We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
Les
We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
Les
We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
Les
(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW. This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it. Les.)
G'day Les
I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems
to be working O.K. I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)
The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's
what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for
the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm
looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full
set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors
and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.
So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time
to look at the front end and the duco.
Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to
have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to
allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of
my Syncros. Has anybody else?
I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set
of 15" rims.
They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range
Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them
gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110
and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires
scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home
on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any
more!
When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I
realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home
slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned another
lesson.
The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his
own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to
be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they
were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made
some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?
Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the
Cookbundoon
Ranges , just out of Goulburn, to check
out some ruins. We travelled in his new Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle
- quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran over a few windfalls and dead branches,
as you do, and thought nothing of it until we got out and noticed that the plastic
trims around his wheel arches had been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops!
It never would have happened in the Syncro!
My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as
we're heading up to the Abercrombie
River National
Park next weekend, looking for the remains of the
childhood home of a famous bushranger.
I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another
notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle',
[which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley
for a surname]?
Cheers, Beetle.
(I wouldn’t describe the other Roger ( Bell ) as notorious by any means. he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above. I don’t think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger – but using one’s proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event. Les.)
This is re-posted from the rvtravelau group. I have never heard this before but it could well be worth adding a small container of pepper to the tool kit.
Les
Hi John,
One of the best emergency radiator repairs kits going is the small plastic
container of black pepper. I think it's the Saxa brand one.
Once the pepper gets to the hole in the radiator it seals it up and sets like
concrete. Need to keep the pressure off for a while whilst it sets
though.
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it 1st hand myself with my own
eyes.
I used to help on the Careflight Ventures on their rallies (bash's) - a
friend of mine used to organise it all, he now does it for Telstra Childflight,
and we used to go out and survey the courses and then do pre trip checks to
make sure all was in order etc and then run the 'Venture' after that.
Anyway one day we were in his Nissan Patrol in the middle of nowhere when we
holed the radiator. He got the pepper out poured about a tablespoon in
and let it work its way through and lo and behold I watched the leak slowly
ease up to a very slight trickle and then completely stop. We travelled
another 5 days like that before we got home and he had it repaired - never
leaked a drop throughout this whole time before we got home after putting the
pepper in.
He told me a story of one of the competitors on the rallies, who had an old HR
Holden and had the same problem with their radiator - put the pepper in and had
it in there for over 2 years and was as good as the day he bought it - not a
leak to be found. BTW both these guys are mechanics too.
Surprising how good these little 'bush' remedies are.
Regards
Pete
G’day BEETLE,
Yes, my 1989 DOKA had the spacers fitted and still has.
Thank you for your report, great work, fun to read. Hartmut
PS why not join us on our way to MEL !?
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 10:17 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW. This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it. Les.)
G'day Les
I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems to
be working O.K. I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)
The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's
what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for
the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm
looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full
set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors
and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.
So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time
to look at the front end and the duco.
Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to
have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to
allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of
my Syncros. Has anybody else?
I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set
of 15" rims.
They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range
Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them
gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110
and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires
scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home
on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any
more!
When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I
realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home
slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned
another lesson.
The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his
own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to
be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they
were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made
some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?
Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the Cookbundoon
Ranges, just out of Goulburn, to check out some ruins. We travelled in his new
Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle - quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran
over a few windfalls and dead branches, as you do, and thought nothing of it
until we got out and noticed that the plastic trims around his wheel arches had
been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops! It never would have happened in the
Syncro!
My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as
we're heading up to the Abercrombie River National Park next weekend, looking
for the remains of the childhood home of a famous bushranger.
I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another
notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle',
[which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley
for a surname]?
Cheers, Beetle.
(I wouldn’t describe the other Roger (Bell) as notorious by any means. he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above. I don’t think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger – but using one’s proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event. Les.)
----- Original Message -----From: Les HarrisSent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:17 AMSubject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
(Reposted from Roger Bayley in Goulburn, NSW. This is an excellent report and I would like to see more like it. Les.)
G'day Les
I'm still getting mail from the group - 3 more arrived yesterday - so it seems to be working O.K. I'll let you know if I have any problems. (This refers to a Yahoo problem.)
