2nd time around: I used to spend a fair amount of time on several automotive forums where the subjects were Vanagons and engines, helping troubleshoot problems and just enjoying the vibe of chatting with like-minded folks. Over the years I’ve written quite a few posts attempting to explain certain aspects of automotive and related technologies. I used to receive messages of thanks fairly often from people for whom my brief articles helped illuminate some burning question, or simply helped them fix their car, which was always hugely gratifying because those were the reasons I wrote them in the first place. I don’t get thankful emails nearly so often anymore, which tells me that these things aren’t being discovered by participants on those sites, they’re falling further back in the archives so are low on the list of results when people search for specific topics. So I’m going to collect and repost some of the better ones here from time to time, edited lightly for errors (which are hardly rare) and to reflect new developments and learning in the related fields and in my own understanding. Most refer to specifics of the Vanagon platform, especially the wasserboxer (WBX) engines and supporting systems, but as an inventor/designer I’m much more interested myself in understanding the underlying principles that govern phenomena, aka “science”, so I hope by reading you can glean some of that stuff from thse posts and apply it yourself to similar problems. So, “2nd time around” will be a series of recycled stuff I hope you will still find worth your while.
As someone who’s read many of your Samba posts, I am really looking forward to this.
Thanks for the kind words, I’ll try to make it worth your while.
Maybe it is as you say but maybe we are becoming “less aware” of the human on the other side of the posts. I can assure you I have taken THE advantage of your knowledge multiple times without having never let you know that your efforts were paying off. So thank you sensei and I just discovered this blog and have bookmarked it. Almost forgot..I have your oil cooler on a Rocky Jennings rebuild…4 years 32,000 miles (don’t drive too much..even though its our only 4 wheel vehicle). I can’t imagine dealing with this Tucson heat without it.
Thanks as well for your kind words, William. It’s gratifying to know that some of those old posts are still helpful to some folks. Feel free to send me links of any you think deserve highlighting here, the best judges of what is helpful are the people helped!
Oh, and rock on with your Rocky Jennings engine, Rocky’s the best of the best!
Chris, THANK YOU 😉 I found you through the Samba, after reading one of your great and informative posts. Wanted to give you a thumbs up. -Kim
Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by. Things have been crazy busy at home, we’re moving, but I have a few posts ideas in mind, so check in again and I should have some new stuff for you all.
Chris,
Super stoked to hear you are doing this, I think there are a lot of people that are grateful for you sharing your knowledge. Also, The Samba is so hard to search, having your posts in one place will be awesome.
15k on Vanistan #90 and running like a beast!
Cheers,
Doug
Hey Doug, great to hear from you. You put a lot of miles on in a year, hope you’re having some fun trips!
Well, I’m a big fan.
I struggle as a mechanic-want-a-be and your Tencentlife posts have helped me tremendously. Not just the simple-fix stuff, but the underlying explanations of how the various systems actually work or are supposed to work.
I found this site from one of your posts Oct 27th 2008 Almost 10 years old, but just as valuable.
Thanks,
Dwight Foster
(Dwighia)
’84 Vanagon and 2 ghias
Hi Dwight,
Thanks for the kind words as always, I’m glad there are people who find value in knowing how things work. I’ve just assembled a long post from several old posts, about the Evaporative Emissions Control System. A very simple system that’s on almost every car on the road, but is often misunderstood. Take a look, and come back often!
I think you’d be surprised how far your reach is! In Uk forums your name and particularly your helpful, generous and inspiring articles are well known and very much appreciated.
Thanks
Simon
Thanks you very much, Simon, it’s gratifying to know something I’ve written helped anyone. That encourages me to try to write more. Please come back often!