Bit new to this whole subject but have been lusting after a camper for ages now. I am currently looking at buying a 1985 VW Caravelle conversion. It looks good but I am nervous on a couple of points.
1) there is some rust through to what I assume is the engine bay in the rear right wheel arch. Will this need to be rectified of is it not a major concern. The rest of the underside looks good.
2) Just how reliable are these vans? I keep getting cold feet when people tell me not to trust a 20+ year old van. The engine is a rebuild and looks in good condition but I am no expert.
3)how much does it cost to get a new heater installed as the old one is dead.
Sorry about the vagueness, hope someone can help.
Cheers,
Will
nerves about a first time van purchase
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futurecut
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Hello Will,
The rust in the arch probably is fairly serious if it's that visible. Competent welder may be required. Common advice is to buy on body as body repairs are quite expensive and specialist- mechanics aren't so much.
With the engine you just can't tell. Ask for details and drive it hard when you test it. look for easy starting, any smoke and what colour, leaking oil spots below the van and on the engine and any rust in the coolant which should be a pink colour. Mines on about 127.5 K and it doesnt use a bit of oil, others explode earlier. Rebuilds depend on the rebuilder. I know this doesn't help, just be prepared to muck in and try your hand at stuff.
if the heater is a propex i recently got a new one for #340 incl delivery. This is a 200 with a 2yr warranty. It may just need serviced but don't take any risks with it. People advertise service on ebay or try ebay shop eberbasto, they're dead quick.
Sometimes its best to get a factory conversion. The quality is usually better. I bought too quickly and am finding that out to my cost. Don't listen to the "pooh" people tell you to explain problems. I've learned that to my cost too. If it look s crap it probably is.
i'll bet that helps none but it's my experience so far.
The rust in the arch probably is fairly serious if it's that visible. Competent welder may be required. Common advice is to buy on body as body repairs are quite expensive and specialist- mechanics aren't so much.
With the engine you just can't tell. Ask for details and drive it hard when you test it. look for easy starting, any smoke and what colour, leaking oil spots below the van and on the engine and any rust in the coolant which should be a pink colour. Mines on about 127.5 K and it doesnt use a bit of oil, others explode earlier. Rebuilds depend on the rebuilder. I know this doesn't help, just be prepared to muck in and try your hand at stuff.
if the heater is a propex i recently got a new one for #340 incl delivery. This is a 200 with a 2yr warranty. It may just need serviced but don't take any risks with it. People advertise service on ebay or try ebay shop eberbasto, they're dead quick.
Sometimes its best to get a factory conversion. The quality is usually better. I bought too quickly and am finding that out to my cost. Don't listen to the "pooh" people tell you to explain problems. I've learned that to my cost too. If it look s crap it probably is.
i'll bet that helps none but it's my experience so far.
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T'Onion
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willreeve
where are you in the world ?
if your in or around sheffield then you could pop in and have a chat with me .. even willing to look at some vans with you .. you could even look at my rusty wreck and have a drive of it ..
what i'm saying is , there will be a member of 80-90 near to you for some 1-1 personal advice ..
where are you in the world ?
if your in or around sheffield then you could pop in and have a chat with me .. even willing to look at some vans with you .. you could even look at my rusty wreck and have a drive of it ..
what i'm saying is , there will be a member of 80-90 near to you for some 1-1 personal advice ..
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori
Ego mori tu mori
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Gone-Westy
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Will,
take your time mate, if you buy a lemon you'll regret it. Find someone who knows about mechanics and take them to inspect it. Pay for this if needs be, it'll cost you less in the long run. Don't be ruled by your heart.
Any van will need stuff doing from time to time - they're old vehicles!
If you aint sure - walk away. Once you've bought one, join the AA!
Good luck.
take your time mate, if you buy a lemon you'll regret it. Find someone who knows about mechanics and take them to inspect it. Pay for this if needs be, it'll cost you less in the long run. Don't be ruled by your heart.
