New van checks

[pierce]

Hi,
I am going to look at a 83 camper with a 1.9dg engine in it;
Its had alot of owners so suspect the mileage is over 160k with no mention of a recon engine, or any other history for that matter.

The trader seems like a nice bloke and says the engine is running well.

Is my worst case scenario a recon engine and should I look to do this just to improve reliability?

I have been looking at prices, there seems to be reports of people fitting reconditioned engines for as little as £800 to as much as 2k, how much should I expect to pay?

Is there anything in particular that I should be checking when I go to look at it, and how much benefit would I get by taking a mechanic with me?

Thanks in advance

[kevtherev]

I f you look in the wiki there's a lot of info for prospective buyers.

my new engine cost £550.. and fitted in a day by myself
Flat fours will go on and on suitably serviced.
I wouldn't worry about an engine untill it breaks
A mechanic yes.. but a T25 conversant mechanic even better

[pierce]

Thanks Kev, I hadn't spotted the wiki, its brilliant

How would I go about finding a t25 mechanic to take a look and how much could I expect to pay? I am going on Wednesday daytime.

[Ian Hulley]

Fill your profile in with your where-abouts and people may be able to recommend someone.

Main issue is always bodywork, especially the seatbelt mounts under the front wheelarches, the jacking points (especially the rears), the front of the rear wheelarches, the trough behind the front bumper and the seam above the cill opposite the sliding door.

As for the engine check that from cold it doesn't smoke, insist on the van not being started till you get there, and if it's warm have strong words. Once warmed up check for coolant leaks from the rubber gaskets between the heads and the block ... if these are dripping run Forrest.

Oh and always leave a grand in the bank for that rainy day, cos it will come.

Ian.

[pierce]

Thanks Ian, some good tips

The van has been recently undersealed, will it stop me from checking the bodywork.

I am travelling up to near Glasgow from Liverpool on Wednesday morning, can pick up anywhere on route and will compensate.

[Ian Hulley]

Try PMing Fritz, he's en-route(ish) and knows his vans ... not sure what he works these days though of course.

[pierce]

Cheers, I have sent him a pm.

[Plasticman]

Freshly undersealed ,Hmmmmmm what is that covering up,
mike

[kevtherev]

what ever it is ... it's not going to get worse... assuming it's wax oyl

[Plasticman]

Whats not going to get worse?
waxoyl? where you get that info from
mike

[pierce]

Freshly undersealed ,Hmmmmmm what is that covering up,
mike

Is there any way of checking, he said it had just had some minor welding to the sills.

what ever it is ... it's not going to get worse... assuming it's wax oyl

[Aidan]

ask when the gearbox oil was last changed, if the reply is sealed for life then budget another £700, sealed for life meant 10 years /100k miles throw it away and buy a T4; 2-3 years 20k miles regular oil changes to get the best from these boxes imho

[pierce]

ouch, is that for re-con gearbox or to take out and change the oil.

[Aidan]

ouch, is that for re-con gearbox or to take out and change the oil.

that's average rebuild cost

oil is £20 to change and with the wiki you can do it yourself

[pierce]

Thank goodness for that