What Have You Done To Your Van Today?

[ginkster]

Nothing.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Had to re-align my wipers.
Driving along and put the brakes on at a roundabout and all the snow came off the roof while the wipers were going and magically managed to make one wiper cross over the top of the other one as I rapidly tried to turn them off.
So I ended up with crossed wipers.
Anyway, a bit of fettling and they are back where they should be and seem none the worse for their experience.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Had to re-align my wipers.
Driving along and put the brakes on at a roundabout and all the snow came off the roof while the wipers were going and magically managed to make one wiper cross over the top of the other one as I rapidly tried to turn them off.
So I ended up with crossed wipers.
Anyway, a bit of fettling and they are back where they should be and seem none the worse for their experience.

Mmmm appears wipers are not happy this morning. The left one only moves a bit then the right one goes over the top of it and they ended up jammed together across the windscreen.
Oh well-a job for when I get home tomorrow.

 

[MrG]

So I really really should do a build thread!! but its been busy busy in the land of MrG

I completely forgot to post this little update, did this a few months ago but as I have been tinkering with more wiring and LED dimmers this weekend....
I did the puddle lights when i installed a couple of buttons in the overhead storage....

Its all about the little things!


A few other bits I have been up to.....
Finally got round to trimming the front of the pop-top, round the roof lining, deadened & insulated the cab roof. (re-fitting the roof lining is a horrible job)


Love a 3d printer.... made a magnetic mount for the buttons, (trimmed in black suede), fitted buttons (1 does the reading lights/USB points in the poptop, the other will turn all the interior LED strips On and white - nearly there) and connected the button surround lights to the courtesy light circuit.

Video here -

Insulated the glass (12mm thermo liner pro) around the safari window opening before...



Trimming and fitting the Vanshades (NS, OS & Tailgate)




This was basically the weekends on the run up to Christmas but I think I'll leave it there for now (else it really will turn into a build post - Did I mention I should really do one )

LOADS more has been done over the Christmas break (dash, steering wheel, leisure electrics, cabinetry), needless to say I'm currently grinning ear to ear every time I open the side door!

Ill drip feed in here or find where to create a build thread #havenopatience


EDIT:
Just received an email confirmation for a delivery tomorrow......
Excitement level now turned up to "11"
New 'shoes' are arriving tomorrow #mademyday!

 

[Sasquatch]

Dechromed the grille with some nice blue trim strips.

 

[dcpen43]

finally fitted Frogstar 305amp LIPO and removed the Sargent PMS. Have gained a wardrobe, kept under grill storage and created a tool locker under drivers seat

 

[nomislotsirb]

Purchased some rubber to use as a drawer liner at Busfest and for some reason left until the extreme colder months to cut to size and fit. Also a 2 second job to declutter the windscreen. Removed the Driver Assistance sticker and relocated in glovebox.

 

[noggin]

Took it for a Service and MOT, after reading some threads about DSG and Haldex oil changes not being done added them to the list as well.

 

[paul Ain]

Not today sorry but in-between crimbo n NY I fitted some 17” Rogue Rampage+ with Michelin Agilis cross climates. I have been running 20”s with HnR 40mm lowering spring and was fed up with the harsh ride and pot hole dodging. I camp a lot in my van and hopefully this will allow me to use it more in the winter months too. Next in the list some Renogy goodies and hun caps...!

 

[MrG]

Nothing on "the" van today but had the new boots turn up. New breakfast bar in the dinning room

Needless to say they have now been relocated and spent the evening giving the a good scrub with some isopropyl and gave them there first coat of some new fangled graphene ceramic coating for alloys. Im still not convinced on these coatings but if it saves me some elbow grease in the future, they are getting at least 2 applications because I'm really not looking forward to having to clean these!

 

[MrG]

Took it for a Service and MOT, after reading some threads about DSG and Haldex oil changes not being done added them to the list as well.

I have to ask, when people refer to the haldex, are they referring to the rear diff. Only asking as the DSG on mine i know has been done (had 2 new clutches, mechatronics etc etc) but I'm pretty certain the rear diff wasn't done. Remember reading somewhere that has a recommended service interval of about 40k too? Do need to add the "haldex" to the list as well)

 

[Ayjay]

@paul Ain. What size are those tyres please?