The Syncro is still soldiering on after seven years of being ignored. That's what you get for being reliable. The spare engine is in the shed waiting for the new heads to be bolted on. Adrian Muller did up the trannie for me - I'm looking forward to having the diff lock back in the van. I've collected a full set of new coolant hoses, and even picked up a brand new set of fuel injectors and hoses and new CV joints and gaiters.
So the old girl is about a have a full organ transplant. Then it will be time to look at the front end and the duco.
Speaking of CV joints, I notice in the manual that the Syncro is supposed to have a spacer fitted between the CV joint and the output flange, presumably to allow for more axle articulation and 'droop'. I've never seen one on either of my Syncros. Has anybody else?
I'm waiting for the BF Goodrich's to finally wear out so that I can go to a set of 15" rims.
They are an incredibly tough tyre - I just turfed out the ones on my Range Rover after ten years; they had lasted through four vehicles before one of them gave up the ghost after hauling a road train of fully loaded Landrovers - a 110 and a 130 - up "the Staircase" on the Deddick fire trail. The tires scrabbled for about 200 metres. One of the rears de-laminated on the way home on the freeway - a serious vibration warned me that the tyre wasn't round any more!
When I went to replace the Sunraysia wheel with the spare, [a factory mag] I realised that I didn't have a set of mag wheel nuts, so we had to drive home slowly on the wobbly tyre. It took a while, but we made it, and I learned another lesson.
The tyre salesman tried to talk me out of buying another set [in favour of his own brand] because he claims that Goodrich "aren't what they used to be" since being taken over by Michelin. When pressed, he stated that they were difficult to keep in balance. I told him to take a rain check while I made some enquiries before ordering. Have you heard anything negative about them?
Last week I took an archaeologist up the old 1820 convict built road over the Cookbundoon Ranges , just out of Goulburn, to check out some ruins. We travelled in his new Landrover Discovery. Beautiful vehicle - quiet, powerful and luxurious. We ran over a few windfalls and dead branches, as you do, and thought nothing of it until we got out and noticed that the plastic trims around his wheel arches had been shattered by a few dry sticks. Whoops! It never would have happened in the Syncro!
My job this weekend is to slide out the seats and make up a bed platform as we're heading up to the Abercrombie River National Park next weekend, looking for the remains of the childhood home of a famous bushranger.
I've noticed that you have another member named Roger who seems like another notorious character. Would it save confusion if I called myself 'Beetle', [which is what you get when you've got a shed full of Volkswagens and Bayley for a surname]?
Cheers, Beetle.
(I wouldnt describe the other Roger ( Bell ) as notorious by any means. he has been a mainstay member for a long time and I would like to see you become the same via more reports like to one above. I dont think that any confusion will arise between the Bayley Roger and the Bell Roger but using ones proper name, as many of us do, resolves that in any event. Les.)
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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I would love to have a shed with toys in it like you have but only have room for a syncro and a 71 deluxe microbus and that's about it - they are not small vehicles.Scott,
----- Original Message -----From: BenT SyncroSent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:15 PMSubject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
I would love to have a shed with toys in it like you have but only have room for a syncro and a 71 deluxe microbus and that's about it - they are not small vehicles.Scott,The T3 Syncro might appear to be a large vehicle but they have a rather small footprint. I've found my Syncro to be only some 5"-6" longer than my girlfriend's 2-door 1993 Honda Civic EX.One time, I was in a rush to find parking at the nearby Oakland (California) Airport parking lot. Saw a late 90's Japanese sedan pulling out of a spot. As I proceeded to park, the lot attendant came rushing out with arms flailing all the while yelling, "Too big! Too big!" I told him my Syncro wasn't any longer than the Honda Accord that just left. To which he said, "Man, if you can prove that, you park for free." I yank the steering wheel; hit the gas; screeched into the spot. The look of horror and dismay disappeared from his face because he clearly saw how much longer the Toyota Camry was next to me. "You won't me again with that trick. OK, you park free this time."A month later, I was at the same carpark with a different attendant. The first came running out yelling, "No! No!" He was too late. I got to park free again. I used that place a lot. I've been paying ever since but not without a shake of the head everytime they see me coming.T3's are so nice compact that I kept several in my collection for years.Cheers,BenTSent from my mobile device
