Local trusted mechanic vs T25 specialist

[zencamper]

Hey all,

Hope everyone had a great festive period!

I'm just wondering - my MOT is coming up and I need a few things looking at on my 1984 Devon Moonraker (1991 Golf 1.9 intercooled diesel engine) - CV joints, starter motor, and clutch. I've had a mechanic for many years now and he's also my dad's mechanic and has been for 20 years, maybe. He knows his stuff and is an all round great guy, but has never really worked on a van. He replaced my alternator belt a couple of months ago - it took him a while to work out the size he needed, etc, but in the end he got it done

Would you recommend I take my van to a specialist or is it fine to stick with my trusted mechanic? My feeling is, he can do the job fine. Am I missing a distinction between a normal car and a T25, besides T25s being better

Besides, the engine is a Golf engine anyway...

Cheers all,

PA

[grenjs]

None of the tasks (CV joints, starter motor, and clutch) are really VW specific, so if you are happy with your current mechanic go with him. He should be more than capable of doing those jobs.

[1664]

If you stick with your current mechanic, tell him if there is anything he's unsure of to jump in here and look in the Wiki, failing that you could post a question up for him.

[Ian Hulley]

I take mine to a locally trusted mechanic, I give him all the parts he may need, an exploded diagram of what he's dealing with so he can see how it comes apart, and the Haynes manuel.

TBH they aren't difficult to work on, just time consuming and I have more important things to do these days.

Ian

[zencamper]

Cheers guys, very much appreciated - I sensed my mechanic felt it was more time consuming than working on cars. When I took it to him I thought he'd be excited to work on a big old, creaky T25! But alas, it's just a job for him,eh He took a while to even find the engine, buried under a blanket, mattress and storage box!

Anyway, I'll make sure, if there's anything he can't work out, to post his questions here! Thanks for the suggestion 1664.

btw...*daft question alert* if my 1984 Devon Moonraker has a Golf 1991 1.6 (although my mechanic and others too think it's a 1.9) Intercooled TD engine, is that the Haynes Manual my mechanic should be looking at, or a T25 manual? Or both, I'm guessing! I'm sure he knows which he should be looking at, but just wondering...

Cheers,

PA

[grenjs]

btw...*daft question alert* if my 1984 Devon Moonraker has a Golf 1991 1.6 (although my mechanic and others too think it's a 1.9) Intercooled TD engine, is that the Haynes Manual my mechanic should be looking at, or a T25 manual? Or both, I'm guessing! I'm sure he knows which he should be looking at, but just wondering...

Cheers,

PA

To be honest he shouldn't need a manual, but for safety's sake, both. Just make sure you tell him what engine you have fitted and make sure he acknowledges what you tell him. Too many just nod their head and don't take the information in.

[zencamper]

Cheers Grenjs - understood