T3 Syncro vehicle inspection.

1
Tomorrow I'm off to look at a 1986 T3 syncro camper. Can anyone please
give me advice as to look out for in terms of a vehicle of this
age.I'm not a mechanic and I have to inspect the vehicle a few hours
away in the country. With this being one of the first wasserboxer
models, where should I look for coolant leaks. How do I check out for
rust.I've heard something about using a magnet to do this. How can I
check out the condition of the VC. Any help would be greatly
appreciated ASAP.
Regards
Michael
2
Hi Michael,

this is very brief but check the body seams as they often (usually!)
rust.
Sometimes the front sill above the bumper does too.

A quick, but by no means fullproof check of the VC is to drive slowly
and turn the van on full steering lock on a hard standing eg aphalt
or concrete, preferably after driving the bus some kms at highway
type speeds.
When you do this it may feel as if the van wants to pull to a stop,
as if the hand brake is on.
If so, the VC may well be 'tight'.

Unless the bus is low mileage (doubtful unless you have come across a
gem) I would not be too concerned with the VC but allow to spend
another $1000 after (if) you have bought it
and just bank on buying either of a new or recon VC or a decoupler.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
Andy.

CEDUNA SA
3
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ruth & Andy Phillips/Johns
<rafear@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Michael,
>
> this is very brief but check the body seams as they often (usually!)
> rust.
> Sometimes the front sill above the bumper does too.
>
> A quick, but by no means fullproof check of the VC is to drive slowly
> and turn the van on full steering lock on a hard standing eg aphalt
> or concrete, preferably after driving the bus some kms at highway
> type speeds.
> When you do this it may feel as if the van wants to pull to a stop,
> as if the hand brake is on.
> If so, the VC may well be 'tight'.
>
> Unless the bus is low mileage (doubtful unless you have come across a
> gem) I would not be too concerned with the VC but allow to spend
> another $1000 after (if) you have bought it
> and just bank on buying either of a new or recon VC or a decoupler.
>
> Good luck and let us know how you get on.
>
> Cheers,
> Andy.
>
> CEDUNA SA
>
Hi Andy.
Many thanks for the advice .Can you just explain to me more precisely
just what/where are the sill's and seams that rust are located. (I
really am non
mechanical) I'll let you know how it all goes when I return.
Cheers for now
Michael
4
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "evm614" <mrphoto@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ruth & Andy Phillips/Johns
> <rafear@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Michael,
> >
> > this is very brief but check the body seams as they often (usually!)
> > rust.
> > Sometimes the front sill above the bumper does too.
> >
> > A quick, but by no means fullproof check of the VC is to drive
slowly
> > and turn the van on full steering lock on a hard standing eg aphalt
> > or concrete, preferably after driving the bus some kms at highway
> > type speeds.
> > When you do this it may feel as if the van wants to pull to a stop,
> > as if the hand brake is on.
> > If so, the VC may well be 'tight'.
> >
> > Unless the bus is low mileage (doubtful unless you have come
across a
> > gem) I would not be too concerned with the VC but allow to spend
> > another $1000 after (if) you have bought it
> > and just bank on buying either of a new or recon VC or a decoupler.
> >
> > Good luck and let us know how you get on.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Andy.
> >
> > CEDUNA SA
> >
> Hi Andy.
> Many thanks for the advice .Can you just explain to me more precisely
> just what/where are the sill's and seams that rust are located. (I
> really am non
> mechanical) I'll let you know how it all goes when I return.
> Cheers for now
> Michael
>Hi Michael
If this vehicle is the "" private import"" be aware that
it is not common in aus < heat can cause turbo failure > and issues
with ratios <diffs> and power 70kw i think could be of interest to
you as well. good luck
Cheers Pete
5
On 7/31/07, evm614 <mrphoto@iprimus.com.au> wrote:
Tomorrow I'm off to look at a 1986 T3 syncro camper. Can anyone please
give me advice as to look out for in terms of a vehicle of this
age.I'm not a mechanic and I have to inspect the vehicle a few hours
away in the country. With this being one of the first wasserboxer
models, where should I look for coolant leaks. How do I check out for
rust.I've heard something about using a magnet to do this. How can I
check out the condition of the VC. Any help would be greatly
appreciated ASAP.
Regards
Michael
 
Michael,
 
Coolant leaks will be obvious if you leave the camper sitting in place for any period of time. The most common place they leak is just around the thick rubber headgaskets. You would have to crawl under the engine to see that if it's not already leaving puddles on the ground. Impending failure can often be seen as thick white bumps of corrosion in that area. There are so many coolant hoses that the best way to check them out is by simply looking at them. The ends of the plastic pipes that go from front to back have an inner metal liner at the ends which can often corrode. They can sometimes leak right towards the rear as it connects to the hoses to the engine. There is also a plastic T-shaped junction piece which becomes brittle over time. This is on the upper right side of the engine compartment. At any rate, if any if these have failed, look for pools of water under it.=)
 
If your camper is equipped with the rear heater under the bench, check that too. There is a small bleeder valve on that can break easily. If you smell the odor of maple syrup back there, watch out for a leak. That would be coolant you are smelling.
 
As for seam rust, that is again visually obvious. Those are the vertical lines you see at rear just aft of the rear windows. They go from top to bottom then corss another seam just above the bumper line. There is another vertical line at between the side windows and just aft of the front doors. All of these terminate on a horizontal seam at floor level as they meet the rocker panels. The main area that rust in camper is just behind the fill/electrical ports. Condensation forms behind the fridge/galley and collects in the insulation. And as someone else mentioned, the seam is the front bumper area is prone to corrosion as well. Don't forget to look around all the window rubber as any bumps there can be hidden rust.
 
As for checking the VC, it's easier for more to send you to this link:
 
 
Best of luck on your inspection.
 
 
BenT
San Francisco, California