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 Driving from British Columbia to Brasil |
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| lkidner |
 Jun 25 2009, 02:22 PM
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Wanderer
Group: Members
Posts: 18
Joined: 16-June 07
Member No.: 62088
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We're looking into getting a VW van (be a Kombi or Westy, however you would like to call it), and driving from BC, Canada to Bahia, Brasil. Everything seems to be moving along quite nicely and we've found a few optional vehicles, but there are always some negative questions and ideas that come around: recently we've heard from someone that they did this drive 15 years ago in a VW and had to ditch the van because they couldn't find parts to fix it. This is contrary to many things we've already heard, but this is the only person we've talked to who actually DID a trip from North to South America.
I guess with this discussion, I'm just reaching out to anybody who has experience in the drive down to South America (be it in a VW or not) in the recent years, and if they have any advice they can give us.
We'll be traveling down the west coast of the US, through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama (where we would then send the bus to Ecuador), Peru, North Chile, North Argentina, and across Brasil.
Thanks for your time!
Liam & Sarah
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| lkidner |
Jun 25 2009, 05:24 PM
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Wanderer
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Joined: 16-June 07
Member No.: 62088
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QUOTE(starlagurl @ Jun 25 2009, 02:26 PM) 
I know the best person to ask about this, donyan! He is a mechanic in Mexico. I'll be back and see what he says.
Awesome! That would be just perfect! I'm sure he'd have a better idea than any mechanic up here! Thank you so much! |
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| lkidner |
Jun 25 2009, 05:27 PM
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Wanderer
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Joined: 16-June 07
Member No.: 62088
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QUOTE(mmbcross @ Jun 25 2009, 03:46 PM) You may have trouble finding new parts, but take the example of Cuba, that still has 1950's American cars running in spite of a total embargo on US car parts since 1960. If you can find a creative mechanic with a lathe, he can actually make virtually any part you need. It is probably harder today to find these people, but they do still exist, and can miraculously keep your vehicle going on a wing and a prayer. The older the vehicle, the better the chances of repair. Vehicles today are so computerized that even these curanderos de carros can't help much. http://www.traveladventures.org/continents.../cubacars.shtmlI would imagine that the embargo has a lot to do with mechanic technicians in Cuba, but I'm not too sure how much it would effect the rest of Central and South America. It's till something to take into consideration, though. The van we're looking into at the moment is a '73, so it's still not an electric engine and should be easier to maintain. Thanks for all the help! L&S |
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| donyan |
 Jun 26 2009, 11:32 AM
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Nomad
Group: Members
Posts: 151
Joined: 7-March 08
From: Mexico
Member No.: 151427
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Hello Daredavils!
Remember, you will travel targeted as "Blondy's in Need" at every stop...try to get a VW Combi with the 1600 cc aircooled engine: the 1700 cc (long block) aircooled WAS NOT MANUFACTURED in México nor Brasil: no parts for them. ALLWAYS have the VW/Audi brand on replacement parts, spark plugs should be either Bosch or Champion: ALL OTHER BRANDS sparkplugs don't work well on aircooled VW's...
Young mechanics are not familiar with aircooled-rear engine Combi's. Allways choose OLD MECHANICS. Choose a Combi with carbs and the distributor with POINTS. No fuel injection, those where the WORST years for VW fuel injection...a REAL NIGHTMARE!!!
Look for the "How to keep your VW alive: a step by step procedure for the compleat idiot" book from John Muir: a real VW bible, excellently ilustrated and real mechanic tips from a mechanic that traveled Mexico (and further south) in a VW Combi, with his family. It is a CULT Book, maybe a friend has it and make Photocopies, YOU WILL NEED THEM!!!
Have a jack that works, two spare tires a wonderfull option (one up front), remember the rear tires NEED a MINIMUM of 40 psi (unloaded) for ROAD STABILITY, for power uphills (allways marginal, have patience and you will reach the top, eventually), for reduced side wind sensibility (think you are landing a Cessna taildrager light plane) and for fuel economy. Full cargo and rear tires need 44 psi, I prefer 48 psi. Fronts don't need more than 30 psi loaded or unloaded. The factory tire presures ussually are on the fuel cap cover.
My VW Combi "laPerica" was given to me by three derelict italian surfers: they bought her in San Diego and traveled the Pacific Coast for a month, visiting all mechanic shops on the way: the Combi finally gave up traveling in Puerto Escondido, where they found me, the poor souls. I changed the FUEL TANK, it was badly rusted inside: VERY COMON on old Combi's. I cleaned both carbs, the fuel pump, and put the FUEL STRAINER (essential, check for that) in the non rusted tank replacing the rusted one, that fuel strainer goes at the hose conection, on the hose that feeds the carbs. It worked without more troubles...for three days, before their visa expired along with their vacation. They paid my work & the used fuel tank, with the Combi I own now, my VW shop on wheels since then (August 1997) working daily and used as my default vehicle for ALL purposes. It has a rear seat that folds into a double bed, excellent for quick honeymoons...my companion Ivan the Labrador, is my copilot...
Contacting a good astrologer (preferably a female astrologer) for advise on planetary conditions is recomended...as well as prayers! Hope to see you around in México!
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...see you later, alligator !  |
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| raniroo |
Jun 30 2009, 08:57 AM
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Sightseer
Group: Local Expert
Posts: 946
Joined: 25-September 06
From: Sydney
Member No.: 19411
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QUOTE(lkidner @ Jun 25 2009, 02:22 PM)
We're looking into getting a VW van (be a Kombi or Westy, however you would like to call it), and driving from BC, Canada to Bahia, Brasil. Everything seems to be moving along quite nicely and we've found a few optional vehicles, but there are always some negative questions and ideas that come around: recently we've heard from someone that they did this drive 15 years ago in a VW and had to ditch the van because they couldn't find parts to fix it. This is contrary to many things we've already heard, but this is the only person we've talked to who actually DID a trip from North to South America.
I guess with this discussion, I'm just reaching out to anybody who has experience in the drive down to South America (be it in a VW or not) in the recent years, and if they have any advice they can give us.
We'll be traveling down the west coast of the US, through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama (where we would then send the bus to Ecuador), Peru, North Chile, North Argentina, and across Brasil.
Thanks for your time!
Liam & Sarah
Check out this website.....it is a couple travelling the world in a KOMBI.... www.bumfuzzle.comThey have travelled through US and south america (before shipping it over to Europe)...I am sure they can answer any questions you may have and recommendations for mechanics....they have one very sweet ride!!!! (They have also sailed around the world too!)
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If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday!
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
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