First Syncro trip - Wales.

[B.J]

Hi,
We've just returned from our first trip in the Syncro to glorious Wales for two whole weeks. We all had a great time and despite mixed weather, a truly awful justskankers R'n'R adjustable bed and some minor technical issues, I can honestly say that , as a family, we're all very attached to our new Syncro .
We Also me a couple of 80-90 members along the way who were both very friendly and helpful with tips and tricks. Seeker (hi) came over to say hello whilst I was parked up in Breacon and suggested a great drive up to Tregaron via the Llne Brianne reservoir and along the mountain road with a nice overnight at the lat\long http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=2 ... 9,0.252686" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My Syncro has a decoupler which i used most of the time whilst getting to Wales. When I did go 4wd I noticed a rather unpleasant noise coming from behind the front seats. Sounded like metal grinding (not crunching) and quite deep and hollow. Seemed to happen when I was in 1st and 2nd and turning on full lock or near full lock. I mentioned this to Seeker and he said I should look into transmission wind up? Had a quick search on the forums for that and it seems to be related to tight VC's which brings me to the next issue. As it was chucking it down on the way home last night, I decided to engage 4wd on the M4 and drove for about 2 hours. Pulled into the services and the whole van seemed to seize up whilst I was turning into a parking bay. It was so stiff I couldn't complete the parking maneuver. I engaged the decoupler for the rest of the journey and didn't have any more issues. I'm guessing that these issues are related. I hope I don't have to fork out for a new VC and that it's not damaging my transmission.
Has anyone here had any similar symptoms?

Apart from that and the idiosyncrasies of a zig unit we all had a great time.

[KINGPRAWN]

you need a new vc and it will do the trans no favours at all...get it done!...or ditch the prop untill you have the funds

[lloydy]

glad you had a good time, i was in wales too. Symptoms do sound like a fooked VC
Not to hard to do though, and here's a how to link of it being done on my van http://campervanculture.com/2011/01/how ... -yourself/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[B.J]

you need a new vc and it will do the trans no favours at all...get it done!...or ditch the prop untill you have the funds

Sh*t.... how much is that going to cost? But by using the decoupler I'll save the transmission right?

[B.J]

glad you had a good time, i was in wales too. Symptoms do sound like a fooked VC
Not to hard to do though, and here's a how to link of it being done on my van http://campervanculture.com/2011/01/how ... -yourself/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Where do you get new or reconditioned VC's from? I also heard that you can recondition them yourself.

[lloydy]

Brickwerks do them, also a few of the german webshops

[jed the spread]

you need a new vc and it will do the trans no favours at all...get it done!...or ditch the prop untill you have the funds

Sh*t.... how much is that going to cost? But by using the decoupler I'll save the transmission right?

Correct, no need to drop the prop because your decoupler dis engauges it. Without trying to start the decouplerVvc debate again it looks like the decoupler has been fitted because like many belive an agressive vc is good off road. What you actually have is a failing part that will get hotter quicker and fail all together when under load (I have seen this with my own eyes) Shame the money wasn't spent on a new VC rather than the decoupler, I always think it's like putting lipstick on a pig......

Does your van work properly in 4wd? No, you will be needing a new vc....
Jed

[syncrosimon]

I think you have identified two different and separate problems.

The first one you mention is a grinding noise behind the seats. This I would imagine could be drive shaft related. If you leave the bus de-coupled jack up each front wheel in turn and give each one a good spin. (can only do this with a de-coupler) see if you can identify where the noise is coming from. This will also spin the prop shaft and might help you identify what your problem is. Could be CV joints, wheel bearings or prop UJ's or at worst something in the diff.

The second problem you have identified is a tight VC,

There is a bit of history here, but basically when SDP made the VC's in Austria they used a fill method to make the VC's. The VC's were then tested and if they fell within certain parameters they were fitted to vehicles. Within those acceptable parameters each VC will be slightly different and all of them exhibit slightly different characteristics. Some will be tighter, some milder (like that fitted to the T4 syncro) SDP even retro fitted milder VC's for those that did not like the tightening you describe after your motorway trip.

