The Vanagon Dictionary

Kit for detecting water presence in camper

• water
• alarm
• kit

A model of Vanagon with a water-cooled engine

• vanagon
• water-cooled

Water-resistant cover for ignition components

• ignition
• cap

Cooled by water, as opposed to air

• engine
• cooling

Type of engine used in Vanagon/T25 models, with 1.9 or 2.1 liter displacement

• waterboxer
• engine

A pipe that connects the engine's cooling system

• cooling
• water

A water purification process that uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane

• water
• purification

The small electric pump that moves water from an onboard camper tank to the sink faucet when the tank-water mode is selected. It is separate from the engine's coolant-circulation pump.

• camper
• water-system
• electrical

The belt-driven pump that circulates engine coolant through the water-cooled Vanagon engine and cooling circuit. It is different from the small electric pump used to deliver water to a camper sink.

• engine
• water-cooled
• cooling

An exterior hose inlet that connects a camper's water system to a pressurized campsite supply. The fitting and plumbing arrangement vary; the vehicle manual distinguishes this mode from drawing water with the onboard pump.

• camper
• water-system
• exterior

An onboard tank that stores water for a camper's sink supply. Capacity, location, filler, vent, and drain differ by conversion; it is not necessarily a potable-water-rated tank unless the specific installation is documented as such.

• camper
• water-system
• interior

device that circulates the coolant through the engine

• cooling
• engine

Water that has been treated to remove ions and other impurities

• water
• purification

A chamber that surrounds the engine and carries coolant

• engine
• cooling
• jacket

Pipe connecting exhaust system components in Vanagon/T25 Waterboxer engines

• exhaust
• vanagon
• waterboxer

Thermoswitch for pre-heating the inlet manifold in Waterboxer engines

• waterboxer
• thermoswitch
• inlet

An engine that circulates liquid coolant through passages and a radiator to carry heat away. Gerry’s Vanagon spark-plug reference lists DH water-cooled engines with Digijet for 1983–1985 and MV engines with Digifant for 1986–1991. Verify engine code, market, and model year; this archived table is an identification aid, not a complete application chart.

• engine
• water-cooled

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

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

The engine used in the water-cooled Vanagon. The term 'Wasser' is german for 'water'. 'boxer' refers to the flat opposing piston structure of the engine (i.e., the pistons are boxing with each other.)

A temperature-responsive valve in a water-cooled engine's coolant circuit. It regulates coolant flow as the engine warms; the correct part and installation are engine-specific.

• engine
• water-cooled
• cooling

A flexible, waterproof material used for seals and gaskets

• windows
• seals
• rubber

a pulley that drives the water pump

• cooling
• engine

A pipe that allows water to drain from the refrigerator

• pipe
• drainage