 

[Kind of Blue]

The Haldex is not the rear diff. In normal drive with good traction the T6 can be considered front 2 wheel drive. If traction is lost or the ABS system detects some sot of slippage the Haldex which I suppose is considered a form of clutch mechanism starts to lock up and so providing power to the rear propshaft. I am not a mechanic so a better description may be provided by others. I believe a wheel spin or turn that that the system has some variability designed into it depending on slippage and load. It all is supposedly meant to happen within a fraction of a wheel spin or turn. The system is supposedly maintenance free I understand and for life but that does not appear true. The oil in the Haldex degrades and becomes dirty and it performance degrades over time. So it really needs cleaning out and fresh oil applied. Mine had degraded at 27000 miles and was very filthy and affected operation noticeably I was advised on here to check it out. A clean out and fresh oil returned the Haldex and restored it to normal use. We have another Haldex vehicle and we always had that cleaned and new fresh oil every now and then. Not sure what wold be an ideal service interval perhaps 20,000miles or 15,000miles perhaps that might be disused here or else where in the forum.

It may be that mine gets used in some way more than one might expect with normal road use because I live of road. Though with mine, I usually manually engage the Haldex up hill off road by engaging the rear diff lock. I do this for two reasons. First, I believe that regular engagement of the diff lock keeps it free fore use when it is really needed. Many off-road vehicles with various different types of manual activation have been reported stuck or reluctant to engage with lack of use. Regular use prevents them from ceasing up. Second pre engagement off-road, particularly in up hill slippery conditions feels far more secure, positive immediate and direct. Unengaged in the same circumstance, one can feel the hesitation before it regains normal composure. Probably because when off-road like that one is travelling at about walking pace or a little above so a fraction of a wheel spin or slip becomes noticeable while on the road at say moderate speeds on ice or otherwise slippery conditions a fraction of a wheel slippage is less or not so noticeable.



If no diff-lock is part of the specification then re-engagement is normally possible though member "Dellmassive" I believe has a switch that can do the same but without the diff-lock. Theo only normal way to cause pre engagement is to deliberately cause the premature activation of the Haldex by faster or less sympathetic off -road driving, something that is against the grain for me because I have been off the road driving for many years and softly is the normal way to go unless special circumstances prevail. That is another story, for most people he Haldex will get people about unnoticed and trouble free but correct or appropriate tyres for the season or type use are still essential. I am a great believer in All Season AS tyres or two sets of tyres if full winters are preferred. I have use both but tend to prefer AT tyres with AS capability because of my particular circumstances.

Happy motoring!

 

[drinfinity]

Not sure what wold be an ideal service interval perhaps 20,000miles or 15,000miles perhaps that might be disused here or else where in the forum.

VW Trafford Park told me it is now 2 years on the recent models, they did mine at the 2 year service.

 

[Kind of Blue]

VW Trafford Park told me it is now 2 years on the recent models, they did mine at the 2 year service.

That is interesting and good to hear. Thank you for that information. I think because I do not have to get up and go anywhere particular on a regular basis these days I (age catches us all no commute can stay in bed longer) will decide on a mileage or attend to it smartly first sign of warning but preferably before. That or next time something associated is being sorted.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Nothing on "the" van today but had the new boots turn up. New breakfast bar in the dinning room

Needless to say they have now been relocated and spent the evening giving the a good scrub with some isopropyl and gave them there first coat of some new fangled graphene ceramic coating for alloys. Im still not convinced on these coatings but if it saves me some elbow grease in the future, they are getting at least 2 applications because I'm really not looking forward to having to clean these!

View attachment 270319

Excellent choice!

What wheels?


And 100% get them ceramic coated whilst they're off the van, I used Gtechniq C5 wheel armor - 2500 miles worth of road grime and baked on brake dust came off with ease after my 3 week euro trip.

 

[MrG]

The Haldex is not the rear diff. In normal drive with good traction the T6 can be considered front 2 wheel drive. If traction is lost or the ABS system detects some sot of slippage the Haldex which I suppose is considered a form of clutch mechanism starts to lock up and so providing power to the rear propshaft. I am not a mechanic so a better description may be provided by others. I believe a wheel spin or turn that that the system has some variability designed into it depending on slippage and load. It all is supposedly meant to happen within a fraction of a wheel spin or turn. The system is supposedly maintenance free I understand and for life but that does not appear true. The oil in the Haldex degrades and becomes dirty and it performance degrades over time. So it really needs cleaning out and fresh oil applied. Mine had degraded at 27000 miles and was very filthy and affected operation noticeably I was advised on here to check it out. A clean out and fresh oil returned the Haldex and restored it to normal use. We have another Haldex vehicle and we always had that cleaned and new fresh oil every now and then. Not sure what wold be an ideal service interval perhaps 20,000miles or 15,000miles perhaps that might be disused here or else where in the forum.

