Replacement VEGE engine?

Post by **ryoc** » 05 Apr 2008, 16:32

The engine on my 1990 2.1 petrol injection Caravelle is getting a bit tired and noisy. Thinking of getting a replacement. Has anyone had any experience with VEGE engines? I have been told that are one of best replacements..Thanks

Post by **andysimpson** » 05 Apr 2008, 17:06

of all the engine reconditioners, they probably are the best but they are not good. Most of it comes down to refitting parts that should of been replaced or being replaced with low quality parts for maximum profit.

Post by **maxstu** » 05 Apr 2008, 17:15

Am nearly in agreement with Andy!

Read this before deciding......

http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=31853

Still waiting for return of our van. Hopefully ready on monday. Won't know the reason why fault developed until then.
But I will be complimenting/shaming fitters/suppliers in east London on the return of our much loved van.
So best to hold fire until I get to post the final outcome.

Post by **ryoc** » 05 Apr 2008, 19:20

Thanks for the replies. I will wait to see what happens with regard to your experience..This is the 2nd Caravelle I have owned, bought the 1st one new in 1990. Kept it for 10 years and had to sell due to problems at work. Big mistake. Spent the next 3 years finding another good one. I really don't know what I would have as a replacement car. The kids have grown up now and I have removed the middle row of seats (in the shed). Such a practical and good looking vehicle (the 5 spoke Empi's help of course!).

Post by **Laurie** » 06 Apr 2008, 19:54

If an engine builder were to replace all parts, you wouldn't be able to afford it! Changing the rings and barrels isn't an easy day job.
2 days work at £50 per hour (my local plumber charges) is £800 that is often the time needed to rebuild a water boxer. Studs can take 1/2 hour each. Drilling out exhaust studs, more time.
As for Vege being the best of a bad bunch, I take exception to that, basically because it sullies the reputation of everyone doing the best they can, as honourably as they can to both make a living and keep vehicles on the road.

I think Andy is totally out of order with his comment.

Post by **andysimpson** » 06 Apr 2008, 20:27

Laurie wrote:If an engine builder were to replace all parts, you wouldn't be able to afford it! Changing the rings and barrels isn't an easy day job.
2 days work at £50 per hour (my local plumber charges) is £800 that is often the time needed to rebuild a water boxer. Studs can take 1/2 hour each. Drilling out exhaust studs, more time.
As for Vege being the best of a bad bunch, I take exception to that, basically because it sullies the reputation of everyone doing the best they can, as honourably as they can to both make a living and keep vehicles on the road.

I think Andy is totally out of order with his comment.

I agree costs get rapidly out of hand when things get replaced and time for machining drilling etc.

The thing that pisses me off is alot of these recons are built to just cover the mileage they are guaranteed for, if i paid £1400 for a recon engine i would expect it to do a decent mileage, not go wrong shortly after guarantee has expired. Until recently VW recons could be bought, they don't bodge or ignore anything and were costing only a few quid more than vege or remtec were charging. Last year i did 18,000 in my daily driver at that rate i would need an engine every 2 years if i got a good one, alot die long before that and the response when out of guarantee is tough.

When i was in the workshop i took pride in everything i did, i aimed everything to be 100% first time even if it meant making little/no profit if i had under estimated, as long as it was right. If something did go wrong it would be rectified ASAP with as little hassle to customer as possible.

Laurie, i am not directing this towards your rebuilds as i have not heard anything good or bad about waterboxers you have done, i have heard of your reputation for air cooled and its all been good. This is directed at the 3 main names that come up on here on a regular basis with the same complaints, its broke and they don't want to know.

Post by **Laurie** » 06 Apr 2008, 20:52

I learned to hate Vege when I worked for URO. Having to go back to a good customer and tell them that Vege wouldn't stand the warranty on a beetle engine due to 'failure to de-aerate oil system'. Or when dave Fisher was told that the fact that within 200 miles of fitting, an engine he had fitted had recessed its valve seats by 3mm because he had fitted it wrong.
I hate heads that have been shaved to a pont that you can't back the tappets off any more and head studs not being changed as a matter of course.

I know Elite to be honourable and I have even found that most Volkspares engine failures that i have investigated have been due to fitment or misuse. Not sure about remtec.

Every rebuild has to be done using either new parts or ability to assess existing parts. The time when it matters is when things go wrong. How you get treated then is the crux of the matter and it seems, from maxstu's posts, Vege are treating him well.

Post by **ricicles** » 07 Apr 2008, 18:40

be aware with recon engines! check the warranty you need to sign it as well as the dealer. do not run in an engine on lpg, check your fueling! if its running lean it will void the warranty if its to rich it will void your warranty, i have read my warranty and i think that there is not much that these recon engine providers could not wriggle out of if they wanted to.do not forget that all the ancilaries ar probably at least 20 years old! perhaps laure, you could do an engine building masterclass for all us interested folks, we could then build our own top notch motors. by the way can you supply me a cam for a 2.1 wasserboxer, a bit hotter than the standard one cheers andrew.

Post by **ricicles** » 07 Apr 2008, 18:44

be aware with recon engines! check the warranty you need to sign it as well as the dealer. do not run in an engine on lpg, check your fueling! if its running lean it will void the warranty if its to rich it will void your warranty, i have read my warranty and i think that there is not much that these recon engine providers could not wriggle out of if they wanted to.do not forget that all the ancilaries ar probably at least 20 years old! perhaps laure, you could do an engine building masterclass for all us interested folks, we could then build our own top notch motors. by the way can you supply me a cam for a 2.1 wasserboxer, a bit hotter than the standard one cheers andrew.

Post by **ricicles** » 07 Apr 2008, 18:45

be aware with recon engines! check the warranty you need to sign it as well as the dealer. do not run in an engine on lpg, check your fueling! if its running lean it will void the warranty if its to rich it will void your warranty, i have read my warranty and i think that there is not much that these recon engine providers could not wriggle out of if they wanted to.do not forget that all the ancilaries ar probably at least 20 years old! perhaps laure, you could do an engine building masterclass for all us interested folks, we could then build our own top notch motors. by the way can you supply me a cam for a 2.1 wasserboxer, a bit hotter than the standard one cheers andrew.

Post by **Laurie** » 07 Apr 2008, 19:37

I did the engine build for the boxer 10+ years ago for Total VW. Camper and Commercial have recently re- published it and I got 75 quid I didn't expect.
Cam is to be not too heavy, like 110 or C35 etc, but you can add 1.25 rockers for more ooomph.

You can build them, but the studs can be a pain. I spend hours removing them and never do that as a job in itself, just as part of an engine build.
Too much bloody hard work. And then days after, I'm picking splinters of steel out of my hands. Hate it!

After all, a man has to keep a few secrets or no-one will respect him in the morning

Post by **ryoc** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:12

Thanks for the replies. I will bear in mind the mention of not running in a new engine on lpg, as this is what I use 90% of the time (Steve from this site did the conversion years ago). I will look around at the various options before deciding. I want to keep the vehicle, that is the main thing..

Post by **ryoc** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:34

I want my Caravelle to go like this!...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLFGPl1 ... re=related

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 08 Apr 2008, 18:41

Or this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE9GNsMi ... re=related

Post by **ryoc** » 27 May 2008, 22:30

I run my Caravelle on LPG 90% of the time.. Thanks for the advice about running in a replacement motor. Where in West London could I find a good replacement engine, supply & fit? Thanks