I've been lurking for a while as I have the option of taking on a 73 Westfalia. Its going to need some work, which isnt beyond me, but I'm trying to make my mind up if I want to or not. Yesterday I really did, today after it running and dieing after every 30 seconds I'm not so sure. I need to move it a short distance ( 200 yds ) to my house so I can assess it properly but unless I can be sure it will run for 5 mins plus I darent. Anyway, I dont feel right introducing myself with a load of questions so will keep reading and hopefully get it moving and then the questions will begin Take care Dave
Hello and welcome to the forum! Don't be too worried about asking questions... there's plenty of knowledgeable people on here, and if it gets you up and running quicker, and able to make the decision to buy or not to buy, then its all good. So ask away! Just not me, coz I know nothing (A photo of the engine / engine bay might help if you can)
Welcome from sunny Leicestershire, keep asking the questions there’s always someone to guide you through.
Hi and welcome. Besides the banter, the forum has loads of experience to share and peeps who love a problem, so you would be doing them a favour if you show some pics and take it from there
Morning. There's a huge wealth of knowledge on here and I've yet to see a question that didn't elicit a flurry of answers (some of the answers maybe juvenile and full of double entendre though).
Thanks everyone for the kind welcomes. I've left the bus alone for a while due to work etc. I'm hoping to spend a bit of time looking at it further and getting it running for a bit longer next week as I'm off. Will post a few pics along with no doubt a few questions as well. Take care
Out of curiosity, what is at your house that would make inspecting it easier or more thorough than leaving it where it is if it’s only 200 yards away? I’m asking as I’d be surprised if a seller would let their van go somewhere else to be potentially prodded for rust before an actual sale, unless you’ve got a large garage or 4 poster etc. you might end up in a nasty neighbourly dispute by accident. Also, I’m going to sound really unwelcoming which is not my desire…..but it pays for someone to say it to save you from yourself. Most of these vans have WAY bigger issues than cutting out after 30 seconds…..if that takes you away from being confident/happy to being very uncertain you want to take it on…..don’t buy it, you are almost certainly going to enter a lot of pain. As a caveat, it may be mint, you might have mad skills, I don’t know….just trying to help you with something that is none of my business. Many of us started as romantic fools with bay ownership….but that was in the days before £1000 for a pair of cab doors.
Hi Moons, Thanks for your input, it is appreciated. The current location is on a dirt track in front of a building that has to be demolished. I cant jack it safely where it is and the owner needs it moving to enable the above. Moving it to my drive allows me to assess it safely and the owner to demolish the building on their property. Weve discussed this and both are happy that either can walk away if need be so disputes arent likely. Take care Dave
Hi - Welcome from West Lancashire - a '73 Westy here too. Make sure the body and chassis are solid - the engine comes 2nd .
