rebuild or recon

[nearlythere]

My 1989 2.1 with 65000 miles has suffered a mortal injury, all seals, gasket head blown, local garage says rebuilds are expensive and not always sucessful due to age,and that a recon would be the way to go. any recomendations.

[mm289]

Bit more diagnosis needed here;

"All" seals or "oil" seals, "gasket head" or "head gasket"? WBX doesn't have a head gasket as such. Is your garage familiar with VW's? If not (and sometimes even if they are) recon is easier and might prove less costly unless you know (or the garage) knows there way around rebuilding one of these.

Just have to be a bit careful with who you use for your recon, if you trawl through here or use search you will soon pick up the vibes on who is good and who isn't.

Also have a look at my WBX 2.1 rebuild thread as it has some more answers for you.

Probably help others too know where you are in the country as well.

MM

[jamesc76]

welcome to the club!

[Huyton_Blue]

Why not just buiy a newie?

[nearlythere]

Thanks for the welcome, not sure of the technical terms, but all the engine coolant pouring from engine, drove about 5 miles before I realised something up, the garage is a respected VW specalist, who has serviced our vans for years. just reluctant to give up low milage orginal engine, for the unknown.

[twiggy]

Thanks for the welcome, not sure of the technical terms, but all the engine coolant pouring from engine, drove about 5 miles before I realised something up, the garage is a respected VW specalist, who has serviced our vans for years. just reluctant to give up low milage orginal engine, for the unknown.

I agree it seems a shame to replace the whole engine as it is the original lump so numbers match etc etc. but this may be the time to consider an upgrade to maybe a Scooby or AAZ. you get the benefits of this upgrade whilst you own and drive it.
Keep the original engine and if you ever sell the van at least the originality option is still there if that is important at the time.

tough call really I like originality too. but if mine went pop I think i might do the upgrade route Yummy.

keep us posted. and welcome to the club.

twiggy

[kevtherev]

My 1989 2.1 with 65000 miles has suffered a mortal injury, all seals, gasket head blown, local garage says rebuilds are expensive and not always sucessful due to age,and that a recon would be the way to go. any recomendations.

Yep I have one....
A second opinion.

[nearlythere]

Thanks Kevtherev, have quote for Vega recon engine, with Manchester air cooled, they seem like good fellas, they are working on my brothers type 2, at the moment, to be honest I 'm desperate to get the van back on the road for the summer, too many happy memories to let it rot.

[Aidan]

there's a guy on for sale selling some lovely engines

[rfarey]

Hi There.

I went through similar last summer.....
First thing, check its not just rotting cooling hoses. Mine had a split in one that you couldn't see that opened up when hot/pressurised. The water was then running down the back of the engine, running along the head seal and looking like a leak from the engine. I had 4 leaking pipes/joints that all managed to look like engine leaks but were fixed with a few new jubilee clips and bits of pipe. Having done that, my 1.9 DG was still getting through about 1/2 pint water a week and water was appearing on the top of the engine in small puddles as well as a few drips underneath. I got this down a bit with some liquid gasket pressed into the head seal edges, but ultimately couldn't stop it completely and wouldn't trust what is after all a bodge.

Checking the engine out, it had about 1/4 inch end float on the crank so was going to need more than just a change of head seals and trusted advise said it was 50/50 if I was going to get the heads off without snapping a rusty head bolt off in the block.

After a lot of head scratching, I went for a VEGE replacement fitted by a local garage near Stroud. All in it cost about £1700 because of all the extra bits and pieces that were needed (new exhaust parts, cooling pipes etc etc) that it would have been daft not to do at the same time. On the plus side its now as sweet as could be, driving like a new van and doesn't leave worrying drips everywhere. Right decision!

Good luck

[nearlythere]

Good afternoon everyone, happy to report, van has a new engine, clutch and steel pipes, running well at the moment have only managed 204 miles, since fitting due to work but all good so far,slight air lock in cooling system that needs to be cleared as soon as I have a day off, is this a big problem? dont want to take any chances with new engine, then we are ready for the happy holidays, thanks to everyone for advice.

[ermie571]

Get air lock sorted!!! Don't want to overheat your new engine!!!

Back to Manchester Aircooled for advice I guess.

Em
x

[nearlythere]

Cheers Em,
thats the plan ASAP, can't fault Manchester Air cooled, Good fella's got everything sorted out, no problems