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 “System”
686 public entries · page 28 of 29
Vacuum source
Tools and maintenance terminologyEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A device or mechanism that generates a vacuum, used for various purposes such as bleeding the cooling system.
- vacuum
- source
Grean P/N: G 000 100
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A type of grease recommended for lubricating clutch disc hubs
- lubricant
- clutch
Front bearing thrust washers
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Small, flat washers that help to absorb thrust loads on the front bearings
- bearings
- thrust
- washers
VR engine
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Volkswagen engine with cylinder banks at a 10.6-degree V angle, allowing for a single cylinder head
- engine
- vr
Sealing Ring
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A ring-shaped component that provides a seal between two parts, such as the cylinder head and engine block
- sealing
- ring
Bypass filter
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A type of filter that allows oil to bypass the main filter and flow directly to the engine.
- oil
- filter
- engine
Piston ring gaps
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Gaps between the piston rings, which must be offset to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber
- engine
- piston
Throttle body and switches
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
The component that regulates airflow into the engine and the switches that monitor throttle position
- throttle
- switches
Cylinder head to exhaust manifold gaskets
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Gaskets used to seal connection between cylinder head and exhaust manifold
- engine
- exhaust
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
Generator D+ or alternator B+ terminal boot
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A protective cover for the positive terminal of a generator or alternator
- generator
- alternator
- terminal
Connecting rod
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A rod connecting the piston to the crankshaft, allowing the piston to move freely up and down in the cylinder.
- engine
- piston
- crankshaft
Shielded 6.3 mm spade connector
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A type of electrical connector with a 6.3 mm spade shape and shielding for protection
- connector
- electrical
Idle/full throttle switch
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A switch that signals the engine computer when the throttle is in the idle or full throttle position
- engine
- throttle
Bias ply
Engine and fuel systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Original type of tire used on VWs through the mid 1960s, with plies that run diagonally from one bead to the other.
- tire
- engine
AFM
Bus terminologyEnglish · source definition
Air Flow Meter. the silver box next to the air cleaner box on the fuel injection model buses . it measured the volume of air entering the intake system, and allowed the computer to adjust the amount of gasoline required.
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
Camper water pump
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The small electric pump that moves water from an onboard camper tank to the sink faucet when the tank-water mode is selected. It is separate from the engine's coolant-circulation pump.
- camper
- water-system
- electrical
Camper propane tank
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
A fuel container and supply connection serving propane appliances fitted to some camper conversions. Tank location, capacity, regulator, lines, and supported appliances are installation-specific; use the vehicle and appliance documentation for operation or service.
- camper
- appliance
- fuel-system
Tapered current charger
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
A charger whose delivered current decreases as charging progresses. In Gerry’s lead-acid battery FAQ this contrasts with a constant-current charger. The term describes charging behaviour, not a guarantee of automatic shut-off or compatibility with a particular camper battery chemistry.
- battery
- charger
Fresh-water tank
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
An onboard tank that stores water for a camper's sink supply. Capacity, location, filler, vent, and drain differ by conversion; it is not necessarily a potable-water-rated tank unless the specific installation is documented as such.
- camper
- water-system
- interior
EGR
Bus terminologyEnglish · source definition
Exhaust Gas Recirculation. One of the emission control techniques, in which gases are sucked from the exhaust pipes (before the muffler) and re-circulated through the intake manifold (to be 'burned' again). the high heat associated with exhaust gases required expensive metals ... so replacing/repairing this system can be costly.
Sulfated
Electrical systemsEnglish · machine-assisted draft
Describes a lead-acid battery affected by persistent lead-sulfate deposits on its plates. Gerry’s FAQ associates this condition with prolonged discharged storage and reduced serviceability. This is different from corrosion visible on external terminals, and the label alone does not establish that a battery can be restored.
- battery
- condition
Camper sink drain
VW Bus and camper partsEnglish · source definition
The drain pipe and outlet that carry used sink water out of the camper sink. Some vintage camper layouts discharge through an open outlet rather than a grey-water tank, so the installed arrangement should be checked on the vehicle.
- camper
- water-system
- plumbing