It may be that mine gets used in some way more than one might expect with normal road use because I live of road. Though with mine, I usually manually engage the Haldex up hill off road by engaging the rear diff lock. I do this for two reasons. First, I believe that regular engagement of the diff lock keeps it free fore use when it is really needed. Many off-road vehicles with various different types of manual activation have been reported stuck or reluctant to engage with lack of use. Regular use prevents them from ceasing up. Second pre engagement off-road, particularly in up hill slippery conditions feels far more secure, positive immediate and direct. Unengaged in the same circumstance, one can feel the hesitation before it regains normal composure. Probably because when off-road like that one is travelling at about walking pace or a little above so a fraction of a wheel spin or slip becomes noticeable while on the road at say moderate speeds on ice or otherwise slippery conditions a fraction of a wheel slippage is less or not so noticeable.



If no diff-lock is part of the specification then re-engagement is normally possible though member "Dellmassive" I believe has a switch that can do the same but without the diff-lock. Theo only normal way to cause pre engagement is to deliberately cause the premature activation of the Haldex by faster or less sympathetic off -road driving, something that is against the grain for me because I have been off the road driving for many years and softly is the normal way to go unless special circumstances prevail. That is another story, for most people he Haldex will get people about unnoticed and trouble free but correct or appropriate tyres for the season or type use are still essential. I am a great believer in All Season AS tyres or two sets of tyres if full winters are preferred. I have use both but tend to prefer AT tyres with AS capability because of my particular circumstances.

Happy motoring!

Thanks for the reply, and apologies, i was somewhat tired and didn't word the query very well.

I understand in the case of the VW 4motion system on the T6 it is a FWD bias setup with the ability to completely decouple the rear wheel drive, however seen that AWD is engaged during normal driving (another member MMI did some very interesting data logging on this).

What I wanted to clarify is the 'front' part of the "haldex" driveline completely separate to the gearbox (DSG in my case) or is it part of the gearbox (i.e. shares the same oil, filter and pump). The rear Diff (regardless of Diff lock function) I do understand to be independent (in terms of fluids) to the rest of the driveline.

This is possibly better placed in a different thread, so Mods, please feel free to move it
(Ill do a quick search on the forum for any pre-existing threads and link it here if i find one)

Really good post on the VW Cali owners club site -> here
Haldex Service Intervals - Here

So the bit I'm not 100% certain on now..... Does the Haldex and rear diff share the same fluids

 

[MrG]

Excellent choice!

What wheels?


And 100% get them ceramic coated whilst they're off the van, I used Gtechniq C5 wheel armor - 2500 miles worth of road grime and baked on brake dust came off with ease after my 3 week euro trip.
View attachment 270333

HAHA, did you recognize the tread pattern or can you make out the label?

I looked at that stuff and it got great reviews. I stumbled on a company that actually manufactures a lot of product for some of the well known brands (its pretty local to me too) They have recently started there own product line trading as "The Ceramic Warehouse" so thought i would give there Graphine Ceramic Rim coating a go, it supposedly offers 36+ months worth of protection - I will pop updates on this as time goes on. So far its seems pretty easy to work with.

As for the rims.... Watch this space, van needs a wash before I fit them but not going to lie.... they have well and truly exceeded my expectations (then again I'm biased )

 

[TallPaul_S]

HAHA, did you recognize the tread pattern or can you make out the label?

I looked at that stuff and it got great reviews. I stumbled on a company that actually manufactures a lot of product for some of the well known brands (its pretty local to me too) They have recently started there own product line trading as "The Ceramic Warehouse" so thought i would give there Graphine Ceramic Rim coating a go, it supposedly offers 36+ months worth of protection - I will pop updates on this as time goes on. So far its seems pretty easy to work with.

As for the rims.... Watch this space, van needs a wash before I fit them but not going to lie.... they have well and truly exceeded my expectations (then again I'm biased )

Yeah I recognised the tread pattern, and the tyre shape!!

2-3 years is pretty standard for a wheel ceramic coating that stuff looks good.


A good set of wheels can make a car/van, glad you're happy with them!!

 

[MrG]

Yeah I recognised the tread pattern, and the tyre shape!!

2-3 years is pretty standard for a wheel ceramic coating that stuff looks good.


A good set of wheels can make a car/van, glad you're happy with them!!
View attachment 270338

Stock suspension (t32 at a guess)?? Edit, scrap that, I was reading your build thread the other day around the Mountain bikes.... loving your work! Quite local to me too!