Travelling Essentials

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me some advice on what to take as emergency spares when on the open road for the next 2 weeks. The service is due in another 3oookm, all seems pretty good engine wise at the moment. Do you top the cooling system up with H2O or coolant when on the go? Ive had the syncro for 2 months and am learning about this great machine all the time. This bloke told me at the servo the other day that Im meant to hear the tappets chatting away. He says the motor is too quiet. Is this true for the waterboxer or should I be doing a tappet clearance check before I go. Appologies for not being at Old Bar. The next meet is on my time planner. Have a good one

Dave
oh man ..
if it's a normal waterpower engine,
with hydraulic lifters, no , you should not hear them clattering.
 
it's normal for them to clatter a little after having the van sit for a while...say two weeks.
No big deal. Sometimes a hydraulic lifter cleaner treatment is appropriate in the  oil.
 
but what is normal....is no lifter clatter at all.
If you have stock hyd. lifters.....the bloke doesn't know what he's talking about.
 
Probably thinking of old air-cooled Bus and Bug engines with solid lifters..
and if those are 'too quiet' .......that can indicate they are too tight, and that IS a real problem.
I'll bet a pint he didn't ever realize you engine is water-cooled.
 
you should carry a jug of 50/50 anti-frz/water mix  ..
well marked of course...to add coolant as needed.
It shouldn't really use any ..
though often they use a little out of the license plate bottle gradually..
like a cup or two in say 3 or 4 weeks.
that's common......but they really should not 'use' a drop of coolant.
 
Get a copy of the Bentley manual for T3 VW vans ..
and read the rocker arm screw adjustment procedure ...
so you know about it.
That is only done on a newly assembled engine...and follow up on a new engine after say 500 miles..
'normally'.....
you never have to adjust the rocker arm screws.
Where the book says  '1 1/2 turns after contact' ......
some engine builders say only 1/2 turn.
I probably do them to 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn , after rocker arm contact valve stem..
And seldom ever find a need to, and I work on T3 vans exclusively full time.  Dozens and dozens a year.
 
Usually, you never need to do it.
They do get clattery sometimes..
firing up the van to move it 50 feet ...then shut it off..
do that 4 times in a row..and sometimes that'll get the lifters clattering for a while.
 
good clean oil is the main requirement that hyd. lifters have.
 
Be careful about what you hear out there.
Good o' ya to check in here on the list ..
to help keep you on track..  ...........to Syncro Success !
 
Scott
Oregon, USA
 
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:08 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Travelling Essentials

 

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me some advice on what to take as emergency spares when on the open road for the next 2 weeks. The service is due in another 3oookm, all seems pretty good engine wise at the moment. Do you top the cooling system up with H2O or coolant when on the go? Ive had the syncro for 2 months and am learning about this great machine all the time. This bloke told me at the servo the other day that Im meant to hear the tappets chatting away. He says the motor is too quiet. Is this true for the waterboxer or should I be doing a tappet clearance check before I go. Appologies for not being at Old Bar. The next meet is on my time planner. Have a good one

Dave

David,

You will probably get a shoal of advice on this but key parts to carry always (not just for trips) are a spare belt for the alternator/coolant pump and a spare belt for the power steering pump, along with spare coolant.

In general, it is rare to find a service station attendant, real estate salesman or nuclear physicist who knows much about the Syncro.   This group is your technical advice resource.

Les

 


From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of David
Sent: 28 September 2011 08:08
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Travelling Essentials

 

 

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me some advice on what to take as emergency spares when on the open road for the next 2 weeks. The service is due in another 3oookm, all seems pretty good engine wise at the moment. Do you top the cooling system up with H2O or coolant when on the go? Ive had the syncro for 2 months and am learning about this great machine all the time. This bloke told me at the servo the other day that Im meant to hear the tappets chatting away. He says the motor is too quiet. Is this true for the waterboxer or should I be doing a tappet clearance check before I go. Appologies for not being at Old Bar. The next meet is on my time planner. Have a good one

Dave

Thanks for tips
Cheers Dave
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Les Harris" <leslieharris@...> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> You will probably get a shoal of advice on this but key parts to carry
> always (not just for trips) are a spare belt for the alternator/coolant pump
> and a spare belt for the power steering pump, along with spare coolant.
>
> In general, it is rare to find a service station attendant, real estate
> salesman or nuclear physicist who knows much about the Syncro. This group
> is your technical advice resource.
>
> Les
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David
> Sent: 28 September 2011 08:08
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Travelling Essentials
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Guys,
>
> Can anyone give me some advice on what to take as emergency spares when on
> the open road for the next 2 weeks. The service is due in another 3oookm,
> all seems pretty good engine wise at the moment. Do you top the cooling
> system up with H2O or coolant when on the go? Ive had the syncro for 2
> months and am learning about this great machine all the time. This bloke
> told me at the servo the other day that Im meant to hear the tappets
> chatting away. He says the motor is too quiet. Is this true for the
> waterboxer or should I be doing a tappet clearance check before I go.
> Appologies for not being at Old Bar. The next meet is on my time planner.
> Have a good one
>
> Dave
>