Hello All I'm interested in buying a van local to me. It's a USA import, the bodywork is really solid and an original Westy interior in pretty good condition. It has the 1800 engine married to an auto box (G3?). I'm happy with future spares availability for most items, but haven't seen anything offered for the box. It all rus fine, and in fact I'm having the van for a three day trial before purchase. I'd really appreciate comments on what I might be letting myself in for with the auto box. Thanks
hey, I also have an auto, they're great for easy cruising, Id also be grateful for others opinions on autos, fuel consumption is a little frustrating as they cover a few miles less than the manuals, I believe this is down to them having 3 gears and tent to rev fairly high all the time, but saying that, are any of them economical really? probably between 5 and 8 miles less per gallon so not huge but something to think about, Id be very interested in driving a manual and then make my mind up, which is why being able to have it for 3 days is a great advantage for you to use is (and abuse it) during that time, not too hard but try to put it through every eventuality you may come across if you had it. Camp in it, assemble everything you would as if you were camping, the roof etc. I bought mine thinking it had everything I would need, but its only through using it a few times you realize that the little things you thought were great actually turn out to be the things you want to change in time. Mine is a 2000cc which may be a different box but I doubt it. you ride the brakes a lot too, going down hills you cant use the engines gearing to slow you down. So over time brake pads will wear slightly quicker, but down hills on A roads I slip it into neutral just to save fuel, I'm tight like that, I hope its ok to do lol. I have also asked if it is possible to swap boxes easily and the short answer is...no, from what Ive heard anyway. I think to get a complete reconditioning of the box if it was to go wrong though could cost nearly a grand too, that may be worth checking out too. Not to sound all neg, a solid bus from the US with everything you want from it may weigh up in your favour and you may be willing to put up with the cons. when will you be test driving it?
Hi Brucieboy Thanks for the reply. I'm getting the van to try early next week and plan to give it a thorough going over! I'm expecting it to work really well or the owner wouldn't let me try it. Just wondering what the potential grief might be a year or two down the line if I drive,say, 5000 miles a year.
If its well maintained, eg Auto transmission fluid should be cherry red colour, then 5000 miles should be no problem at all, where abouts are you based buddy, and where will you picking the bus up from?
not sure on the phrase G3 for the box, early 1700cc type 4 autos had a 003 box and I presume some of the 1800's did too this box is hard to get spares for now and it works on a vacumn so you can easily tell if it's the one your future van has, the later 010 box was used on some 1800's and all 2 litres and is found in many vw/audi etc and is still widely available, these are mechanical linkaged and a lot better to find parts for, don't let that worry you though there are a few on here who know their stuff and will always help with parts providers. the fuel economy is a fair bit worse with the auto as it's only a 3 speed and will still be in 2nd at 55mph if you decide to peg it...... best mpg I've had is prob 20 driving like your nan or 12 driving like a man.....
Yes, I meant 003. Not sure where 'G' came from. That mpg sounds like poo! I shall monitor carefully, but drive normally, on my three-day try-out. I'm based in Suffolk.
wow thats low MPG!! whats the most amount of miles have you got out of a tank? Im sure I return slightly better than that but cant really be sure, i hope its not that low! if it is I may think about selling mine and getting a manual!
is it something with mine, or is it common thing, but when I fill to the brim, it takes AGES for the dial to get to half way then the second half takes like 30 miles to disappear! is it something wrong with the sender do you think? I need to do a fuel test now I have got the carbs sorted but I think it'll be off the road for this year now
Shouldn't do that too much same as you shouldn't tow it in neutral. Oil is only circulating when in gear and if moving whilst in neutral for long periods you can seize you box.
Re 'coasting', the Haynes manual I have says that lubrication is inadequate if the engine is not running. Hence a limit of 30 miles recommended if vehicle being towed. If you're coasting with the engine running, then presumably OK. Anyway, coasting for over 30 miles would be pretty good going!
The oil is circulating when in neutral... Hence why you check the atf level with the engine running and the box in neutral
Getting parts for the 003 gearbox is easy, I have rebuilt a few and no special tools required to do it either. its a good box the 010 was better but that came in later varients and 4 speed not 3 speed like the 003 but its a good strong box.
I got a master rebuild kit from cobratransmissions.com in the US $100, every seal, clutch plate the lot.
Good question the 010 superseded the 003, so it obviously fits a type 4 engine the big question is if the final drive was changed to allow that to happen, the engine as far as I am aware did not change apart from it was a 2L.
Getting bits-n-bobs organised ready for the van, like engine and transmission oils etc. What oil do I need for the final drive and how often should it be changed?
Standard gearbox oil for the final drive, it was designed not to be changed so I was told but to be honest not often I would say.
