re: Vanagon Syndrome solution on eBay

Welcome back Peter and ALL,
 
Since my last post on this topic, I have renovated Yuriks AFM that I bought from him as a backup (and added the 22 uF cap) and installed it instead to check it for functionality. I also wanted to try it without an AFM harness attachment, so that's removed again. All I've done so far is driven locally with no failure to date, touch wood. I need more time and kilometres to see how things go. Needless to say, the AFM harness attachment is there onboard ready to fit, should things suddenly go awry.
So the bottom line is, I now have 2 equally renovated AFM's, the first difference I can detect is some different comparative resistance values at the 11 points on the board. But from my testing, the resistance values obtained at each point merely reflects the downwards pressure and hence better/worse conductivity present at each point between the swinging arm and the board. One only has to apply slight pressure on the arm to see the values change. The second difference is that with my AFM fitted, I had the vanagon syndrome event, whereas so far (but needs more trialling), Yuriks hasn't failed yet.
 
A couple of other related matters I can report while I'm back on this topic ......
 
The hard plastic cover on top of the AFM that has to be prised off to get at the inner workings as per Peters detailed instructions in the files section .... well should you find the plastic edging is split/separating as a consequence of prising it off, fear not, there is an excellent repair solution.
 
Go buy from Repco a product called "QBond", follow the instructions and your plastic cover will look and perform and be able to be resealed in place again like new. Unbelievable but true. This product has many uses around our vans, for example .... those who have the aftermarket Prestige air conditioner system ... the above dash a/c unit has a moulded black plastic cover with the louvres in it. Take a close look at each vertical corner of that cover, you will probably find they are all splitting badly. Now with some experimenting and developing your repair technique, all those splits can be restored using QBond, trim/sand back the repairs, a touch of black paint and it's virtually as good as new again.
 
For those who have the AFM harness attachment, go take a look at it. You'll probably find the larger rubber boot is starting to split or is by now totally disintegrated, exposing the innards to the elements, dust etc.
 
Using a 2 pack rubberised 2 pack epoxy called "HK Epoxy", I built over the top of the old boot a new boot, I moulded it so it extends past both zip ties at either end of the boot. Fully sealed now and is also flexible, white in colour so it matches my van .. haha
 
Oh and the HK Epoxy can be used to reseal the AFM plastic cover back on ... no need to use silicone ... silicone is way to hard to get off (and damage the cover again) should it need to come off later. HK Epoxy is just the best product almost anywhere a water seal is needed, either on the job, in and around your home or syncro .... guaranteed 
 
Cheers.
 
Ken

--- On Fri, 8/5/09, Peter <kestel.p@bigpond.com> wrote:

From: Peter <kestel.p@bigpond.com>
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Vanagon Syndrome solution on eBay
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Received: Friday, 8 May, 2009, 2:01 PM

Hi Ken

Just back from 2 weeks working. Noted your experience with 22 uF cap not working to cure the vanagon syndrome. It may well have worked if you used a bigger cap ie: 47uF! ALso there are other possibilities like a high resistance connection that was cured when you put on the harness attachment.

Regards

Peter

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@. ..> wrote:
>
> What you say is the generally accepted/official understanding of vanagon syndrome. But in my case, it is not true.
>
> My syncro has never had the AFM harness attachment fix in 192,000 klms over 19 years.
>
> When it happened to me, the "long highway miles" I did at the time amounted to about 16 klms locally prior to my very first and surprising loss of engine power event.
>
> Naturally I tried first adding the 22 microfarad tantalum capacitor 16vdc to the AFM but to no avail. Power loss simply re-occurred each time I drove say less than 10klms.
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> Then I fitted the AFM harness attachment .... fixed the problem straight away.
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> So much for the official theorising.
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> But I'm very happy its fixed and recently did 2260klms out western and north/western NSW without a problem.
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> Should someone now rewrite the official theory on vanagon syndrome?
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> I also believe, anyone who doesn't yet have the AFM fix attachment fitted, it will only be a matter of time before the problem commences (as in my case), most likely due to wear and tear, old age etc., of the AFM.
>
> Ken
>
> --- On Sun, 26/4/09, plander@... <plander@... > wrote:
>
> From: plander@... <plander@... >
> Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Re: Vanagon Syndrome solution on eBay
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
> Received: Sunday, 26 April, 2009, 6:48 PM
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> It's really only Australia & parts of the US that need it.
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> Peter's DIY capacitor method is probably as good as anything. (and cheap)
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> Enjoy a safer web experience. Upgrade to the new Internet Explorer 8 optimised for Yahoo!7. Get it now.
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Chat right from the comfort of your inbox. Show me how..
Hi Ken
many thanks for inviting me to join you and to show me where to go and not to go! Im no technocrat and my Garmin has found that out too and I have to suffer for it! I'm excited to meet you all at Wisemans can't wait to become enlightend about AFMs?? (Automatic Freqency Modulation ???) Microfarads and anything inbetween. When reading my daily dose of T3 correspondence I' feel ashamed that my Tristar has to sleep outside in all weather and not inside in the warm lounge. Mine has done close to 400 000 kms and when a few years ago it startet to get the dreaded Syncro Flu my mechanic after much experimenting investet in 4 gaskets for the injectors. That was some 2 years ago. Other than that, I had to get a new fuel pump, a new cap for the coolant expansion tank, and thats it. The gearbox though thats another story only been told after 4 glasses of Merlot or NZ Sauvignon Blanc! (I shall bring the stuff along ) . The tristar is pretty much standard with the exception of a few mods like Seickel suspension springs, OME shocks, 16in Merc rims ET 31, Audi discs front/rear, decoupler and thats it I think. What I bring to the weekend is my work vehicle for 19 years, my trusting , much loved VW TRISTAR,     Counting the sleeps!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hartmut

 




 


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Find car news, reviews and more Looking to change your car this year?
Oh dear.  After reminding everyone to change the subject line, look who didn't change the subject line....
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Les Harris
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] ETKA download

There has been no mention of the weekend away.  Did you all exhaust yourselves or are you all still lounging around in Sackville?
 
Les
 

Hi Les

We had a great time! about 10 Syncros, 3 Dual Cabs - all good!

Will get a gallery of images up soon

Regards
Mark.

On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 9:15 AM, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:


Oh dear. After reminding everyone to change the subject line, look who didn't change the subject line....
----- Original Message -----
From: Les Harris
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] ETKA download

There has been no mention of the weekend away. Did you all exhaust yourselves or are you all still lounging around in Sackville?
Les