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.42/2473 - Release Date: 10/31/09 21:14:00
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@...> wrote:
>
> We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in Victoria and we have eight Syncros
> attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that
> we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
>
>
>
> Les
>
On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 3:36 AM, Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com> wrote:
Ben,Mine was OK before it received a large alloy bull bar and then a wheel carrier complete with a big ass tyre. This makes it difficult to get around -adds about a foot and a half at each end (3 foot extra all up). This would probably bring it up to Camry size.The other problem is the syncro's height - with a pop-top roof it cant get under a 2.1m clearance any more and needs 2.25m before it fits. The boss gets annoyed with shopping trips as we have to walk in from the outer (uncovered car parks). At least the syncro fits (just) in my garage - I had to alter my garage to make it work though - Raised the lintel height at the entry to maximum and then I dug out the floor and lowered the floor to suit.You cant leave vehicles this good out in the weather to rot - especially living right on the east coast of Oz - everything rusts - rapidly.I have seen what happens to T3 busses out in the weather - there is a T3 panel van 2wd that is a surf school vehicle @ Bondi Beach in Sydney and it is destroyed by rust along gutters, around the windscreen, back window front side windows, seams, sills - everywhere!Cheers,ScottScott,You certainly sound like a dedicated Syncro enthusiast, if modified your stationary home to accommodate your house on wheels. ;-)My T3's all sit outside in sunny California and do not have serious corrosion issues. However, just 1-2kms away, my lone T3 Syncro Doka parked INSIDE a well vented garage rotted. That extra kilometer or two keeps the salt from the Pacific at bay (no pun intended).BenT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Garratt " <unclekenz@hotmail.com>
To: <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 8:48 AM
Subject: FW: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
> Gday Scott,
> Eat your heart out!
> Your better half can come shopping in my Trakka via Erina Fair or Gosford
> underground carparks anytime she likes ok ... No worries! Haha.
> Cheers.
> Ken
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mr Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@bigpond.com>
> Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 10:36 PM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
>
>
>
> [The entire original message is not included]
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.42/2473 - Release Date: 10/31/09
21:14:00
Mark,
One place reserved for whichever you bring.
Les
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of mark
Sent: 01 November 2009 22:50
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re:
DOTVW Victoria
Hi Les
Im not sure if the 16'' doka will be there it is in the workshop getting the
gearbox done. Will let you know asap if it will happen
Regards Mark
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com,
" Les Harris "
<leslieharris@ ...> wrote:
>w:st="on">Victoria and we have eight Syncros
> We have two weeks to the Day of the VW in
> attending. Do we have any more planning to come? We need to know so that
> we can plan the use of our allocated Syncro space.
>
>
>
> Les
>
Hi BEETLE, can’t give you an answer to your first question ‘cause I never knowingly have driven one without spacers. Installing a new complete side shaft Front right today, I think I would have been hard pressed to pull it to length without the spacer. I don’t think I would have gotten it in.
As I had the DOKA on tressels when trying to loosen the centre nut I found the only worthwile purpose for my ventilated disks being the receptible for a strong screwdriver to keep the wheel from turning. Also when fixing the inner VC this came in handy especially when working with a click wrench .
Getting the Seikels out and refitting my , now stretched, originals is a power act I don’t want to have to do in a hurry again....especially so when you are doing the HUMAN FACTORS course and you are
Becoming aware what can happen if a coil spring tensioner lets go and the thing jumps into your face.... Try and avoid the experience.
Fuel smell : Some years back , coming home from gliding champs with my daughter, towing the caravan, having just refuelled at Tamworth ,travelling uphill 2500ft over +- 4km, and coming out on top, we were engulfed in fuel smell, real bad. We stopped, I heard a hissing noise, petrol all over the place from a pressurised fuel tank. We were very lucky. I remember taking the filler cap off and going home without it. Later I found an orifice being blocked. I found this in the Bentleys, since than I have a vacuum in the tank when I open it after a longish drive.
