1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
What I should have said on my last reply .......Good on ya for taking the time and effort to go look at it , top man !
Steve
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1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Cheers pal.
Just trying to put something back in the "pot' after all these year of taking out.
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
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1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
That is fair enough, I am sure the experience will warrant a good set of tools and a book or two
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
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1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
They have two Haynes manuals. And zero spanners
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Well, it's a start
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
- ajsimmo
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Thanks Mocki. How did you know I'd be along soon?
That engine has been hot, and I mean really hot, like driven with no coolant in it hot, and the give away is the loose head nuts. It gets so hot that the ally case expands beyond the elastic limit of the steel studs, and they're also red hot, so they get stretched and tempered at the new length. Then it all cools down leaving the studs longer than they were, hence loose nuts. I bet if you take the heads off you'll probably find the combustion chambers eaten away, vapourised around the valve seats, and maybe melted piston tops too. That engine will almost certainly be (burnt) toast.
Soz to give bad news .
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That engine has been hot, and I mean really hot, like driven with no coolant in it hot, and the give away is the loose head nuts. It gets so hot that the ally case expands beyond the elastic limit of the steel studs, and they're also red hot, so they get stretched and tempered at the new length. Then it all cools down leaving the studs longer than they were, hence loose nuts. I bet if you take the heads off you'll probably find the combustion chambers eaten away, vapourised around the valve seats, and maybe melted piston tops too. That engine will almost certainly be (burnt) toast.
Soz to give bad news .
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
rip
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
I'll reply on behalf of BB3 as l suspect they are pretty pi$$ed off with the dubious seller at the moment, who is not answering their phone call enquiries anymore.
Ajsimmo's mechanical prognosis is spot on. And l will add a few more details to support his reply.
When with BB3 l called a nearby MOT station l frequently used while living nearby a few years ago. The tester (he owns an imported vanagon) suggested stretched headbolts/engine studs from excessive heat too.
All four spark plugs have melted their rubber insulation inside the spark plug caps and insulated oil switch wiring glued/melted to rocker cover on left bank.
Finally, the starter battery needs recharging. It did spin engine slowly (BB3 on the key and me looking at engine). But l noticed the turnover was similar to a washing machine slow cycle and without that lumpiness showing compression. Just a smooth whirling noise.
Ending on a positive note. The bodywork looks in good order. As l said to BB3 at the time...l have bought worse knowing a lot more!
So BB3 has a sound starting point. With a reliable recon inserted (and a willing cheque book) the camper will return many years of fun.
Regards
Stuart
Ajsimmo's mechanical prognosis is spot on. And l will add a few more details to support his reply.
When with BB3 l called a nearby MOT station l frequently used while living nearby a few years ago. The tester (he owns an imported vanagon) suggested stretched headbolts/engine studs from excessive heat too.
All four spark plugs have melted their rubber insulation inside the spark plug caps and insulated oil switch wiring glued/melted to rocker cover on left bank.
Finally, the starter battery needs recharging. It did spin engine slowly (BB3 on the key and me looking at engine). But l noticed the turnover was similar to a washing machine slow cycle and without that lumpiness showing compression. Just a smooth whirling noise.
Ending on a positive note. The bodywork looks in good order. As l said to BB3 at the time...l have bought worse knowing a lot more!
So BB3 has a sound starting point. With a reliable recon inserted (and a willing cheque book) the camper will return many years of fun.
Regards
Stuart
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. It was so lovely of you to pop down MaxStu and have a look - the lovely camper is in a garage now with a friend of a friend who knows his way around a VW (hopefully he won't stick a screwdriver where it shouldn't go!!) and I will keep you all updated. Going now to order some spanners and read both of the Haynes manuals !!
1984 VW Transporter 1.9
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Certainly not a good start to ownership. Either way good luck with it.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Nice one for going over there Stu - sorry to see that it does look like a replacement engine maybe required.
Just to confirm that carb is a Weber - the 32/36 replaced the 34 DAT:
https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/vw-carb ... r-kit-wbx/
Don't worry BB3, we've all been there at some point or another and there's plenty of advice/assistance on here to get you through it.
Just to confirm that carb is a Weber - the 32/36 replaced the 34 DAT:
https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/vw-carb ... r-kit-wbx/
Don't worry BB3, we've all been there at some point or another and there's plenty of advice/assistance on here to get you through it.
'86 DG, Weber Carb
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
300CE wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 08:44 Nice one for going over there Stu - sorry to see that it does look like a replacement engine maybe required.
Just to confirm that carb is a Weber - the 32/36 replaced the 34 DAT:
https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/vw-carb ... r-kit-wbx/
Don't worry BB3, we've all been there at some point or another and there's plenty of advice/assistance on here to get you through it.
Hello J, and thanks for the info. Yes, that's fits the description.
I noticed the air filter has slightly (compare photos) collapsed. As if the engine lid had squash it. And not a lot of air able to pass through...compared to standard filter set up, that is.
What's the feedback using this alternative carb and filter? If me, l would be looking to go back to standard.
Regards
Stuart
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Not recent replacements by the looks of them.
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
Looking on the bright side, it's a lot better having a van with a knacked engine than a van with a good engine and knacked bodywork. Good luck with it.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
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Re: 1983 1.9 VW Transporter - potential head gasket issue
maxstu wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 09:07300CE wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 08:44 Nice one for going over there Stu - sorry to see that it does look like a replacement engine maybe required.
Just to confirm that carb is a Weber - the 32/36 replaced the 34 DAT:
https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/vw-carb ... r-kit-wbx/
Don't worry BB3, we've all been there at some point or another and there's plenty of advice/assistance on here to get you through it.
Hello J, and thanks for the info. Yes, that's fits the description.
I noticed the air filter has slightly (compare photos) collapsed. As if the engine lid had squash it. And not a lot of air able to pass through...compared to standard filter set up, that is.
What's the feedback using this alternative carb and filter? If me, l would be looking to go back to standard.
Regards
Stuart
I certainly reckon that the lid is squashing it - i'm not overly keen on that type of filter and reckon it is definitely restricted (twin carbs are fine with that set up as there's room either side) and prefer the 34DAT as it fits all the existing ancillaries, filter etc.
I'm a Weber lover, but as you can't get a DAT anymore and unless the OP wants to go twin carb Weber/Dellorto i'd be inclined to probably go back to an existing Pierburg (but go for an original refurbed one).
'86 DG, Weber Carb