learn from my mistakes...

[matt brighton]

Hi

If you are new to diesel t25's like me heres a couple of my mistakes you might learn from

All relevent to t25 1982 1.6d non turbo........


1- gearbox oil - the manual and handbook gearbox spec sae 80 isnt easily available from motor factors - my local one told me EP80-90 - GL5 is the modern equivalent. I Bought it and changed the g box oil - only to discover that yellow metals (bronze and copper bushes) in t25 g boxes dont like the friction additives in g box oils rated GL5 . Confirmed onother owners club web sites (Land rover) so I have had to drain & replace with EP80_90 GL4. I did spend ages researchng this on tinternet, and as I say - other classic car forums inc land rover oc come up with the same conclusion.

2- cooling fan. probably the easiest mod which for me gives peace of mind is putting an override switch in the cab so I can spark up the hi speed fan if required - independent of the thermo switch. Just for the price of a switch - x2 piggy back connectors and some wire. Connected the piggy back connectors to the hi speed (lower) thermo switch - wired it thru the little oval rubber bung behind the rad and to a switch in the dash by the cold start lever. The mistake i made was thinking i had to have a switch to start the lo speed too and I boufght a relay and 30 amp switch which I didnt end up needing

Hope this helps someone who like me is new to the rear engine

[boatbuilder]

Thanks for the info. I've just bought my first T25 with a 1.6 non-turbo so every bit of advice helps!
I have to replace at least one core plug on the bottom of the engine as it has a rust hole.... any tips about that?

[matt brighton]

Sorry but not a job I have done but im sure someone else will be able to help if a search draws a blank

Regards

Matt

[protexblue]

boatbuilder
Just prise old core plug out, clean hole of any rust / debris, put new plug in using a hammer and suitable sized socket as a drift making sure it goes in squarely.

[Simon Baxter]

Gearbox oil, 100% bob on.
Overide switch though, really no need.
If it doesn't work then fix the problem, fan swicthes are easier and cheaper than overide switches and the assoc. dicking about.
There are 2 speed on it, one will happily cut in and out at 87°c, the other will come on when it's really hot.
Please bare in mind that these vehicles were sent all accross the globe when new with the same cooling system as the ones we got, VW didn't see the need to fit a "chicken" switch.
If you feel the need to fit one then you probably have problems, or need to slow down a bit.

[matt brighton]

Thanks Simon

Respect and agree with your comments.....

No problems with the van and i am a slow and syampathetic driver (I have discovered that you have to be with a 1.6 non turbo ! ) - the cooling system and assoc electrics works v well, and to date the engine has alway run in the normal zone on the temperature guage

Guess the problem is more with "me" - I have the invoice from previous owner who had the theromo switch fail and had to replace the c head for alot of money .. and I still have nighmares of the time I warped the cylender head on my dads pride n joy BMW 528i in a traffic jam on the A13 when I was a lad in 1985

The override switch is just 2 wires piggy backed from the from the hi speed thermo switch which pulse the relay, and I couldnt see anyone selling the replacement 2 pin low and hi speed thermo switches - which I would replace just for peace of mind - Mine had had a replacement 3 pin thermo switch fitted and the hi speed fan circuit was wired throught that - which isnt as per the original wiring diagram set up so - I have re wired both hi and low speed thermoswitches properly - they both now work as they should when bridged ..... but I couldnt resist fitting the "chicken switch" ......just in case......

I am now looking for replacement engine bay hoses to carry as spares....originals looking tired, and some of the hoses look a bit complicated for aa/rac/halfords to carry anything to get me out of trouble on the roadside

Regards and best wishes

Matt - brighton

[kevtherev]

if there's a problem with circulation then your override will just cool the water in the rad...

[DanO]

Hi Matt

if you find yourself needing an mechanic, Barry down at Hove Lagoon is very helpful, even to just give you some advice and how to do it yourself - I don't have the time to tinker myself so take our 1.6TD there.

[matt brighton]

Thanks Dan - o

Regards

Matt

[mrdp]

Hi I changed my gearbox oil a couple of weeks back as routine maintainance. I put shell spirx in as it appeared to be to the correct spec, but I couldn't tell you without having the container if it was GL-4 or GL-5 now ( It was in a red container if that helps !!!) What happens if it is the wrong stuff then ? is it worth changing again if not sure.

[silverbullet]

EP (extreme pressure) additives attack the bronze bushes in the box, making them go porous and so wearing out faster (changes the metallurgy and hence mechanical properties of the bushes)
As an aside, does anyone know what oil should go in the factory LSD trans? Does it need friction modifier adding too?

[matt brighton]

If my inrternet research and comments from other classic car forums is correct.... then the EP GL4 is fine as it has less of the possably harmful addatives that are non backwards compatible with gearboxes with yellow metals such as vw's .

Straight SAE80 isnt available locally for me to find or you pay a fortune for stuf called redline ....... bear in mind our boxes are old and probably v high mileage other things will break first and the dirty dishwater that came out of the box when i originally drained it - made me think that if put cooking oil in , it would benefit

VW do reccomend EP80/90 in the original VW recommended fluids paperwork that came with my van ( I will double check this statement as paperwork is in my desk at work at time of posting - and its in the photo of the haynes amnual topping up the gearbox too- the only absoloute "no no" I can find is GL5 in our gearboxes as is the same recommendation on the land rover forum and many others I could find.

The internet breeds scare stories ... but for the sake of £12-15 quid I drained the new GL5 and put GL4 in.

If anyone knows more or im wrong pl post

Regards

Matt

[mrdp]

I have gone back to the garage and checked which one they had stocked on the shelf and it was the GL-4 stuff much relief as wanted to be away in the van this weekend and not redoing the gearbox oil. Thanks for the info