Any advice please?

[T+T]

Hey we recently started a subject about advice for buying our first camper for a trip around Europe, we've seen one we may be going for but have a few questions we were wondering if you could help with??

Which engine would be better for a 4 month trip around Europe, Air or Water cooled?? the one we're looking at is Air at the mo but we may need to replace the engine so we were thinkin would it be advisable to change it for a water cooled and is this even possible lol??

If we do replace the engine, how much would we be looking at including installation, the van is a VW T25 Transporter Campervan 1980

We're hopefully off to see it tomorrow, other than checking for rust, any other tips for things to look out for??

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
T+T

[Mocki]

whilst it is possible to convert from air to water, and indeed from water to air, its quite a big job, and if you are not the one spinning the spanners, would be very expensive in man hours........

so, if its Aircooled, replace with same, loads less hassle and lots cheaper.
and a good aircold will travel thousands of miles, many thousands

[R0B]

its possible.if you have the time and money.imo.better to go for a water cooled straight off.or replace engine with an aircold..

would it be advisable to change it for a water cooled and is this even possible lol??

[AngeloEvs]

Our first camper was 1.6 a/c , we were students then and spent many long summer breaks touring France and Spain in it without any problems (other than a failed starter motor). For a long summer trip around Europe I would prefer an Aircooled simply because I always worry about a failure in the complex watercooling system and possible head problems. Having said that, a reliable w/c does have a lot of advantages and far more comfortable in the winter. Loads of folks on here have taken their a/c and w/c abroad and seem to have had trouble free and enjoyable hols. The a/c are a bit heavier on petrol. At the end of the day your looking at a 28 year old motor and you will have to use your judgement as to how well cared and looked after it is. A replacement w/c recon engine is not cheap and the quotes I have had range from £1000 to £2250 fitted. Unfortunately, replacing the engine invariably means additional costs/components such as exhaust, clutch, etc.

[T+T]

brill, thanks for the advice, we'll def bear it in mind when we're choosin a van. to b honest i think its all gonna depend on the price we can gt the van and how much we think itll take to get it up to scratch!!

[1664]

Instead of buying a van and taking into consideration a budget figure to bring it up to scratch, why not simply use all the money to buy a van that is already 'up to scratch'?

[Vanagonman]

Our first camper was 1.6 a/c , we were students then and spent many long summer breaks touring France and Spain in it without any problems (other than a failed starter motor). For a long summer trip around Europe I would prefer an Aircooled simply because I always worry about a failure in the complex watercooling system and possible head problems. Having said that, a reliable w/c does have a lot of advantages and far more comfortable in the winter. Loads of folks on here have taken their a/c and w/c abroad and seem to have had trouble free and enjoyable hols. The a/c are a bit heavier on petrol. At the end of the day your looking at a 28 year old motor and you will have to use your judgement as to how well cared and looked after it is. A replacement w/c recon engine is not cheap and the quotes I have had range from £1000 to £2250 fitted. Unfortunately, replacing the engine invariably means additional costs/components such as exhaust, clutch, etc.

Absolutely spot on mate!

[T+T]

Right, we've been to see one but are even more confused than ever now!! lol. It seemed pretty solid and the engine seemed fine as it is (obviosuly we would get it tuned n sproosed up) however, there r a few probs with the body work, scrapes n bumps etc, one small area of filler and it's rusted through on the drivers step (although im sure this could be welded). the sliding door spring clasp would need replacing but the door itself seemed solid, quite concerned about that, the interior was tatty, easily fixed but the upholstery seemed a bit drab and dark.

To sum up, it seems if we could get it at a decent price we could get it road worthy and it would do us fine, but we both kinda lacking the pull we thought we'd feel towards it, i think the argument is do we go for "it's affordable, close, solid and the easier option" or "keep looking and hope we fall in love with somethin feasible"?? but this means risking loosing out!!

Arrrrgghhhhh!!!!!! any advice??

[A KIRK]

Always buy the best your budget allows, then that way someone else has had the expense and stress of resolving issues. Rememebr mechanicals are cheaper to repair than body work.

A well looked after and correctly fitted air cooled shouldn't give you any real issues in hot weather. Air cooled are also slightly easier to work on, less complicated, mind you the water cooled don't loot to complicated either, but there is more to go wrong. Air cooled are also cheaper to replace, but there just so slow especially the 1.6 Ct engines.

I've done restoration projects in the past, and I've vowed never to undertake another, its just so time consuming and costly.

Another thing to remember is whilst its always best to go with your mind, sometimes you need to follow your heart, becaseu if you buy one that you really don't fall in love with your never going to fall in love with it.

[T+T]

i think we're jus worried because its the 1st one weve been to see so havnt really got anything to compare it too but dont wanna miss out!! our main concern with the interior is the tatty and dull carpet lining, is it possible to get these replaced f we wanted?? and has anyone any ideas about where does it and cost etc??
hope u dont mind us askin so many questions!! you're help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks again T+T

[A KIRK]

Anything can be done, just depends on your budget or how good you are with doing thios yourself.

Personally I'd set aside a day next weekend and go look at as many in your local area as you can, doesn't matter if you intend of buying them or not, just arrange viewings, then it will give you more of an idea of whats available.

[Pepperami]

You must love it! because it will try your patience at times and push that love to the limit.

[T+T]

well we're still looking into all the details of this one n totting up how much itd cost us, any recommendations for cheap insurance?? we're both 21 and never had a vehicle before so no no claims!! its gonna be expensive!! lol

[Pepperami]

21 OUCH!

[Pepperami]

Don't even consider Scoobying it for about another mmmmmmmmmmmmmm 20 years or so.