The Vanagon Dictionary
Get to know your Volkswagen.
Look up Vanagon, EuroVan and Volkswagen Bus terms, then follow the definitions to their sources.
About the Dictionary and its data
Definitions and source records come from the shared Dictionary, which remains available at dictionary.vanagon.com.
API and data detailsResults for “water”
45 public entries · page 2 of 2
Windshield washer pump
Body and interiorEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Pump that sprays water to clean windshield
- windshield
- washer
- pump
Radiator
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The front-mounted heat exchanger in a water-cooled Vanagon's engine-coolant circuit. It releases heat from circulating coolant to outside air. Air-cooled Type 2 buses do not use an engine-coolant radiator.
- engine
- water-cooled
- cooling
Coolant mixture ratio
Cooling and heatingEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Proportion of antifreeze to water in the cooling system
- cooling
- engine
Dry camping
Camping and van lifeEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Camping without access to external power or water sources
- camping
- off-grid
Drain Valve
Cooling and heatingEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Valve that allows water to drain from the air conditioning system
- ac
- vanagon
Pitted
Body and interiorEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Chrome that has been damaged by water or age, resulting in small blemishes.
- chrome
- damage
Headlight Washer System
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
System that sprays water or cleaning fluid onto headlight glass for improved visibility.
- lighting
- safety
Coolant expansion tank
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The pressurized tank in the water-cooled Vanagon cooling circuit that accommodates coolant expansion and provides a fill and bleed point. It is separate from the low-pressure coolant refill reservoir; the names are sometimes confused in parts listings.
- engine
- water-cooled
- cooling
Fording Depth
Body and interiorEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Distance between the tire contact point and the air intake system of the engine
- water
- depth
- clearance
Coolant refill reservoir
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The accessible coolant container used to replenish the water-cooled Vanagon system as coolant moves between the pressurized expansion tank and the reservoir. It is not the pressurized expansion tank itself; verify the part by the vehicle's cooling-system layout.
- engine
- water-cooled
- cooling
Coolant temperature switch
Cooling and heatingEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Switch that monitors the coolant temperature in the engine and activates the auxiliary water pump
- coolant
- temperature
- switch
SCR catalytic converter
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
a device that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by converting them into nitrogen and water
- emissions
- exhaust
- catalyst
Coolant pipe thermal switch
Cooling and heatingEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Thermal switch that monitors the temperature of the coolant pipe in Waterboxer engines
- coolant
- pipe
- thermal
- switch
Exhaust pipe before rear silencer
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Exhaust pipe located before the rear silencer in Vanagon/T25, excluding Syncro models
- exhaust
- vanagon
- waterboxer
Exhaust intermediate pipe
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
An intermediate section of the exhaust system that joins adjoining exhaust components before the silencer. Paruzzi lists this part for Vanagon/T25 1.9- and 2.1-liter Waterboxer models from October 1985 through July 1992, with a 50 mm diameter at both ends. Earlier systems and different engine codes may use other sections; match the actual exhaust layout and catalog reference.
- exhaust
- vanagon
- waterboxer
Sink cabinet
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The camper interior cabinet assembly built around the sink and its water fittings. In some Vanagon Westfalia layouts it also contains or adjoins the refrigerator, storage, and electrical controls.
- camper
- interior
- kitchen
Heater heat exchanger
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
A small radiator that transfers heat from engine coolant to air for the cabin heating system. Vanagons may have front and additional rear heat exchangers, depending on equipment and market.
- engine
- water-cooled
- heating
electrolyte
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
In the lead-acid batteries discussed in Gerry’s battery FAQ, the liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and water in contact with the plates. Its density changes with charge state. This meaning is specific to that battery chemistry; it is not a generic name for every camper battery’s contents.
- battery
- chemistry
Camper 12-volt battery
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The 12-volt battery supply used for camper electrical loads such as interior lighting, the water pump, and controls on the documented Vanagon Westfalia. Whether a particular vehicle has a separate auxiliary battery depends on its model and later modifications.
- camper
- electrical
- battery
Fan shroud
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The housing around the engine cooling fan that directs airflow across the cylinders and cylinder heads on an air-cooled VW engine. Type 2 shrouds differ by engine and model year; this term does not describe the liquid-coolant radiator used on water-cooled Vanagons.
- engine
- air-cooled
- cooling
Specific gravity
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The ratio of a liquid’s density to that of water. In the flooded lead-acid battery context of Gerry’s FAQ, electrolyte specific gravity helps estimate charge and compare cells. It is different from electrolyte level; temperature and battery design affect interpretation. It is not a measurement for a sealed lithium camper battery.
- batteries
- specific
- gravity