Advice before van purchase please

Post by **Loopy** » 20 Jul 2007, 10:34

We are looking to buy a Type 25, however apparently is has rotted away around the side windows.

Has anyone tackled this before and is the part/panel available for this repair.

Beware if we go ahead with the purchase, many more stupid questions to follow

Thanks Karen

Post by **shepster** » 20 Jul 2007, 11:09

Bodywork is the most important thing to look out for on these vans! try and get the soundest possible because it can be real expensive to put right whereas mechanical troubles are generally easy to remedy.

If in doubt walk away, there are plenty about.

Post by **Loopy** » 20 Jul 2007, 11:39

Thanks for replying shepster.

The bodywork thing is not a major problem as my husband is a welder and the van is really cheap.

I looked on the JK site an cannot find any repair parts for this area. I just wondered if anyone knew if they were available.

The mechanics could be another story however

Post by **R0B** » 20 Jul 2007, 11:48

repair panels from http://www.ahschofield.co.uk/ are a lot better quality than the jk ones..not sure if they have what your after though..

Post by **lloyd** » 20 Jul 2007, 13:46

Rust is teminal... Once it gets going, you can put it into remission, but can't really stop it. You can probaby replace engine, tranny and cooling system for less then getting rid of major rust and repaint.

Find a good body.. preferably one with original paint as that way you know what rust, if any, there is. Re-paint is fine if you can trust the seller.

Like shepster said, here are many good vans out there. We have some good sellers here. What kind of t25 are you looking for?

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 20 Jul 2007, 16:45

http://wiki.80-90.co.uk/index.php/Main_ ... ive_Owners

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 21 Jul 2007, 22:00

the first thing i would look at is if tis Aircooled? if it was i would leave it. bodywork can be welded and fixed easy enough but an air cooled will cost you £££££ in petrol and ZZZZZZ in hypothermia...... if your going to spend on an Aircooled get a bay window or a split. theyre trendy

Post by **jason k** » 22 Jul 2007, 10:56

the rust is the main issue. if its that bad around the windows it could be bad just about everywhere.
theres loads of these things around so take your time and find one you can use and enjoy straight away rather than spend time fixing and getting fed up with it cos you cant use it.
as to engine choice ...............
there is nothing wrong with Aircooled (the 1600s are a little underpowered)the watercooled petrols are ok too. some of the diesels are underpowered. have a look at the wiki and that will help, but buy what type suits you and not what your told!!!!
i personally run an Aircooled which i find warm and economical enough.(23 - 26 mpg).
good luck with whatever you do.

Post by **Loopy** » 22 Jul 2007, 14:31

Thanks for all replies.

Well we purchased Priscilla (old owner named her),1989, 1900 engine. She looks pretty sound underneath, but as mentioned rusty around windows however it was v v cheap - all good.

Now for the bad bit. As it had stood for a quite a while the brakes had stuck on and the owners had been trying to drive them unstuck. It smelt very rubbery we we arrived. We took the wheel off and hit it with a hammer and it seem to free up Ok.

Went for a drive around the block and all seemed fine.

Paid the money and drove off for a couple of miles which seems slow, it then seemed to burst into life, and speed up, then at the next roundabout could not engage any gears.

We are guessing that the clutch has gone, unless anyone can come up with a another idea.

Oh the joys of camper ownership

Post by **lloyd** » 22 Jul 2007, 14:50

Congrats and condolences

The slow at first then burst into life many have been stuck brake.

The burnt smell could be brake and/or clutch.

"not engage gears"... need more info. With engine off does gearshift work through gears? If in neutral when engine is started, you cannot shift into gear?

Might be linkage sticking.. hard to tell

Good Luck,

Lloyd

Post by **Loopy** » 22 Jul 2007, 14:57

Ok may have got it a bit wrong.

It seems that with the engine running all gears engage but no drive in any of them.

Also the clutch pedal seems too have gone hard?

What are we thinking ?????????????

Post by **lloyd** » 22 Jul 2007, 15:47

Might be clutch linkage on tranny. So clutch petal doesn't pushed on master cylinder so slave cylinder doesn't move linkage to disengage clutch disc. I'd start by checking the hydraulic and mechanical componets of cluch linkage. Hydraulic can be checked without pulling tranny.

Good Luck,

Lloyd

Post by **Loopy** » 22 Jul 2007, 16:02

Thanks for your advice, I will pass it on to the one who gets his hands dirty

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 22 Jul 2007, 17:30

it maybe the bolts on the driveshafts have sheared, have a look underneath if one of them is hanging down theyve snapped(easy fix)

mine went and the first thing i thought was gearbox. you may have smelled burning clutch plate when you fetched the van(not rubber). either way, you got the van cheap and a clutch is easy to do (and cheap) so well done

a bit of grease here and there, fresh oil, filters etc = weekends away

..gsf "german swedish and french" is a good cheap place to get your service items.

Post by **futurecut** » 22 Jul 2007, 18:45

I would say to prospective owners especially when van has been stood that a decent test drive where you can get on a dual carriageway and open it up is a must. Don't be frightened to test the brakes hard and do the things you have to do. People only get grumpy when they're trying to flogg you a heap of sheet and don't want you to discover the faults they haven't mentioed. Good Luck!