Search found 79 matches

by phil_b
31 Oct 2018, 21:46
Forum: Electrical & Instrumentation
Topic: Solar panel recommendations
Replies: 24
Views: 9536

Re: Solar panel recommendations

Steve - I think your right about quality, unfortunately with the semi flexible it hard to determine which are good. I thought buying from a proper retailer rather than an eBay Chinese import would have given me a better product but not so it seems. The panel I am now considering is MSC approved so s...
by phil_b
17 Oct 2018, 20:34
Forum: Electrical & Instrumentation
Topic: Solar panel recommendations
Replies: 24
Views: 9536

Re: Solar panel recommendations

My experience with solar has been let down by poor quality panels. Original setup 2x50w semi flexible with 10amp pwm controller. Worked brilliant for about 14 months then one panel failed, sorry out of warranty said Renytek. Second panel lasted a further 6 months before giving up. Second setup on a ...
by phil_b
25 Jun 2018, 17:45
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: Juddering on a hill start
Replies: 6
Views: 2830

Re: Juddering on a hill start

Had the same problem a few years back, also with an AAZ conversion. Very severe judder first thing in first or reverse, but eventually it started doing it whenever moving off from a standstill, only way to overcome was lots of revs and slipping the clutch a lot. Tried all the usual, engine mounts , ...
by phil_b
16 Jun 2018, 08:24
Forum: Campers
Topic: 3 way or Compressor
Replies: 20
Views: 6800

Re: 3 way or Compressor

From my experience with 3 way and compressor (Waeco CRX80) Waeco cools quicker, is much more tilt tolerant, needs good batteries and preferably solar panels. But noisy in a small van, some people turn them off at night because of this, but sort of defeats the purpose, especially in summer! 3 way, co...
by phil_b
22 Mar 2017, 17:13
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: AAZ engine parts availability
Replies: 10
Views: 3902

Re: AAZ engine parts availability

Hi, I might be able to help with some used AAZ spares for free if any use. Complete but partially stripped due to excessive oil consumption. It was very worn top ring on cylinder number 4. I ended up swapping the engine for another good one (lucky find). As far as I am aware rest of engine good, but...
by phil_b
02 Jul 2015, 16:44
Forum: Campers
Topic: LPG tank ground clearance
Replies: 5
Views: 2506

Re: LPG tank ground clearance

Hi,
We have a 30L tank fitted, but I think the diameter is the same as a 20L. On standard suspension with full profile 15" wheels/tyres we have 9" of clearance. Not had any ground clearance problems even with some mildly adventurous off road driving in Spain and Morocco.
Phil
by phil_b
30 Jun 2015, 14:44
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - Updated
Replies: 9
Views: 5897

Re: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - UPDATE

Further update on the state of my old AAZ engine - now partially stripped This is what I found so far - signs of very heavy valve contact on piston No 4, light contact on No3, both carboned up, this has not occurred in my ownership so it had been running like this for at least 55k miles, I'm guessin...
by phil_b
04 May 2015, 21:21
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Valve replacement 1.6td
Replies: 7
Views: 3182

Re: Valve replacement 1.6td

That engine breather smoke looks pretty bad to me, although I would make sure the engine has been run good and hot in case its just condensation evaporating from not being not used over the winter. If it's just as bad or worse after a good run I don't think adjusting timing or fuelling will have any...
by phil_b
04 May 2015, 20:37
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Reconditioning engine
Replies: 3
Views: 1620

Re: Reconditioning engine

97k doesn't seem that high to me, although it depends on how hard a life it's had and if it's been properly serviced. Do you already have reliability problems with the engine? Although I don't know that engine specifically I imagine that most reliability issues are related to fuelling, ignition and ...
by phil_b
03 May 2015, 17:21
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Valve replacement 1.6td
Replies: 7
Views: 3182

Re: Valve replacement 1.6td

Yes, breather is the one you identified going from the cam cover. Your oil consumption is very high and smoke from the cam breather hole isn't a good sign, as it could indicate excessive blow past the rings, especially if the smoke smells like exhaust fumes. Maybe the next step would be to do a comp...
by phil_b
03 May 2015, 14:36
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: The next mod - what gearbox mod or replacement for the AAZ?
Replies: 14
Views: 5952

Re: The next mod - what gearbox mod or replacement for the AAZ?

We have a 5 speed ABN coded gearbox, which I believe is from a 1.9 Petrol van, on our AAZ conversion together with 15" wheels and 195 15C tyres which have a tall profile. This suits the AAZ engine well and gives 20mph per 1000 revs in top so 70mph comes at 3500rpm, although we tend to keep at o...
by phil_b
03 May 2015, 14:06
Forum: Mechanical
Topic: Valve replacement 1.6td
Replies: 7
Views: 3182

Re: Valve replacement 1.6td

Hi, unburnt or poorly burnt diesel usually shows up as white smoke not blue, if its blue that would suggest oil is getting into the combustion cycle somehow. This could be coming from worn piston rings, turbo oil seals or valve guide seals, another possibility is that the engine breather is blowing ...
by phil_b
10 Apr 2015, 08:33
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - Updated
Replies: 9
Views: 5897

Re: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption

Update - found a good used AAZ at very good price which I fitted over the Easter weekend, did a 200 mile round trip yesterday and everything seems good again, also much quieter mechanically. Going to strip the old engine at leisure and repair as a spare.
by phil_b
16 Mar 2015, 16:02
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - Updated
Replies: 9
Views: 5897

Re: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption

Thanks for the replies, would be great if it was just worn valve guide seals, could they alone result in oil consumption of approx a pint every 100 to 150 miles? Anybody done this job without taking the head off on a VW diesel engine?

Cheers Phil
by phil_b
15 Mar 2015, 14:04
Forum: T25 Alternative Engine Forum
Topic: AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - Updated
Replies: 9
Views: 5897

AAZ - sudden excessive oil consumption - Updated

Our hard working and reliable AAZ has possibly reached the end of its life, it was fitted 55,000 miles ago (it already had 112k miles under its belt in a Golf) and other than an oil pipe and head gasket failure in the first 1000 miles of fitting has been 100% reliable with just routine servicing etc...