Driving from the docks - is it safe?

[jskrepnek]

Hi,

It seems like it has been months since we purchased our Delica from auction - wait, it has! Anyway, it finally caught a boat and will be in this neck of the woods soon. Yea.

My question to the board is, would you or would you not recommend that I drive away from the docks, from Vancouver to Keremeos (about 4-5 hours), on a one-day permit before any kind of safety/mechanical inspection (this *is* legal, even before compliance). As I write I'm thinking, what a stupid idea ... you don't want to be on the Hope-Princeton worrying ... so maybe I've answered my own question. But I still wouldn't mind hearing from you. Could I get by with a quick, same-day fluid change and safety inspection, then go (presuming all is well)?

Keeping in mind, I have no warranty (of course); and, the reason for all this is so that I can have our Delica inspected, complied and tuned up locally, which I would feel better about (if something does go wrong, I have a local outlet).

Thanks,
-- Joel

[BCDelica]

Joel,

Your van doesn't have to be in compliance for a temp permit.

If you could find someone to give it a safety inspection 'before' it is complied would be a safe bet - don't know of anybody in Van, close to New West/Annasis Island myself. I have always driven straight home after giving the van a throughly once over myself, pulling into a serviced gas station shortly after leaving the warehouse. One given if you ship container is that the battery will be completely dead.

Bring a fully charged cell, power bars, water, and a winter sleeping bag - then it's just a small adventure.

It does sound like you answered your own question though.

Happy Driving

[39Ronin]

I brought sockets, wrenches, air compressor, battery jumper/cables, diesel, oil, DOT 3 brake fluid, coolant, washer fluid, straight blade (to scrape the numbers written on the windshield.) Out of all that I used sockets, wrenches, battery jumper (did not work thus used the sockets and replaced the battery), air compressor, washer fluid, straight blade and diesel. Also you may need to bleed the engine like I did, if they emptied all the diesel out. Check all your wheel lugs, lights, indicators and of course your brakes. The temperature guage should remain on the "C" or slightly above while driving. Its an adventure but minimise your risk by being prepared.

[BCDelica]

I brought sockets, wrenches, air compressor, battery jumper/cables, diesel, oil, DOT 3 brake fluid, coolant, washer fluid, straight blade (to scrape the numbers written on the windshield.) Out of all that I used sockets, wrenches, battery jumper (did not work thus used the sockets and replaced the battery), air compressor, washer fluid, straight blade and diesel. Also you may need to bleed the engine like I did, if they emptied all the diesel out. Check all your wheel lugs, lights, indicators and of course your brakes. The temperature guage should remain on the "C" or slightly above while driving. Its an adventure but minimise your risk by being prepared.

Completely agree, but that's a but much to bring on a plane or bus - hence the fully serviced shop near by!

[Frisch]

Joel,

Sounds like our vans may be traveling together. Mine is due on the seventh. I plan to just drive it straight to the island, but I had considered taking it to Japanoid for some work.

As for the battery, I'll be traveling on transit, so I expect to pay for a boost. As for drained diesel lines.....I never considered that. Anyone else had that experience?

David

[EnviroImports.com]

your fuel lines shouldent be drained, as they Drive the van into the container... but they are suposed to be below 1/4 tank of fuel. Delicas are to tall to ramp up so they won't have all the fluids drained. I recomend taking a jug of water, liter or two of oil. a ten mill socket will do most things on the van.A phillips screwdriver... I also take some windex and a razor scraper. your van stands a 50/50 shot of needing a boost, sometimes if customs inspects they LIKE to leave a door open to kill the battery. if your picking up in Richmond, your about a 5 min drive to the petro can with diesel. well at least I am on my way to the ferry. If your going for a fair drive like your talking about , check the color of your coolant, I would get the oil changed and coolant flushed befor going up any mountains, I do that as soon as they get over here on the island. you need a TOP, (temp operating permit) from icbc, for the day you will be traveling, and your on your way.

[psilosin]

I wouldn't worry too much about the drive from Van to Keremeous since you are never really too far from help. But if you can allow yourself a day in the GVA it definately doesn't hurt to go for an oil change and the usual included quicky inspection just to be on teh safe side. Check the condition of your tires...all 3 of the vehicles I imported had poor tires.

Of the 3 imports, I've picked up 2 and driven them back to Penticton. First one I needed front tires but thats it. Second was much more involved...dead battery, 0 fuel, front and rear control arms bent to hell (undrivable over 10kph...I still blame Boyd Agrawash for that...dragging the dead car onto their wash platform) and the tires had lots of cracks in the sidewalls but good tread. Luckily there was a Walmart on Annasis Island (battery) with a helpful employee (drove me on his break to get a jerry of gas) and a helpful repair shop across the street (RZ auto) who got me on the road by the afternoon so I still made it back to Penticton on my one-day permit (I took a chance on my tires which turned out OK but probably wasn't smart)...stressful day but since everything worked out I remember it as an adventure :).

[TardisDeli]

Hi Joel, I wouldnt advise the drive away. When we first saw ours right after they brought it to the shop it was in good condition, but one tire was flat, 2 wipers crap, windows too dusty to see out, spider web over the engine (eeek), battery dead, headlights wrong so hard to see the road, brake rotors warped, old NON-winterised diesel. Expensive tow if you breakdown on the desolate highway. And then the spouse says it was your bad idea. Hmm.

You are welcome to stay over at our place, 20 minutes from the dock, near Cariboo Hill in Burnaby. Guest bedroom, a back yard to work in, basic tools, and more importantly the internet to check all the wonderful info on this website. And our Tardis Deli to compare. And John of Rocky Mountain Imports for all your parts needs on speed dial phone.

Seriously, happy to help a Delica owner. Cheers, Christine.

[jskrepnek]

Thank you thank you for the advice ...

It sounds like the Delica will ultimately answer this question for me.

Does ICBC allow you to purchase one-day permits back-to-back, in case I can't get the van up-to-snuff and get back home same-day?

Thanks again for the help,

-- Joel

[coastal]

Yes, you can purchase a second temporary permit.
Craig

[glasseye]

Seriously, happy to help a Delica owner. Cheers, Christine.

Sorry to hi-jack, but I just hafta share. I have '74 VW camper (50K miles!) that I've just returned to health with the assistance of a VW forum. Since it's just too much of an antique for long distance highway travel (at least for me), I'm thinking of selling it and getting a Delica. Part of my difficult decision is the superb level of help available from the VW bunch.

It's very encouraging to see the level of support here is equal to that of the VW forum. Congrats, all. This is a great place to be.

Peter