DF Perfomance Expectations

[Ali140128]

Morning all,

Couldn't find anything in the archives regarding DF performance expectations so thought I'd post.

I have a 1.9 DF engine in my 1982 high-top. I've not had it long and have only done just over 1000 miles in it so still getting used to her.

So, just back from a trip around the Scottish Highlands which was rather more leisurely than I'd intended it to be. Top speed in the van on the flat seems to be ~50mph, with 60 being possible over a long downhill stretch (terminal velocity). The long uphill slog on the A93 to the Glenshee ski centre was tackled at 15mph in 2nd. Now dont get me wrong, I'm all for taking it easy but this takes the digestive a bit. Are these reasonable figures for a DF engined high-top? I didn't expect much from the 59bhp when I bought her but she makes reasonable uphill strectches on dual carraigeways / motorways, quite frankly, dangerous. I'd planned on a trip to Europe soon but don't fancy those Alpine passes with these performance figures!

Cheers

Ali

[jamesc76]

There not the best of engines! make sure its running 100% ok very good service etc etc. I for one binned mine and replaced it with a scooby lump, now hills at 15mph are a thing of the past!

[DevonAid]

We've got an '85 1.9DF although it's a pop top. We've got used to the lack of power - we can get 75 out of it if we really put the pedal to the metal on the flat, but it isn't happy at that speed and things are much more likely to go bang. We sit at 60 on the flat, hills definately slow us right down with a change to 3rd needed.
We just take it easy, although our trip round spain and the Andelucian mountains really showed us the lack of power - but then we were in no rush.
I know you've got a high top but it does seem a tad on the sluggish side of normal - everything OK engine/service wise and is the throttle cable and carb set up properly?

[Team28crew]

I too have a 1.9DF and your figures do sound a tad sluggish, mines a leisure drive hitop and will sit quite happily at 65mph on the Mway fully loaded with camping kit, wife and kids, Mway hills it can drop to around 50-55 mph and on steep hills on A and B roads it climbs them quite well. As mentioned give it a good service and get a tune up to.

Mark

[Oldiebut goodie]

The long uphill slog on the A93 to the Glenshee ski centre was tackled at 15mph in 2nd.

Ali

You are lucky - the best I could make up there was 10 mph in my 5 ton Merc camper! Little better in the vw.
My vw is only a 1.6 diesel so I am used to taking things easy - just admire the view and don't worry about it too much.
Scottish motorway.

[Mocki]

DF's are not as slow as a JX or a KY or a CJ or CU .
if set up right they are reasonably swift , but with all these vans its all in the way you drive them, momentum, momentum momentum.......

[horns]

A JX is slower than a DF, despite making 10 more horses?

[Ali140128]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated. Sounds like it's defintely not behaving itself properly. It had an engine service (new oil, sparks, filters etc) about 3k ago before I bought it but it obviously needs a tune-up. She's got her MOT next week so I'll see what the mechanic says and whether he fancies it.

I'll certainly be happier on the motorway at 65 than 45!!

Ali