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Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:04 am

So we bought a 95 rialta. High miles, good price and a strong runner. I figured it was worth the risk. We've put a couple thousand miles on it, and it is nice! But I'm really surprised about how many differences between the model years. Ours has the AAF engine, the 098 transmission. The N80 valve, should we replace instead of cleaning, is apparently one that fits a jaguar. The transmission takes dextron fluid. Scan gauges can't read it, VW dealership doesn't "recognize" the vin.
This has taken a lot of finding out, and I'm sure it's just beginning! It is an oddball vehicle for sure.

Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:10 pm

all I can speak to are the Eurovan full campers outfitted by winnebago -- but it sounds like the drivetrain is different even from that. so all i can speak to is build quality:

For the most part, it seems Winnebago was using much better plastics in 1995 than they did in later years and I've found that the 95 full campers hold up better than even 2003 campers do in terms of color fading, cracks, etc. I also like the older trim on the actual VW part of the van as well -- having an actual glove box (which the 97 and up vans don't have) is solid as is the 'tray' above the glove box.

Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:17 pm

Debbie,
I also own a 95 Rialta RC Double. I've owned every generation of VW bus, including two Westy campers. The Rialta cruises similar to the waterboxer Vanagon, but is a bit slower on hills/grades due to 8ts weight.

I intentionally shopped for a 95 or 96, because I was looking for the smallest one I could get with a full bath - it came down to these or the oldrr, worse-underpowered Toyota min-RVs. When they went to the VR6 engine in 97, they made the Riala longer and heavier - losing much of the potential increase inperformance. So, the engine got even bigger, more complex, and more expensive.

IMO, the I5 is a batter overall engine for this application, if you learn to live with it's limitations, and learn to cruise at 62-65 mph, running 3250-3500 RPM. You'll get 16-20 mpg, based on terrain and winds. Importantly to me, the 95 and 96 models are cheaper to buy, easier to work on, and cheaper to repair/maintain. You just can't cruise at 70mph like the later 201hp VR6s - but I' m used to that with VW busses...

Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:19 pm

Thanks for the response, much appreciated and agreed with. I do have a question for you. We get higher RPMs than you mention, and I've been concerned about it. My Jetta is at 3500 RPMs at 75, but the rialta is at 4000 RPMs at 65. The sales brochure for that year shows a "graph" showing that as normal, but I find it hard to believe. I'd like to know why they are so high, and if I worry needlessly.
The graph-

Thu Jul 23, 2015 5:44 am

What that graph shows me is that the engineers designed the Rialta engine to be a free breathing engine capable of high RPMs, but with a relatively flat torque curve and lower compression to get that broad power range. It probably has a lower lift , yet longer duration cam, so that it can breath at higher RPMs, yet operate cooler with more versatility and responseivenrss on regular 87 octane. The free-revving, free-breathing engine, gives you a steep HP curve to accelerate this heavy thing and get it up to cruising speed, in addition to responsiveness after downshifting such as when downshifting to climb a steep grade, while the broad torque curve helps to maintain the speed with minimal downshifting required. It also shows the "sweet spot" at the intersection of the torque and HP curves, and slightly to the right of there. That's where your best efficiency (highest mpg) will happen.

What has me puzzled with yours is the the slightly higher RPM you're reporting. Mine had a transmission replacement (with a rebuilt) and an engine rebuild (including valve job) about 7,000 miles ago ( 93,000 miles). I'm also running 215/70R-15 tires front and rear, though that should make no difference in indicated RPM vs MPH. I wonder if your slightly more tired engine is requiring the TCM to unlock the torque converter and Rev higher to maintain 65 MPH. If so, the transmission will run hotter with that fluid coupling. I'd make sure your trans has fresh fluids and filter, and consider adding a cooler and a temp gauge to monitor it.

I'd be more concerned with trans temps than engine RPM. The engine can handle it, especially if you're running synthetic oil (cooler oil temp + better lubrication). The trans is the known weaker link... That's what prompted the $11,300 repair bill that I was furnished receipts for, as a condition of sale. Transmission failed, and while they had the engine out, they had it refreshed also, waiting on the rebuilt trans to arrive.

Try to cruise with the trans locked in high gear, whatever speed that may be, and manually downsift climbing steep grades to minimize the time spent with the torque converter unlocked and "between gears"...

Hope this helps..?

Thu Jul 23, 2015 1:25 pm

Yes helps, Thanks again! We are running synthetic oil and tranny fluid. We have a cooler, and change the tranny fluid often. We do want to get some kind of gauge in there too. Suppose compression check is in order.

Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:51 am

I've thought and thought about this. My Jetta has 5th gear, and hits around 3500 at 75. But in 4th the RPMs are about the same as the rialta at 65. The R just doesn't have a 5th gear. Is it geared differently? Is it because of the weight? Is a compression test or leak down test a good idea? It is easier to just drive it and enjoy it, but I don't want to ignore problems that could shorten its life.
I'm obviously not a real mechanic.

Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:19 am

The Eurovan (and especially the long wheelbase running gear for the Rialta) are geared much lower than a car, to be able to handle the heavier weight. The Rialta, fully loaded at 7000 lbs, weighs almost twice as much as your Jetta.

Again, I wouldn't worry about the engine but I would keep an eye on transmission temps. My 95 RC has an aftermarket tranny cooler, and I plan to add an external transmission filter, sending unit and temp gauge before I take it cross-country, through Yellowstone, and on to Seattle in September...

I do recommend you keep cruising speed down to 60-65 mph though. That big 7000 box catches a lot of air, though quite streamlined, and works the little 109hp engine pretty hard