Bostig coolant Temps

[thasty07]

[quote="insyncro"][quote="thasty07"]

[insyncro]

[crazyvwvanman]

Yes, the conversions also use a coolant temp sender for the van's temp gauge but the OBD system doesn't know about that one.

Mark

[WandS]

The hottest my van runs down in florida over the last few years that i have seen is 225 on the Scan Gauge. Cruising on XWay 220 and under in the heat. If the weather is cool 200 to 215.
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85 Westy Weekender with a Bostig Conversion.

[buildyourown]

WRT to PCV hose on the intake manifold:

Mine was collapsing under high vacuum. Looked fine until you hit the gas.
I fixed this by installing a spring inside the tube.

My coolant system is also 100% new as of this spring so I feel like my numbers represent a healthy system.

[insyncro]

[Franagon]

Hey Gang,

I thought I would ping this thread with this question(s):

A lot of good information here. I just had my first start, and I believe I am having the vacuum hose issue happening. I will look closer at that. When I go to rev the engine, it has a signification hesitation, and I have to walk the rpms up. I am glad I found this discussion.

More importantly, how the heck do you add, bleed the coolant system? I had a good method with the WBX with Libby Bong, with bleeder open in the front while running, and that seemed to work well. Bostig does not mention that. I don't see any other way to get water to run up hill The snag I noticed, if using this technique, is the fill tower is eclipsed by the engine compartment opening. I was thinking of making a spacer, to space this out from the passenger side for this reason. I did some searching, but could not find much. I may ping the RG6 thread as well. Thanks again all, Fran
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84 Westy Wolfsburg Manual - RG6 Bostig

[buildyourown]

[jimf909]

[Franagon]

Thanks buildyourown,

I just like to ask around when I am attempting to do things outside of the Bostig manual. In this case, did not expect to do anything that different for burping the system. Still have to get the fill point higher, I was just not sure about running the engine with that set up. I will get it on ramps this week and jack from the cradle if I need more height. I measured about 12" difference from fill tower to rad bleeder. I may also make a different 'bong' for the back, for something I can have for roadside on long trips. (It's kind of flat around here ) I finally learned all I needed to from having my 1.9. Good thing I already replaced a lot of the cooling system through that venture, so I didn't have to deal with an old radiator, etc.

Thanks once again for the reassurance!
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84 Westy Wolfsburg Manual - RG6 Bostig

[Franagon]

Just a report back... I did some more coolant burping last night then my idle datalog. I still have a little air in that I will get out. I found that once I got the rear of my van on ramps, the rad bleeder got closer to the ground as the rear went up, so the rad bleed was lower than the fill point. I think I took in almost another gallon. I still bled a little more air out when the engine was up to temp at the rad bleed screw.

Anyone have any info on the spring for the vacuum hose going to the PCV valve/crank breather? I noticed mine, it looks like someone put on a plastic (or hard rubber) 90 degree fitting off the intake and hose from there. Just go to a hardware store with the hose and try to find something?

Once I checked my datalog myself, I decided to do a little drive since my coolant temps looked good, fan coming on, etc. Either things are still not tuned very well or I expected too much from this transformation. I really hate to say it, but I was not too impressed. I came from a 1.9 WBX as well, so that should be a pretty substantial difference. Just different power delivery or something? I guess I need to remember my goal was reliability and a little more umph for the hills.
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84 Westy Wolfsburg Manual - RG6 Bostig

[Reck]

Franagan, thanks for your coolant comments. I'm nearing switch-on and was starting to review the coolant bleeding issues, having read that it's tricky. I also wound up with some new heater hose fairly high above the trans, slightly higher than the Zetec thermostat, and wondered if I'd created a problem for myself. Time will tell. It sounds like persistence is key, and that it's never a one-step deal.

Sorry to hear you are underwhelmed by the driving feel. My own expectations are modest as well, but I do expect a bit more liveliness. Water boxer 1.9 specs are hard to pin down, but something like 84 hp @ 4300 and 115 ft/lbs @ 3200. Bostig's quoted Zetec specs are 130 hp @ 5300 and 135 ft/lbs @ 4000. From these, I'm certainly expecting to feel a bump. But it definitely comes at a whole other rpm level. If you drive at the "old" rpms it would probably feel very similar. Maybe you're being a little tentative with it. Have you sent your read-outs to Jim?

[buildyourown]

The torque of the Zetec does come on slower than the WBX. It makes less torque at 2000rpm. Which makes it feel a little slow off the line especially if you are loaded.
However, where the WBX needs to be shifted at 4k, the Zetec pulls hard to 5 and 6k. It feels pretty comfortable to climb in 3rd at 5k and you dont have to be worried about overheating or throwing a rod.

[Reck]

Buildyourown, that's about what I've been expecting. I do like to get off on logging roads and the like and I've been wondering if I'll miss the torque at the very lowest speeds for picking one's way up a rock-strewn incline. If so, I doubt it'll be a big deal but can imagine a little extra clutch-slipping. I imagine I'll find it a reasonable trade off for having some highway speed again.
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'84 Westy 2wd, TBD, Bostig RG4 completed 9/16.

[JudoJeff]

If power is not what you expected, two possible causes: vacuum leak, or firing on only three cylinders.
I'm assuming throttle is WOT when fully depressing the gas pedal....
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[Franagon]

Hunh, interesting. I always shifted my WBX 1.9 at about 5k RPM. Not sure it would go anywhere if I didn't! Well and my tach isn't working, so I don't really know an RPM reference. Good thoughts JudoJeff on the vac leaks and the firing of all the cylinders. It 'sounds' like it is firing on all. I think harder to tell on an I4 than the opposed piston 4 cyl. I am 98% sure on the throttle cable and setting that. On my 10 mile test drive I don't think I ever had the pedal floored, due to a habit driving my 1.9 I suppose. Had someone help me on pressing the gas pedal, etc. Spent a decent amount of time on that. Hmmmm, vacuum leak, that could be a possibility I suppose. I have seen the threads here on how to check for that. Interesting thought. I thought I was getting close, but I am feeling that slip away. Had some datalogging issues and I think my tuner is toast. "Error 10007" Oh, yes, I assumed my WBX to be an 84 whopping hp out of the box. At best I was pushing 80 hp. I had to admit it did quite well on many occasions on flat ground. $8 - $9k and another 50 hp, would seem real noticeable! Well, it cranks and idles in my driveway better than my WBX ever did, so I guess I am moving forward. Thanks all for the comments, always very appreciated!
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84 Westy Wolfsburg Manual - RG6 Bostig

[CampWesty]