If your VC binds up after hard driving then it is likely that your VC is on it's way out. On that basis my VC has been on it's way out for 5 years, but because I have a decoupler like you I can live with it, and enjoy the other benefits that I perceive.

If you only want to use the syncro for mild off roading then I dont think you will get value out of the £600 quid investment needed for a new VC. I would spend that money on the driveline, and that would be better money spent as your VC will perform probably for years to come if you only use it for short bursts every now and then.

I have had a tight VC for 5 years, and 40,000 miles. I do off road, and the tighter VC performs without fault.

Glad you enjoyed your holiday, the syncro is a unique and versatile vehicle, sort out the driveline, then worry about the VC.

Simon.

[..lee..]

i`ve heard vc`s go noisey. if i`ve read correctly the noise was only there when you engaged 4wd and used low gears. if the seals go in the vc you can contaminate the front diff oil with the silicon. aidan will advise as to the possibilty of bearing stress due to this happening.

you have another option and that is to fit a solid shaft instead of the vc. not something i recomend on a syncro but what ever you decide act quickly and get it all checked out properly. the transmission is the heart of these vehicles.

lee.

[footstuck]

It is said to be important to have the same rolling radius
across each axle. Tyre tread depths are a critical issue.
As the VC senses the difference in the rotational speed
of each differential, a slow build up of heat due to tread depths
is sufficient to lock up the VC and cause the problems described.
I also have a tight VC and a de-coupler that works very well off road, and on road when
severe conditions dictate I use the 4wd.
I intend to keep my VC going until its performance drops off.
I am MORE likely to know when that happens, hopefully preventing long term contamination.
Low tread tyres on one axle and slightly over inflated tyres on the other
and along drive on a stinking hot auto-route, might be enough to cook a VC
Dis-engaged there is no issue.
Don't know how deep your pockets are mate, but if i could have afford it, i would have done both.
JOB DONE . .

[B.J]

Here's an extract of the work that has been carried out on my bus . Of course, this doesn't give any real clues about the condition of the vc but it does perhaps rule out other causes of the grinding noise. Perhaps.

VW T25 14” Syncro Leisuredrive Camper High Top
RHD 115,500 recorded miles

I'm selling my beloved Syncro due to change of requirements. I have owned this van for nearly two years and it has been totally reliable throughout, whilst returning 31.5 MPG. The van was first registered in 1987 as a standard 1.6TD Panel Van supplied to the Yorkshire Water Authority. From what I can gather it was then sold in 1990 to Leisuredrive who carried out the High Top conversion. At some later point a 1.9TDi (AHU) engine was fitted without the associated electronics which ran well but never developed the power that it should have. Because of this I replaced the 1.9 TDi engine with a 1.9TD in April 2011.
I have carried out extensive work to bring it up to the standard that I required so my hard work will be to your advantage! I've listed the specification and work carried out below:

Engine:
AAZ 1.9 TD fitted in April this year from an 84k mile Mk 3 Golf.
New oil pump, turbo oil feed/drain and reconditioned turbo fitted on conversion (11 months warranty remaining).
New Cambelt/tensioner, oil filter, fuel filter.
Clutch inspected (new clutch fitted 27/05/08) , heater plugs inspected.
80ºC thermostat fitted.
Stainless steel exhaust.

Transmission:
Gearbox/Rear Diff rebuilt by Aidan Talbot.
New sliding joint propshaft fitted.
Decoupler fitted.
Front and rear Diff-Locks both functioning correctly.
New inboard/outboard CVs fitted to rear driveshafts.
New rear wheel bearings fitted.
Gearbox/Front Diff oil changed.

Mechanical/Suspension:
Powerflex steering rack bushes fitted.
New front discs and pads, new rear brake backplates, cylinders and shoes.
Tank straps and all fuel lines replaced.
Gear linkage overhauled.
Replaced front wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar bushes.
Replaced front shock absorbers and springs.
Replaced NSF lower ball joint.