Engine woes for new owner - haven't even received my V5 yet :(

Over a thousand pound im afraid
I dont like recomending companys for engine rebuilds as the net is litterd with good and bad comments about most of them

My engine needs a rebuild and ive sent it to the guy whos painting my bus and making some one off mods for me
I trust him and know he will never cut a corner with an engine build

He is a sponsor on here and his username is Paul Weeding

I also know a lot of people who work in the aircooled industry that reccomend laurie petit and id be happy to use him myself

I reccomend both of the above because i know if your engine goes bang they will honour the warrenty

 

Cheapest is EliteVW and they also honour their garauntees. Some find them a little rough and ready, gruff perhaps, but you can't beat the prices.
after that it's anything up to as much as you've got. You get what you pay for to a degree. You'll read good and bad about all of them. I like Laurie because he's on your side and will do it as cheap as possible, won't replace good bits or suggest you buy stuff that's not needed. T1's are expensive to rebuild because generally everythings pretty well knackered. T4's more cost effective because though that parts are more expensive, more parts are re-useable. Is that about right Paul Weeding ?

 

Hi Chris - I can't offer any technical advice, but just wanted to say I really feel for you. What should have been an exciting journey turned sour for you. Don't give up though - keep smiling. Hopefully you'll soon be sorted and off camping and enjoying those waves from other VWs

 

Hi Chris....DON'T GIVE UP....at least not just yet... Unfortunately you've learnt the hard way that these busses simply aren't made for speeds like that or should I say 1600 engines... My recon engine was off eBay, but I think I got lucky because my engine is great, not let me down so far *touch wood*
Don't get disheartened because nothing beats cruising along listening to your favourite tunes....

When I got my bus it was a quick hello and goodbye for 3 years whilst she was brought back from the dead... Even now she likes to test my patience but you really have to have a chilled out look on it otherwise they would drive you crazy....

When I first got her back my drive shaft fell off, the AA fixed it and 50 miles down the road the other one fell off.... Towed home, then my gear stick snapped off in my hand about an hour before I was doing a wedding for someone.... I had an oil leak, engine out etc.... And now my gears are mental... It's all fun and games but more than worth it...

Not an easy ride by any means but just don't give up, you've got a lovely bus and when you're on the road again you'll be beaming from ear to ear...

 

Hope you get your bus fixed...they are worth it in the end.....I think!!

 

Welcome, commiserations and good luck Chris.

Although I have a two litre lump which seems to be quite happy at 70mph, after reading this I'm going to start taking things s-l-o-w.

 

nowhere to go and all day to get there is my bus driving mindset!

 

Also you'll use quite a lot less petrol at 60 compared with 70 if that's an issue.
70 is ok in a T4 if everythings balanced and timed nicely, but if your carbs are out of balance, one side will be working harder than the 70mph speed should really require. So maybe one side is working for 80mph and the other 60mph if you see what I mean...

 

I've had a good chat with the local to to guy for engine rebuilds, I can't get hold of laurie petit for price comparisons.
He has said the metal flakes and bits from the pistons after I over heated it first time have made there way around the engine and into the big end causing my problems so looks like its a major rebuild

I am going to drop the engine, remove as much as I can to reduce strip down costs, then get it out to Nigel Allen who is going to split the case etc and have a good look to see the damage.

Looking at the tune of £1500 for the rebuild, he has said anyone hat does a rebuild for less than that is not doin the job properly, and should be dubious that all parts or crankshaft etc are being looked at.

Not sure if this is the road to go down, or get an off the shelf vege or simaler, or to get a second hand engine, get it bench tested before buying and drop that in with all of my existing ancillieries.

 

That's about right dude
Type 4s are very hardy beasts, I still go to town on them when I rebuild them, but you're less likely to find one with a spun bearing/end float/needs a regrind/line bore
What I generally do with them is all new bearings, cam shaft and followers, plus any other bits I find... mostly seems to be heads that need new valves and guides these days!!

Type 1s generally need a lot more work, crank regrinds, case line bores.... if they've had any metal go through them, then all of the internals will need replacing or work!!

2l is a different beast altogether!! Now that is more than happy to do 70... but like Zed says, carbs need to be kept balanced, and should be checked as part of your service!!

 

I have put 20000 miles on a recon 1641 of uncertain origin in the last three years.
Much of it motorway cruising 60 to65 mph and short bursts at 75 mph.
But I have an oil temperature gauge that tells me enough is enough before it gets fatal.
Best pace is cruising at 118 degrees C which is still a bit too hot.


Only stopped for breakdowns when bits fell off - alternator to battery or spark plug lead or plug fell out. All my fault all easily fixed.

Stick with it , enjoy !

 

My options on the table ATM are strip out my engine, remove all ancillaries myself and get the block up to Nigel Allen for a top and bottom end rebuild to the tune of around £1200

Or take a punt on a £650 1600 engine pulled from a guys van 'working' get that bench tested by Nigel to see if its ok (Nigel recommended getting it bench tested before buying it so would do that)

 

sorry only just seen this topic

yes Nigel is a good bet for a local pro engine rebuild

if you want cheaper there are a few people on flubber dubbers that might take it on as a beer money project

Ade likes to build engines in his spare time

Bren has just taken over an engineering work shop and has had many VW's

Speedwell68 has built an engine before and is currently out of work

westcountry yam yam runs a VW workshop

baycrazy is a stay at home dad that's really a lorry mechanic and a VW owner for many years

i don't know if they will but it might be worth asking and could save you a pile of cash

 

You can get a recon 1600 with 12 months warranty for £650, that's got to be less risky than another second hand lump! No bench test will tell you if it's ever been run a bit too hot at some time in its life.

 

Elite VW will sell you a swapsie engine with new bearings etc and a warrenty for £575 so why pay £650 for an unknown one?

 

I've just had a look on elite vw, didn't know you could get a recon that cheap, what's the warranty like, any known issues with these engines?

What are people's opinions on them over going for the £1200 ish rebuild?