To the Alps & Back by Syncro REPORT COMPLETE

[hotpod]

my mates found it very amusing that i was so stoked at seeing another kombi...
i dont think they quite understand yet!

[syncropaddy]

my mates found it very amusing that i was so stoked at seeing another kombi...
i dont think they quite understand yet!

With your help they will gradually come over from the dark side .....

[Simon Baxter]

New brakes do smell, it is the resin that they use to bind the friction material burning off.
Could be loads of other things too, engine braking during long decents is the way forward, or pulse the brake on and off in say 3 second intervals rather than going all the way down with them on lightly.

[hotpod]

i had been told that engine braking was the key and and after it happend the first time, i kept my foot off the pedal completely till i needed to lose speed before corners. still got hot though. i couldnt decide whether i should keep going to get some air past the brakes, or to stop and wait. i eventually voted for going for a while in first gear till i could stand it no longer.
the locals drive like nutters even in the snow.
i have new disks, pads and calipers on there plus they are larger than normal being as its a 16.
i wonder if i am missing something.

anyway, apart from that, me and the van are getting on better than ever now that we have proved we can do a big drive like that with out falling out and without involving the aa.

does anyone have the piece of wiring loom which goes between the air flow meter and its connector? ( the one which volkswagen put out in response to vanagon syndrome) i had one on my doka pre 1.9 diesel conversion but i cant find the damn thing now that i know what it is.

[Simon Baxter]

Sometimes, if the calipers are old, and you push the pistons all the way back to make room for new pads/discs then they can tend to get a bit sticky.
Once the pads wear and reduce in thickness the problem may subside, But I would check them, toasted brake linings will squeal and cooked discs could warp, plus the extra heat as you say could lead to vapour lock, and no-one wants that, especially in 2 tonnes worth of van heading down a mountain.

[hotpod]

yippee. i just logged into facebook and spotted the fuel tank sender unit backing plates and rubbers. i managed to bodge mine before i left for switzerland, and it held out till yesterday. will put an order in tomorow. save some for me please.

[Simon Baxter]

Just waiting for the invoice, the nuts and washers to go with them, won't be long.
Things are getting onto the webshop much quicker now since the new boy started.