The Vanagon Dictionary

Type of brake using a disc to slow or stop a vehicle

• brakes
• disc

Component of manual transmission system

• clutch
• disc
• manual
• transmission

A condition where a battery is completely drained of its charge

• battery
• discharge

The central part of the clutch disc that connects to the mainshaft

• clutch
• transmission

A flat, round plate that rotates with the wheel and is squeezed by the brake pads to slow the vehicle

• brakes
• disc

The loss of charge in a battery over time

• batteries
• storage

The percentage of battery capacity used before recharging

• batteries
• lifespan

Shield protecting from brake splash

• brakes
• vanagon

A type of lamp that produces light by exciting a gas, such as xenon

• lighting
• lamp

A hose that carries high-pressure refrigerant in the air conditioning system

• hose
• pressure

Battery type for frequent discharge and recharge

• batteries
• camper

A type of battery designed for prolonged discharges at lower amperage

• battery
• type

A type of grease not recommended for lubricating clutch disc hubs

• lubricant
• clutch

bolt used to mount wheel to brake drum or disc brake rotor

• wheel
• brake

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

A device that connects or disconnects a circuit to isolate it from other circuits

• electrical
• relay
• solenoid

A device that actively manages the charging and discharging of multiple battery banks

• electrical
• batteries
• isolator

A type of grease recommended for lubricating clutch disc hubs

• lubricant
• clutch

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

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

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

Community name for Volkswagen’s water-cooled, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine family used in Vanagons. Gerry’s technical index covers 1.9 L and 2.1 L versions and year-specific service topics. A January 2004 archive thread describes an owner’s 1983 1.9 L Waterboxer running roughly when cold but normally after warming up; it records the symptom and discussion, not a universal cause or fix. Identify the engine code and model year before using parts or service information.

• engine
• water-cooled

An engine that rejects heat directly to moving air rather than circulating liquid coolant. Gerry’s spark-plug reference separates bus applications by engine code and period: ED/GD/GE for 1975–1979 and CV for 1980–1983, including California models. A May 2002 Gerry discussion titled “83 Air Cooled - Production dates” concerns an owner’s September 1983 Westfalia and the difficulty of finding comparable 1983 examples; it is a period-specific production question, not a universal fitment chart.

• engine
• air-cooled

In Gerry’s preserved FAQ alignment article, “Camper model” refers to the heavier Vanagon Syncro camper configuration, with separate alignment values from lighter non-camper vehicles. A Gerry discussion on 15 October 2003 about the “official” Syncro alignment specs quotes the chart for 1986–1991 Syncro campers with dual batteries up front; a 1999 thread separately asks about an almost-empty 1986 Syncro. These historical sources show why the exact load and configuration matter, not a current alignment specification. Use service data for the specific vehicle.

• model
• variant