Losing Power - new engine?

[Silky]

Our recently purchased T25 has lost power and our local mechanic is scratching his head over it. It's a 1.9 water cooled reconditioned engine and has done around 50k miles . The mechanic's checked the push rods and they're ok, he's suggested it may be the hydraulic lifters or possibly the cam shaft....whatever the case he's said he'd have to take the engine apart to investigate and repair it, and it's likely to be cheaper to get a replacement engine. The van was driving fine, then suddenly after the exhaust blowing (and running out of petrol), it just lost power completely. We did have to rev the engine to the hilt to get it to the workshop (only a mile away), I'm not sure whether we've done any damage to it in doing this?

As a complete VW novice and non-mechanic this is all new territory to me and I've got to say is as understandable as Japanese. Can anyone help? Is it likely to be an engine problem or is he clutching at straws? The exhaust has recently been replaced, I'm not sure if that makes any difference.

I'm really frustrated as we haven't had a chance to get away in our van yet due to holidays and repairs, and it's killing me !

Silky

[kevtherev]

serviced?
filters changed
plugs
leads
Have the basics been checked?
timing, mixture, air leaks, fuel pump, compression....

come on you have to give us a chance

[toomanytoys]

As said.. first start with basics.. I very much doubt the engine is fubarred... other things have gone wrong and could cause the lack of power...

I would bet that fuel filter (near fuel tank) is full of crud and water.. then have the top off the carb to see what crud is sitting in there... Fuel pump may have ingested crud and not able to supply enough fuel..
Also.. whats been done to the exhaust.. is it blocked?? these will cause lack of power.... only when all the basics are checked and deemed fit do you want to be taking an engine apart..

[Silky]

The exhaust has been replaced completely - we knew this was ready to go when we bought her. The mechanic's checked plugs, filters, timing etc, I'm not sure about the fuel pump or carb. I was wondering whether the fact I ran out of petrol could have made a difference here, as the engine seemed fine before - and whether we've damaged it further by revving the socks off it to get it to the workshop?

Silky

[kevtherev]

Well there you have it..
I would be inspecting the filters and the carb filters.
transfer jets, main jets, idle jets, air bleed jets.

it's lack of fuel or too much from a stuck float.

[jamesc76]

Its defo the carb and fuel lines, I've fixed soooo many motors with exactly the same symptoms as yours!!!

[Silky]

Thanks everyone, I'll feed this back and see where we get to. Because the van isn't really drivable, we're using a local mechanic, I suspect he hasn't seen too many T25s. Brickwerks is within reach for us but not really feasible if we want to get in the van during the summer.

The joys of old van ownership....

Silky

[R0B]

just make sure the filter just after the fuel tank is checked.many owners put one in the engine bay not knowing where the original one is..

[Silky]

I've just spoken to the mechanic and he's already checked all the above.

aaaaargh !

Silky

[kevtherev]

I've just spoken to the mechanic and he's already checked all the above.

aaaaargh !

Silky

hmmmm I'd like a second opinion

[Silky]

Searching for one now, we really don't want to get a new engine when the last one should have plenty of mileage left in it and seemed fine before we ran out of petrol.... It might just be a coincidence but a second opinion won't hurt.

Silky

[Aidan]

Where is the van ?
If at garage would mechanic appreciate someone else looking at it ? I'm not far away and mobile

[ermie571]

silky.....bite his hand off!!!^^^^^^

Em
x

[Silky]

Hi Aidan,
The van is in Reddish, Stockport. It's at the mechanic's, but that's in our business park so no problem viewing it, we can move it to our own parking spot. It would be fab if you could get to see it, we'd much prefer someone to fix it who knows what they're doing...

Silky

[Wolfsburg Willy]

We did have to rev the engine to the hilt to get it to the workshop (only a mile away), I'm not sure whether we've done any damage to it in doing this?

Silky, just to check the bleedin' obvious, the engine will rev, but doesn't appear to be producing power - the clutch isn't slipping is it?