1985 Volkswagen Camper problems

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The Volkswagen Type 2 is a forward control light commercial vehicle introduced in 1950 by the German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model. Known officially (depending on body type) as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Volkswagen Station Wagon (US), Bus (also US), Camper (UK) or Bulli (Germany), it was given the factory designation Type 2 as it followed – and was initially derived from – Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 (Beetle).

As one of the forerunners of the modern cargo and passenger vans, the Type 2 gave rise to forward control competitors in the United States in the 1960s, including the Ford Econoline, the Dodge A100, and the Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan, the latter adapting the rear-engine configuration of the Corvair car in the same manner in which the VW Type 2 adapted the Type 1 layout.

European competition included the 1947–1981 Citroën H Van, the 1959–1980 Renault Estafette (both FF layout), the 1952–1969 semi forward-control Bedford CA and the 1953–1965 FR layout Ford Transit. Japanese manufacturers also introduced similar vehicles, such as the Nissan Caravan, Toyota LiteAce and Subaru Sambar. Like the Beetle, the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide, including the "microbus", "minibus", and, because of its popularity during the counterculture movement of the 1960s, "Hippie van/bus".

Brazil contained the last factory in the world that produced the T2 series of Type 2, which ceased production on 31 December 2013, due to the introduction of more stringent safety regulations in the country. This (after the 2002 termination of its T3 successor in South Africa) marked the end of the era of rear-engine Volkswagens, which originated in 1935 with their Type 1 prototypes.

1985 Volkswagen Camper

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Common 1985 Volkswagen Camper problems

Common problems with the Volkswagen Camper 1985 include stalling and intermittent starting problems, leaking cylinder head O-rings, and fuel line issues.

Stalling and intermittent starting problems are common in the 1985 Volkswagen Camper. One owner reported a stalling problem after a hot restart, which was manageable by giving the engine a lot of throttle or revving it before shifting into gear. However, the same owner later experienced intermittent starting problems, where the engine would turn over but wouldn't fire. This issue was resolved after waiting for some time and trying again, but it caused significant inconvenience and concern.

Leaking cylinder head O-rings or porous cylinder heads are another common problem in the 1985 Volkswagen Camper. This issue can cause leaks, leading to engine damage and performance problems. While this problem may not be as common as stalling or starting issues, it is still a significant concern for owners of these vehicles.

Fuel line issues are also prevalent in the 1985 Volkswagen Camper. One owner reported that the fuel lines were rotting and the hose clamps were weak and cheap, allowing fuel to spill directly onto the hot exhaust system over time. This issue can cause fires and other serious safety hazards, making it a critical concern for owners of these vehicles.

In summary, the 1985 Volkswagen Camper has several common problems, including stalling and intermittent starting issues, leaking cylinder head O-rings, and fuel line problems. These issues can cause significant inconvenience, safety hazards, and performance problems, making it essential for owners to address them promptly and thoroughly.

1985 Volkswagen Camper engine

What is the vanagon syndrome?

The theory of the vanagon syndrome is the wiper gets a vibratory resonance. This bouncing of the wiper on the resistance track causes the voltage to go all over the place making the ECU loose track of the actual fuel air ratio it needs along with the incorrect ignition map. So the car is bucking and acting weird.

What year is the best vanagon?

Generally speaking, the 1986-1991 Vanagons are the most highly evolved of all. The 83.5-85 1.9 wasserboxers are really good vans too though and they are considerably cheaper than the later models. The 80-83 air-cooled models are the only ones I would really steer clear of.

How much horsepower does a 1985 VW Vanagon have?

83 horsepower

A true people mover of the '80's, the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon was powered with a 1.9-liter, water-cooled four-cylinder engine that generated 83 horsepower, thanks to a fuel-injection system called the Digi-Jet.

How many miles per gallon does a vanagon get?

Based on data from 24 vehicles, 863 fuel-ups and 138,298 miles of driving, the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon gets a combined Avg MPG of 16.04 with a 0.23 MPG margin of error.

What is the vanagon syndrome?

The theory of the vanagon syndrome is the wiper gets a vibratory resonance. This bouncing of the wiper on the resistance track causes the voltage to go all over the place making the ECU loose track of the actual fuel air ratio it needs along with the incorrect ignition map. So the car is bucking and acting weird.

What year is the best vanagon?

Generally speaking, the 1986-1991 Vanagons are the most highly evolved of all. The 83.5-85 1.9 wasserboxers are really good vans too though and they are considerably cheaper than the later models. The 80-83 air-cooled models are the only ones I would really steer clear of.

How much horsepower does a 1985 VW Vanagon have?

83 horsepower

A true people mover of the '80's, the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon was powered with a 1.9-liter, water-cooled four-cylinder engine that generated 83 horsepower, thanks to a fuel-injection system called the Digi-Jet.

How many miles per gallon does a vanagon get?

Based on data from 24 vehicles, 863 fuel-ups and 138,298 miles of driving, the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon gets a combined Avg MPG of 16.04 with a 0.23 MPG margin of error.

1985 Volkswagen Camper car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Camper problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Volkswagen Camper vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Volkswagen Camper complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Volkswagen Camper.

1998-05-27

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-08-01
  • VIN: WV2ZB0255FH
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: CONTINENTAL CONTRANS 185R14 C 8PR N RADIAL TUBELESS LS22 TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING VEHICLE ROLL OVER.

1985 Volkswagen Camper recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1985 Volkswagen Camper.

1985-11-19
  • Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
  • Summary: THE LATCH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR MAY BECOME DAMAGED IF EXCESSIVE FORCE IS USED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DAMAGED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WILL NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER BUMPY ROADS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A PASSENGER COULD FALL OUT CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
  • Remedy: MODIFY THE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY SO DOOR WILL PROPERLY ENGAGE.
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