Airstream Sprinter Westfalia purchase walkthru checklist

Zach Woods

New member
The following walkthru checklist at least hits the high points for the Airstream Sprinter Westfalia.

This should be done on top of any generic RV checklists.

This is archival . . .

THOROUGH WALKTHROUGH

Check cabin heater and run it for a few minutes
Check top side windows for small cracks aroiund screws (small spiders)
Try to close all screens and shades
Open skylight
Check sani black water guage.
One thing I found is that the units are not fully charged when rolled off the lot - ask them to plug into shore power for 48 hours before you buy .
Pull out the shower and hang it up and then put it back.
Check for rust on the propane tank
Turn on the propane and sniff for leaks. (I had one)
Turn on generator and make sure the plug symbol shows in teh computer panel.
Unfurl the awning and check for rips
 

Zach Woods

New member
Expanded list - also archival:

1) Run Air conditioning (at least one hour) and check for leaks
(open the door under smoke detector and check the inside edge if the
hose is not connected properly water condensate drains here. (Not
good, really bad for the DVD/TV as it drips right on to it.)
2) Bathroom door handle and locking mechanism. Tight, but not too
tight as it will then need adjusting.
3) Shower handle. Ensure that it retracts and extends with out
binding.
4) Front shade Snaps for curtain; install curtain. Mine were missing.
5) Check all six shades nets and blinds make sure they retract and
that the magnets lock.
6) Ensure that the heater goes on and will go off at temperature
setting.
7) Ensure driver and passenger seat belt function correctly.
8) Check generator ensure it runs smooth.
10) Halogen Lights Rear
11) Halogen Lights Stove
12) Sky Light; check the two lights on the sky light check they are
functional, check the lights next to the sky light, open and close
the sky light and inspect the roof etc.
13) Fluorescent light above the rear seats
14) Fluorescent light in the bathroom
15) Refrigerator/ freezer turn it on and run it at its coldest -4
ensure it works correctly take a thermometer.
16) Stove Fan inspect extractor vent for bowing in the metal etc.
17) TV/DVD bring along a DVD to check it.
18) Antenna
19) Microwave
20) Water pump internal switch, external switch, rear of vehicle
through double doors. Check that the water turns on when you open
the valves at the head, shower, and kitchen. (Note head only runs
water when shower switch-valve is actuated unless you are connected
to city water then it works with out the pump) The pump
automatically turns off I shut it off also.
21) Familiarize your self with the controller in the cab over head
learn how to use the;
i) Set the time
ii) Learn how to set the heater thermostat
iii) Learn the grey water level indicator (easy)
iv) (Easy) check the cab light; you have to pop the plastic
cover off and perhaps unplug the power to the light to access it.
The extra wires drop down on the bulbs and melt onto the bulbs) zip
tie them up)
22) Check the water fill look for cracks in the black plastic panel.
23) Look for cracks in the gel coat inside the vehicle over head; I
had a crack above the smoke detector.
24) Get them to test the smoke alarm, propane alarm etc. (My
batteries were dead)
Check all 120 volt outlets
1) Next to the air conditioning unit 2) Above stove 3) rear of
vehicle.
25) Check Black water tank level indicator.
26) Check the cup holders make sure some one did not break them.
27) Check the vehicle under body for leaks especially the
transmission; people have neglected this and have had to have the
transmission rebuilt. There was a leak on my unit; from the drain
plug the mechanic told me. No one fixed it in transit from Florida
to Fontana I hope it did not damage or cause undue ware on my
transnmission.
28) Check the awning. Cracks were an issue as apparently torn shades.
29) Have them flush the fresh water tank and give you a fresh fill.
You can dump the water yourself from the external dump on the left
side just unscrew the cap and open the valve if you want to ensure
that you start with fresh water. They recommend that you sterilize
it also as water may have been sitting for a while; I don't drink
from the storage water. I found that there is plenty of storage for
a case of water under the microwave to the right of the circuit
breaker.
30) Check you have a full propane tank and Fuel tank.
31) Check the net on the child retainer that lifts up from the bed
and locks under the top side windows (port holes) my net had torn
and some one sowed it back together and it looks messy.
32) Check the water heater, light it; it will only need five minutes
to heat up the water. Just familiarize yourself with it any way.
33) Check all windows for leaks,cracks and sealing.

Note: If you turn off the breaker (the red handle thingy) at the
sink next to the water pump switch you will have to reset the above
cab controller including turning on the refrigerator.
I know this list is long; but I hope it may save head aches later on.
 

mogul2us

Member
Excellent list! This should be extremely helpful to anyone looking to acquire an Airstream/Westfalia sprinter!

Maybe I could add a couple more:

- Run the air conditioner wide open (best when hot and humid outside) running off the generator for 1 hour. As suggested, check for A/C leaks or condensate drips. And while the A/C is roaring away, turn on a few lights, the stove fen fan, and then put a cup of water in the microwave and heat it for 60-90 seconds. See if the breaker trips from overload. The generator SHOULD be able to run both plus some lights and stuff...barely. If it's not hot enough outside to work the A/C hard, turn on the house heater and run them against each other for 1 hour at max load while on the generator.
- Test the Sprinter auxiliary heater for at least 10-15 minutes with engine cold (switch on dash). Should sound like a small jet engine.
- Test the TV reception on the antenna...should be good (if not great).
- Open the skylight. Moisten your finger and hold it to the moisture sensor, see if the skylight closes automatically.
- Fill the black tank about half full (water will do) and test the level indicator (LEDs).
- Flush the toilet (not connected to city water) and verify the water pump shuts off when done.

The only of these problems I personally have had are the A/C condensate drips, the toilet switch sticking, the black tank LEDs, and the Sprinter auxiliary heater malfunction. But others have had the A/C-generator load problems which to me seems quite serious.

I really don't feel that the Westy is trouble-prone, so don't be scared away from getting one. It is a complicated masterpiece however, and there are just some things that need a little debugging early on.

mogul2us

(We should get up a list of some of the cool "undocumented" features sometime...my two favorites are how to run the A/C on "fan only" and the sink/shower head in the bathroom that can go from stream to spray).
 

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