Summary of recent projects on my 1993 Eurovan

Busy time as I've been prepping for an upcoming trip.  It was just a few weeks ago that I was had a conversation with a good friend that has a Vanagon Westy Weekender.  We were talking about our vans (mine is a 1993 Eurovan Westy Weekender).  He talked about how much he loved his van and how he plans to keep it forever.  I love my van too... and after thinking about it, I hope I can keep mine forever.
I had been putting off some investments into my van because, until that conversation and the subsequent conscious choice to keep it, I thought maybe I'd sell it... thus, I'd been putting off some maintenance and upgrades.
Well with my new attitude and commitment, here is a summary of recently finished projects.
- New 16" wheels (upgrade from 15")
- New Poptop seal from GoWesty
- New Bilstein Sport shocks (from GoWesty, replaced completely useless/destroyed shocks)
- Repaired a large tear in my Poptop (casualty from my friends' kids during a surf camp trip, California Surf Tours)
- New battery monitors for main and house (simple cigarette lighter method, with dongle lead for house)
- Placed kitchen drawer mats in storage areas to reduce clutter noise
- Adjusted doors to close tighter
- Glued some loose moldings
- Major service (timing, pumps, serpentine)
- Replaced faulty AC high/low pressure switch
- Tried to charge AC, but likely air in system, so took to a shop where they evacuated it and charged about 1lb with dye, likely some small leaks and will follow up
- Hung some small cargo nets inside
- Troubleshot a cabin light, ended up just being a look connection

AC high/low pressure switch from PartsGeek.com

Cleaning the area around the poptop seal

Front shock plate assembly

Old shocks that were completely worthless

VagCom scan on my Eurovan

This past Sunday, I met with a VW genius to talk shop and scan my 1993 Eurovan with the VagCom diagnostic tool.

I had some concerns about a recent service and the readiness of my Eurovan for an upcoming trip.  We hooked up the scanner OBD1 attachment to the fuse box area and started the software on the laptop.  The software detected the VIN and ECU model.  We then began to look for fault codes and engine performance stats (like idle RPM, throttle body angle, etc.).  All of this information can be saved to a log for later review.

Everything checked out OK, and then the two of us took test drives in each others EVs.  I immediately noticed that his hard top Eurovan had less interior noises/rattle and his suspension was much tighter/responsive (his EV has the Bilstein HDs).

I am very thankful that we had a chance to meet, and I feel more confident to take my EV on my next road trip.  I'm even going to try to swap out the shocks before I depart.

Service performed on EV

Timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt, coolant water pump, coolant temperature sensors all done in a recent service at VW Paradise / Paradise Motorsports.

I also did a fuel system cleaning service and a compression test (all within spec).

I had a slow coolant leak that they said was fixed.  I'm also hoping that my EV mpg increases.  It definitely seems like it is running smoother.  Also got an oil change and gave the EV a quick wax.