Any van will need stuff doing from time to time - they're old vehicles!
If you aint sure - walk away. Once you've bought one, join the AA!
Good luck.
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Bilbo Blue
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- Location: Bridgwater, Somerset.
[if the heater is a propex i recently got a new one for #340 incl delivery.]
Hey futurecut, where an earth did you get your proplex heater from. I've only managed to find em around £650.
Will,
try and find one with a good body. mechanics can be changed, if youve got a rough body it will plague you for ever.
Oh, and they all suck up money whatever condition the're in, unless your happy to run around in an old nail..
Hey futurecut, where an earth did you get your proplex heater from. I've only managed to find em around £650.
Will,
try and find one with a good body. mechanics can be changed, if youve got a rough body it will plague you for ever.
Oh, and they all suck up money whatever condition the're in, unless your happy to run around in an old nail..
Blue.
1990, G reg, JX 1600TD, Bilbo Arragon hightop conversion.
A camper, a longboard and waves - what more is needed?
1990, G reg, JX 1600TD, Bilbo Arragon hightop conversion.
A camper, a longboard and waves - what more is needed?
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bennwedge
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its very hard almost impossible to find a cheap t25 that doesnt need any work, all i can say is have a look at a few more before buying this one. oh and when you do buy one make sure you get the bible (haynes manual) as well. by the time your finished youll know that book word for word. everyone has to take that leap into the unknown when buying there first one but once you do your hooked for life, even if you buy a dog you will still love it but your wallet wont.
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shaz and dan's van
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fill him with confidence why dont ya.-
kathyshack
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when you buy one, make sure you have a little pot of money in reserve for repairs. i have had to get something done every year of owning tbh, but at least its one less thing to go in the future... i hope! All this aside, it has changed our life for the better. actually saves us money on our social life, as cheaper to camp with a tray of lager than sit in pub all night! he he he.
if you get a petrol one you can get it converted to run on lpg too which makes it cheap to drive too! then theres th waves, when you get your fisrt wave you know you've doen the right thing! he he he
if you get a petrol one you can get it converted to run on lpg too which makes it cheap to drive too! then theres th waves, when you get your fisrt wave you know you've doen the right thing! he he he
T'Onion wrote:willreeve
where are you in the world ?
if your in or around sheffield then you could pop in and have a chat with me .. even willing to look at some vans with you .. you could even look at my rusty wreck and have a drive of it ..
what i'm saying is , there will be a member of 80-90 near to you for some 1-1 personal advice ..
Same goes here, if you're in west yorks
Yea.. and if your Leeds area and taking Kev H for some tyre kicking, im in Too for the ride [Tyre Kicking A Speciality !!!] OR you could do what i did and buy unseen on Fleabay !!! DONT DO IT !!! i paid about 600 - 800 quid too much as i was too lazy to look .......... Good Vans Though ...
Buy on body condition, as mechanicals are pretty easy - cheap fix .. Paint / body could be 2K !!!!!!!!!!
Buy on body condition, as mechanicals are pretty easy - cheap fix .. Paint / body could be 2K !!!!!!!!!!
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Westy.Club.Joker
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- Location: Sunny Lancs. 1988 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker pop-top
Hi Will, don`t skint yourself buying the thing, unless you are very lucky something will always crop up to spend your hard-earned on pretty soon. Budget for a PROPER full service right away, no-one ever does what they say they`ve done (especially dealers). If it`s got a cam-belt, change it asap.
As eveyone is saying, buy the best rust-free (it`s all relative) example you can, nuts n bolts are easy compared to cutting / welding / grinding / painting (proper bodywork jobs cost good money, cheap blow-overs only hide the inevitable).
As eveyone is saying, buy the best rust-free (it`s all relative) example you can, nuts n bolts are easy compared to cutting / welding / grinding / painting (proper bodywork jobs cost good money, cheap blow-overs only hide the inevitable).