Help! New engine in Iran?

[ols]

I need advice. I've been busy driving my 1985 1.6TD vaguely eastwards, and along the way - around about the 2000th mountainous climb - the engine has developed a few problems.

It all seemed to start somewhere in Kurdistan when the internal radiator (the one that provides heating to the rear on club jokers) sprang a leak and all my coolant leaked out in a spectacular steamy plume. I was on a pretty steep climb at the time and I suspect the engine overheated as a result of the fan breaking. A nice friendly man got me going again (for no money at all and he even gave me free food - very Kurdish) by bypassing the radiator and connecting the in and out pipes together but I noticed when I put more water in that there was oil in the water tank - what does that mean?!

Then driving into Iran I noticed that there's not as much power coming from the engine as before - almost as thought the Turbo has died - and it burns oil at a rate of 1 litre every 2k which seems to be escape out of the exhaust in the form of thick black smoke. Now in Iran diesel cost less than a penny a litre (seriously, I can fill up for less than 50p!) so topping up with oil is not problem but I get the impression from men in garages here that I need an engine rebuild. But the trouble is they explain stuff to me in Farsi of which I only know how to say 'hello', 'goodbye', 'thanks' and 'Mmmm, that was delicious' so I was wondering if one of you guys could give me your opinion.

If I do go for the rebuild am I not better off getting rid of the underpowered 1.6TD thing and going for the 1.9TD Passet engine? And if so how easy / expensive is this. I want to get the work done here in Iran or Turkey because it is so cheap you would not believe it and while they fix my car they give me free food and tea then invite me back to their house.


Sorry for writing a tome but thanks loads in advance for any help.
Oliver

[v-lux]

Hey, where are you.
Assuming you're in the north somewhere if youve come in from Kurdistan?

If you're anywhere near Tehran then might be able to put you in touch with someone. A good friend of mine is half Iranian and has family in Tehran who speak good english.

Ive just asked him and he seems confident that they will help out if you're nearby.

[ols]

I'm in Esfahan just now but I'm about to leave and head back towards Turkey. As long as the van makes it I've got friends there who I can stay with while I get it sorted. It'll be easier to get parts too. Then Syria...

Thanks for the offer of help though; I've been humbled by how generous people are here and I am sure your friends here would have been no different.

[KarlT]

Ahhhh......Esfahan!


Sorry can't help but.............


Ahhhh......Esfahan!

[v-lux]

No worries,

Good luck getting to Turkey, ...fingers crossed.

[Fritz]

Good luck with the rest of your journey,,,,,,personally I'd be trying to find a local garage who could fit another similar engine without to much buggering about.........


Keep in touch,

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,,,,,