Club 80-90 Forums

This is nothing to do with any possible parts quality - it has been running hot, pure and simple, and that is always an ancillary issue - cooling, timing, mixture. The thermostat has nothing to do with the chokes. - it controls the cooling flap position. It "should" fail safe to open flaps...

That's not failed because it ran out of oil - it would seize the bottom end way before doing the pistons. As SilverBullet said, it's failed because it was far too hot - that's why the pistons are done-in, and the oil being too hot gave sod all oil pressure. Problem on these is the oil switch is only...

That "shim" stuff in the sump is probably the remains of a big end bearing.

If a pushrod is bent then I would bin it Prices vary because they are different - the VW Heritage pushrod says it is a genuine VW item. The others are cheaper because they are aftermarket cut-to-length. Remember also the WBX used steel pushrods, not aluminium ones. I stick to original (used) steel o...

It works fine there - the rad has such large cooling capacity and there is such good airflow that it is perfectly OK.

I guess I ought to disconnect and drain and refill the oil lines to the cooler each time I change the oil , but it is a faff to do so, so I have only ever done that twice in 10-11 years on that engine. Most times I just drain the main sump only. I figured with the oil temp being kept under control b...

On my 2.2 DJ in the Beetle I use the early 1.9 cooling system without provision fôr the factory cooler/heat exchanger, so I use a MOCAL 80°c sandwich plate and a cooler up front. Oil temp rarely goes over 90°c. I use 1/2" ID hose. I also use a 30mm pump. In a bus setup you will need to clearanc...

Sorry to jump back a bit, but I've been away for a few days, and just caught up...

kevtherev wrote:Camshafts are no longer available.

Yes they are: https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/0251090 ... waterboxer

Not cheap, but I just fitted one in my own DJ rebuild.

Yes - DJ pistons will give more power.

MV and DJ heads are the same. Difference is in the piston only. Higher octane requirement is because of the increased compression ratio.

The other thing to consider is changing the thermostat. As you say, even on the 1.9 the oil temp is coolant temp driven. The VR6 thermostat is a direct swap and is a lower temp (80°c instead of 87°c). I run it in my 2.1 Caravelle (late cooling system) and the 2.2 WBX in my Beetle with early cooling ...

Itchyfeet - The change to two oil switches was at the time the case/bearings changed, but early cases can be easily machined for 2nd oil switch - many re-con engines have had this done so an early case can be used in a late bus. SilverBullet - as yours is a factory re-con and you are of course measu...

Yes - the numbers on the top web are stamped when the case halves are first put together and machined.

It's the extra "2" in the code that I was pointing out - not the WWO

I use Valvoline VR1 20w50 mineral oil - made a significant improvement in hot oil pressures on our Beetle Cup Aircooled race engine, so use it on the 2.1 WBX Caravelle as well. About £25 for 5 litres off ebay but worth every penny in my book.