The Vanagon Dictionary

English · machine-assisted draft

The area where a seat belt is attached in a vehicle's cabin

• vanagon
• t25
• seatbelt

English · machine-assisted draft

Gaps between the piston rings, which must be offset to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber

• engine
• piston

English · machine-assisted draft

A type of wire used to hold or secure items, often used in place of tape or ties.

• wire
• fastener
• hold

English · source definition

The 4 th generation of Transporters , from 1992 to the present, known in North America as the EuroVan , and elsewhere as Caravelle or just Transporter .

English · source definition

Special model of the bus , based on the Standard bus , first available in 1951. The most notable feature was the smaller engine lid than the previous Barndoors , and a rear hatch hinged at the bottom, which allowed stretchers to be loaded into the interior of the bus . The gas tank and spare tire were moved in order to accomodate the rear hatch.

English · source definition

( Constant Velocity Joint ) One of the small circular devices at an end of an axle on a bus . Buses , Vanagons , and EuroVans have four of these, while the Syncro Vanagons have a total of eight. These are necessary to allow the axle to move up and down while still turning to propel the car. the joints need to be keep greased to function properly. when they are worn, they make a knocking-noise that strikes fear into the hearts of bus owners everywhere. Microbuses do not have CV joints, but use a 'swing-axle' and reduction gear box instead.

English · machine-assisted draft

An upper ball joint is a type of ball joint located at the upper part of the suspension.

• ball
• joint
• upper

English · machine-assisted draft

A type of seat belt that provides three points of contact with the body

• seat
• belt
• safety

English · machine-assisted draft

Exhaust pipe located before the rear silencer in Vanagon/T25, excluding Syncro models

• exhaust
• vanagon
• waterboxer

English · machine-assisted draft

Sensor measuring the speed of the wheels, used in various systems such as anti-lock braking and navigation

• sensor
• wheel

English · source definition

A type of front windshield that tilts outward for additional ventilation. found only on Microbuses , and usually only on on those in equatorial/tropic countries.

English · machine-assisted draft

A type of electrical connector with a 6.3 mm spade shape and shielding for protection

• connector
• electrical

English · machine-assisted draft

A switch that signals the engine computer when the throttle is in the idle or full throttle position

• engine
• throttle

English · machine-assisted draft

Original type of tire used on VWs through the mid 1960s, with plies that run diagonally from one bead to the other.

• tire
• engine

English · source definition

Wolfsburg Editions are models with a higher level of trim, and are probably intended to stimulate sales late in the model year. In addition trim upgrades, they usually include some options without any extra charge (power mirrors, power door locks, and power windows, etc.) The true Weekender is usually also offered as a Wolfsburg Ed. (It's believed that the Westy Weekender only came as a Wolfsburg Edition.)

English · machine-assisted draft

A camper roof section that lifts above the body, usually with a flexible fabric enclosure when raised, adding standing room while keeping a lower profile when closed. Gerry’s 1998 camper-conversion discussion contrasts pop-top layouts with the fixed high-roof Adventurewagen conversion; they are different body configurations, not interchangeable names. Roof design and interior details vary by builder and model year.

• pop-top
• canvas

English · source definition

Light Emitting Diode. those little red/green/yellow 'lights' that almost never burn out. sort of solid plastic light bulbs. and they use very very little amounts of electricity.

English · source definition

A form of fuel injection found on VW Vanagon / Transporters from 1983.5 to 1985. characterized by a digital 'map' of the 'proper' fuel quantity vs engine rpm and temperature.

English · machine-assisted draft

A sealed or low-maintenance lead-acid battery design intended to reduce routine electrolyte checks; its condition, terminals, and charge may still need inspection.

• battery
• design

English · source definition

(Technischer Überwachungs Verein) An agency of the German Federal Government. sort of a combination of DOT and EPA , as well as being responsible for inspecting cars every few years. They very thoroughly checks the car's safety features (breaks, body rust, steering). Older cars often fail, so they head for Eastern Europe, while Germany is left with only spic-and-span cars. Some people believe there is a collusion with car manufacturers to increase turnover.

English · source definition

Upper mid-range model of the bus with nicer interior components than the Kombi , but without the extra trappings of the Deluxe model. Standards have headliners, while Kombis and Panels did not.

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 · source definition

Buses made before mid-1955, whose major characteristics are the oversized engine lid and the lack of a rear cargo hatch. These also did not have the ventilation eyebrow above the windshield/windscreen.

English · source definition

Air Flow Meter. the silver box next to the air cleaner box on the fuel injection model buses . it measured the volume of air entering the intake system, and allowed the computer to adjust the amount of gasoline required.