The Vanagon Dictionary

English · source definition

The pressurized tank in the water-cooled Vanagon cooling circuit that accommodates coolant expansion and provides a fill and bleed point. It is separate from the low-pressure coolant refill reservoir; the names are sometimes confused in parts listings.

• engine
• water-cooled
• cooling

English · source definition

The drain pipe and outlet that carry used sink water out of the camper sink. Some vintage camper layouts discharge through an open outlet rather than a grey-water tank, so the installed arrangement should be checked on the vehicle.

• camper
• water-system
• plumbing

English · source definition

The accessible coolant container used to replenish the water-cooled Vanagon system as coolant moves between the pressurized expansion tank and the reservoir. It is not the pressurized expansion tank itself; verify the part by the vehicle's cooling-system layout.

• engine
• water-cooled
• cooling

English · source definition

The 12-volt battery supply used for camper electrical loads such as interior lighting, the water pump, and controls on the documented Vanagon Westfalia. Whether a particular vehicle has a separate auxiliary battery depends on its model and later modifications.

• camper
• electrical
• battery

English · source definition

Any Volkswagen Transporter from 1949 to 1967, characterized by a split (two-piece) windshield and rounded body contours. all were powered by beetle Type 1 engines and all had 'reduction gears' on the half-axles. known also as T1 Transporters . This term is also used by VW SA for the present 5 Cyl. (Vanagon-style) van without exclusive options.

English · machine-assisted draft

Westfalia is a camper-conversion brand, not a Transporter generation. Gerry’s preserved FAQ describes Westfalia as one of several companies that converted VW Transporters and says it was generally the camper version imported and sold through Volkswagen dealers in the United States at that time. Roof, interior, and equipment depend on the specific vehicle and year.

• westfalia
• camper

English · source definition

Any Volkswagen Transporter . Since the Beetle was the first car produced by VW, it became known within the company as the Type 1. The bus or transporter was the second type of vehicle produced, so it became known as the Type 2. The Squareback/Fastback was the Type 3, and the 411/412 was the Type 4 (which had the same engine as the 1972-1982 Type 2's ( buses ).

English · machine-assisted draft

Dehler was a German conversion company whose VW Transporter campers and business-van layouts appear in Gerry’s preserved terminology FAQ. Archive discussions make the model distinction clearer: a 1999 thread concerns a Dehler Profi conversion sighting, while a 2005 thread describes a rare Dehler Profi high-roof camper. “Dehler” therefore identifies the converter; Profi is a particular conversion line, not a separate Transporter generation. Confirm the exact build and year for parts or fitment.

• camper
• conversion

English · machine-assisted draft

In a Syncro drivetrain, a driveshaft decoupler disconnects the prop shaft so the front axle is no longer driven through it; it is not the front differential lock. A Gerry discussion on 16 May 2004 compares the original non-viscous-coupling layout, which used a driveshaft decoupler, with viscous-coupling Syncros while debating front-lock behavior. The thread is historical community discussion, not a retrofit procedure; identify the drivetrain configuration before interpreting parts or controls.

• vw
• syncro
• drivetrain