I have decided that when I finally get to drive home my "new 'kombi it's my right and my responsibility to do as much of the general servicing as I possibly can.
(don't want to let my hubby anywhere near it...he's a brute!)

But not knowing anything at all about cars it's a bit like flapping your arms in a dark room.

so input would be great..it's a 77 kombi ex-army bus, currently undergoing restore.

what do I need to do and how often do i need to do it . I absolutely determined to lern the know-how to keep my car running the best that it possibly can.

It will not be ready for pick up for pickup for 2-3mths, but I have old Tom (73 bus) to practise on (figure it can't hurt to have a go now...or can it?...arrgh!

all help would be very appreciated


kisskisskisskiss:kiss

The jon muir book "How to keep your VW alive" is a must have.
I'm in the same boat as you, but its great when you have a problem to come and ask a quick question here.
My only suggestion would be to get a second (old) keyboard and plug it in when you do any work on the kombi. It will save you getting oily fingerprints all over your regular one !

Good luck :thumb

I know how to check oil...but that's about it.

change oil filters?......who knew....not me :o

how often do you need to do this, and what else on a semi-regular basis?

Need to learn..

Can I order this book though local vw type place?


:vader

I know nothing about mechanics and find its better to 'pay' someone who knows what they are doing.
It would probably save me money doing this than doing it by myself
But there is a huge amount of knowledge at this forum and its shared freely

right now when I open the engine bay door all I see is a lump of metal.
It would be great to know what I am looking at . If I broke down I would like to have some base knowledge of why rather than " it don't work"

If I posted a problem here I would not have a clue of what names fit which parts.

Where does one begin to learn this stuff?

BTW I have ordered that book
Thanx fatboy :thumb

Azz who do you use for a mec. ?
I am currently using Volks world

John Muirs Complete idiots guide is a must,Also you must buy a service manual for youre model car Hanes manuals are good but a Bentley manuals are better,and lots of reading and tinkering anyone can be there own mechanic for basic servicing,And if youre still in trouble come here and post a problem someones bound to help.

I think John Muirs is a waste. dont think it has much in the way of information for a 77 kombi. When you're due for the first service get someone over to show you how to adjust points/timing/valves where the lubrication points are. Its not hard but I reckon better to be shown than get it wrong by reading the book the wrong way. Especially since getting it wrong could be terminal for your engine.

I would still get the book.
But dont trial and error on your car. Join a club and get some one to show you the first couple of times.

By the way every 3000 miles/ 5000 kms oil and filter (yours is a Type 4) change and do the valves as well

But more important is to "read" you motor. Learn waht a loose valve sounds like, what a hot motor smells like, what a rich/lean plug looks like

No point paying money to someone for a service but not knowing you have a noisy tappet a week after you service and not doing anything about it

Definitely join a club!

Ive used alot of different mechanics in Brisbane but the latest and I feel he is fair and honest is
Phoenix Engineering
Woolloongabba
33917755

Great guys :kiss

Am hoping to join the BLB next week at the rally.
Would be great to have someone there help.
Can not wait till the new kombi is ready.

Spent all afternoon yesterday with Crazey George trying to sort out a timing problem.
The muffler is soo bad it's beginning to get damm embarrasing to drive around....
only a few more months..hope it can stay together that long

Buy as many different workshop manuals as you can find for your vehicle. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, so if you find one does not explain something adequately you can just pull the next one off the shelf.

Even manuals that do not suit you car can be informative. I just bought a manual for early Hillmans and another for 1949/50 Vauxhalls and foudn that they quite clearly show how to insert new valve guides, reface valves, etc. which you may not want to do yourself, but it still helps you understand engines better and makes great reading for entertainment.

Yeh that was my point ,reading and understanding the concept of an engine is a great learning curve ,And if youre getting a new Kombi why not begin looking at youre old Kombis motor,running gear etc and playing around with It.

I fully intend to :thumb
I am going to wait on the book though...
probably best not to start pulling things apart willy-nilly :o

And have a good read through http://www.vintagebus.com  and http://www.type2.com  They are the best web resources for buses (type2s).

http://www.shoptalkforums.com  also has active type2 forums, as does http://www.thesamba.com  (click on the "community" tag for the list of forums).