You would poss have perished fuel hoses, perished maybe from Ethanol? Who knows, with all the sh they are mixing into the juice these days..... Hartmut
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gullyraker@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2009 11:16 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Syncro report
G'day
Hartmut -
have you noticed any advantage from having the CV spacers fitted? I guess the
only way to test them would be on an articulation ramp, or in a real-world
situation when your Doka is pitted against a similarly set-up vehicle without
them.
I'm thinking that if that they are either intended to increase wheel
travel, or reduce damage to the CV's at maximum droop, or maybe both. What do
you reckon?
Thanks for the invite to Melbourne, but I don't think the old girl is up
to a long trip before the total organ transplant. After a posted the last
message bragging how reliable the car was, we went for a Sunday drive to Wee
Jasper. When we got home I noticed a strong smell of petrol. It made me nervous
enough to park it up until I have time to have a look under the engine lid.
My old Sunday School teacher always said "pride cometh before a
fall." I should have taken her advice.
About a year ago I noticed the same smell, and replaced the fuel supply
hose in the engine compartment which was perished and squirting petrol all over
the distributor. Scary.
It must be a common problem, because Van Cafe markets a replacement kit.
I bought some new fuel-injection hose from the local car accessory shop, [a
nation-wide chain], and ran it through a sleeve to protect it from chafing, but
my mate Eddie's experience makes me suspect that the new hose might have
perished too.
After I told Eddie he decided to replace the hose in his '84 Caravelle
as well. He bought similar hose from the same shop. A month later his missus
mentioned a strong smell of petrol. He checked it out, and the new hose was
perished! We ordered a genuine Bosch fuel-injector kit from Tooleys, which
included all the hoses and fittings as well. Not only did it cure Eddie's body
odour, but the old 1.9 now flies up Catherine Hill in top gear.
I guess by now you'll all be out lifting up your engine lids.
Anyway, the scariest thing about it is that I will have to rely on the
old Range Rover to get me to work for a few days.
Cheers, Beetle.
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Gullyraker@... wrote:
>
> G'day Hartmut;
> You're last message has given me food for thought.
> I'll have to track down some spacers or have some made up, and measure the
> wheel travel before and after.
>
> Just a couple of questions though; 1. how thick are the spacers?
>
> 2. are they the same
> thickness on front and rear axles?
>
> 3. are they simply a
> ring, or do they have grooves machined into them for the CV balls to travel in?
>
> Your mention of drilled or slotted disc rotors interests me. Have you
> fitted aftermarket rotors, or "big brakes"?
>
> As for the petrol fumes, I couldn't see any obvious sign of leaks so the
> blocked vent may be a possibility worth exploring. The fumes were particularly
> noticeable after a two hour drive through the mountains and along the
> freeway.
>
>
> Cheers, Beetle.
>
Nick, my DOKA came into the country with 2 lock diffs, however I have only spacers fitted to the front , not the rear . Have not got my Bentley here, but I believe spacers are only shown for the front axle. Quite possible my rear spacers disappeared over the years, as I had sold the car for a few years before I bought it back (my missus did !).............Ha
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of nickbellau
Sent: Tuesday, 3 November 2009 6:05 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Syncro report
I was under the impression that the spacers were only used on the CV's on diffs
/ transaxles without a difflock as the difflock componentry sticks out further
and takes up the extra space. I know I have them on my diffs as neither of them
are locking types.That may explain why they are on some and not others. But I
would strongly recommend someone comfirming or disproving it by looking in
Bently and comparing the two diff types. Sorry to throw another spanner into
the works.
Nick B
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com,
Gullyraker@... wrote:
>travel in?
> G'day Hartmut;
> You're last message has given me food for thought.
> I'll have to track down some spacers or have some made up, and measure the
> wheel travel before and after.
>
> Just a couple of questions though; 1. how thick are the spacers?
>
> 2. are they the same
> thickness on front and rear axles?
>
> 3. are they simply a
> ring, or do they have grooves machined into them for the CV balls to
>particularly
> Your mention of drilled or slotted disc rotors interests me. Have you
> fitted aftermarket rotors, or "big brakes"?
>
> As for the petrol fumes, I couldn't see any obvious sign of leaks so the
> blocked vent may be a possibility worth exploring. The fumes were
> noticeable after a two hour drive through the mountains and along the
> freeway.
>
>
> Cheers, Beetle.
>
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