In need of repairs - contacts wanted!

[Peekay]

Hello - I'm new here, so please forgive me if this stuff is available elsewhere on this site and I've missed it.

I have a 1987 T25 Westfalia conversion; it's a white pop-top, which I bought last year, in very good condition generally.

However, a year of use and an exposure to the British winter has brought up three problems which I need to have looked at:

1. Leisure battery seems to be failing. Lights, Taps, etc, are working feebly or not at all, even after hours of driving.

2. Paintwork is cracking in some points and small spots of rust are visible underneath.

3. The roof leaks. Looks like it may be the main rubber seal across the roof, behind driver's cab. Either that or the skylight.

My question is: can anyone give me some advice as to who could look at/repair these problems for me? I'm based in Oxford, and would like to find someone who knows their T25s or Westfalias. Any recommendations very gratefully received!

Thanks very much,
Paul K

[1664]

Can't help with others but as far as the leisure battery goes there can be a few causes.

1. Fuse has blown - if the leisure battery is really low, the current from the alternator can rupture the fuse. This happened on mine so I used jump leads straight across the cab once the engine was running and let it charge via the jump leads (they actually got warm!!). You need to be careful doing this and best to do this stationary as you don't want the leads falling off and hitting metalwork etc. Better still, use a battery charger if you've got one. You'll still need to replace the ruptured fuse afterwards though.

2. Split charge relay is knackered. When you turn the ignition on can you hear a faint 'click' from under either of the front seats? Should also hear a faint 'click' when you swith the ignition off too. If the relay isn't working you'll have to check both it and the control wiring to it. Once done I'd still recommend a careful jumplead recharge or battery charger since the battery's as flat as you say it is.

3. Battery's shot

[kevtherev]

why no westy owners have posted nothing is beyond me.

as for the paint, find a good accident repair or commercial vehicle repair garage.
Or
look in yellow pages for a commercial vehicle refinisher.

leisure battery issues like that are as 1664 describes.
I know on my Autosleeper all the electrics work when the engine is running regardless of battery condition.
If they didn't, then I would know the split charge relay is buggered.
I don't know if westys work like this but you could try it to see if the battery is receiving power.

hope this helps

[Westy.Club.Joker]

Give people chance to get their tea down Kev !!

Have you tried hooking it up to the mains for a coupla days to see if that brings the LB back to life? Could be just a knackered LBatt (they don`t last for ever, `specially if they`ve been pancaked once or twice) Simple test to see if it`s charging, put multi-metermeter on batt terminals, check voltage, then start the engine and check again, if nothing alters it`s not getting a charge from the alty. Could be a blown fuse, a knackered split-charge realy or a wiring fault (2 out of the 3 are under the drivers seat if you want to check `em)

Pop-top seals etc (proper quality ones that fit) all available from Peter Gunzl http://www.vwbusshop.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for someone to work on your camper, how far do you want to travel? Specialists arn`t on every corner unfortunaltely, decent paint-shops get work by wod of mouth, so maybe some of the Oxford boys on here can recommend someone? Electrical work isn`t specific to a Westy (!) so find someone local who works on campers/caravans, motorhomes, they all have similar electrical systems.

For more specific Westfalia info, from friendly fellow Westy (!) owners, try here http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/forum ... asp?FID=23" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Popeye- Doyle]

why no westy owners have posted nothing is beyond me.

Now Now your Reverance be patient with your flock.

As with what Westy.Club.Joker has advised.

When i bought mine i had an issue with the batteries not holding a charge. I replaced both with Varta car batteries and renewed the alternator. There is a debate regarding whether to use a proper leisure battery or a normal one, there is a good thread in the Wiki on this subject. I use my bus as daily runner and both batteries have been fine. There is also this site to look at which offers some great info and genuine parts http://www.gowesty.com/main.php .

If you PM me your address i will send you a CD with all the info i have, manuals etc

[greenmandan]

Hi Peekay

I am in Oxford and a new T3 owner.
I have a 1985 High top and seem to have landed on my feet with finding someone good in the area. Picking up the van tomorrow or Sat so will wait until I get it back to comment on him.
Send me a PM on here if you want.
Will post again when I have the van back! !

Dan

[kevtherev]

All that info and not one ta very much, 'kin 'ell

[greenmandan]

Hi all

Highly recommend a guy in Bicester - - Ashley Miles, VW Servicing and Restoration.
Just got my van back today and very happy with his work. He's a great bloke, very helpful and is getting more business in Oxford now.

His email is deluxe77bus@aol.co.uk
His work mobile is 07870 120989
Am sure he won't mind me putting his number up here.

He also advertises on Oxford Gumtree website.

Dan

[Peekay]

Thanks very much to everyone for this advice - really very helpful indeed. I will PM a couple of you and take it all onboard!