automobiles, disc brakes are often located within the wheel The disc brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel. ... Jump to: navigation, search A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against the inner surface of a rotating drum. ... The VW Type 2 was the second automotive line introduced by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. ... ... Note: in the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. ...

This was one of the few vehicles ever in which the automatic transmission was tougher than the stick, which was caused by the fact that, up until the 1990 model year, the 3-4 Gear Synchro Slider Hub was of a flawed design. This could result in cracking, or at times even breakage, causing the transmission to get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. A new 3-4 hub design not susceptible to stress fractures was implemented sometime in late 1989, first showing up in early 1990 model year vehicles. An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the car or truck moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. ... This is an article about manual transmission in general; for guidance on how to drive with a manual transmission, see Manual transmission driving technique. ...

The Autobox was a standard (but reliable) 3 speed, the same as used in Audis of the Era. Both the auto and stick have a 1.0 ratio top gear, with the automatic having a shorter geared final drive. Audi is a automobile maker in Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. ...

The Vanagon has a lot of little quirks, such as the fact that the brake master cylinder is inside the dashboard. In order to get at the brake fluid reservoir one has to remove the instrument cluster cover and a protective plastic sheet, and exercise great care when filling the reservoir so as to not spill brake fluid all over the instruments and dash wiring. This also makes replacing a failed master cylinder more than a little difficult. Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in brake applications in automobiles and light trucks. ...

The battery in the gasoline models is located under the passenger side front seat, to protect it from the elements. This makes finding it for the first time a bit of a challenge. there is a compartment of equal size under the driver's side seat, for a second battery, which wasn't present except in the case of certain "Weekender" camper models.

The oil filler tube for the engine is located behind the flip down license plate door, and this requires extra care when pulling into a full service fuel station, as the gas station attendant will most likely try to put gasoline into the oil unless instructed otherwise. Most early vans had a cheap gas cap right on the outside just under and behind the passenger side door. A locking cap was optional, but like other amenities, became very common on later models.

The spare tire lies in a tray under the very front of the van (as the engine is in the back), just below the radiator. To get the spare out one must undo a bolt in the bottom of the front bumper, pull a small latch back, and swing the tray down. A radiator is any device that emits a form of radiation. ...

Model variations

There were also three basic variations for the Vanagon :

• Vanagon, which featured vinyl seats and a very spartan interior.

• Vanagon L, which had optional cloth seats, nicer interior panels and an optional dashboard blower.

• Vanagon GL, which had the nicest amenities (mentioned above).

There were also Westfalia pop-top Camper Vanagons, with an integrated kitchen and bedding. Jump to: navigation, search A vinyl is an organic molecule containing a vinyl group or alkene. ... The name of a class of Super Soldiers in the video game series called Halo. ... Westfalia is the model name of a Volkswagen camper van. ...

There were 4 wheel drive Vanagons that were branded by Volkswagen as "Syncro." This full-time four-wheel drivetrain should not be confused with the system that was used in Volkswagen Quantum wagons. The Quantum Syncro wagons had a system identical to that of an Audi 4000 Quattro. The manual transmissions in these vans had an extra-low-ratio "granny gear," thus giving the appearance of a 5-speed transmission even though this gear was only used off-road. The Volkswagen Santana is a sedan version of the Volkswagen Passat, first introduced in 1981, and also known in the Americas as the Quantum (at least in Brazil, only the station wagon version was called Quantum). ...

Top-of-the-line Wolfsburg Edition Westfalia Campers, which had all options, were at the top of the price range. Syncro-equipped examples can still command up to $25,000 today. Weser watershed Wolfsburg is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. ...

Also available were Wolfsburg Edition "Weekender" models which had two rear facing seats behind the front seats in place of a centre bench seat and a table that popped up from out of the wall. There also existed "Multivan" models, which had the Wolfsburg Edition trim and interior with rear-facing seats, but the Westfalia poptop. All Wolfsburg Edition and camper van vehicles were specially built for Volkswagen by the Westfalia coachbuilders.

Some models have optional aluminum alloy "star" wheels. (available at extra expense). Most came with standard black steel wheels with plastic "UFO" wheel covers.

External links

The Definitive Site for Volkswagen Vanagon Information.

Racks and carriers custom made only for the Vanagon

The Vanagon Mailing List Site

VW Bus/Eurovan Repair Shops N. America

Van-Cafe (formerly Volks Cafe), Vanagon parts and service, 15 years experience

The Vanagon Engine Swap Page

The Bus Depot, selling Vanagon Parts

Syncro.org Website

GoWesty, Vanagon Parts and Repairs, specializing in Westfalia Campers

A Collection of Photographs of My '84 1.9 autobox Vanagon

A collection of repair and modification instructions.

Alistair Bell's Vanagon Pages

N. American Road Trip in a Vanagon

Kevin & Heather's Excellent Adventure

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