Fitting a reccon/2nd hand engine..

[ccarpenter79]

Hi there,

I recently bought a van from eddie on here, on the way home having bought it I lost power. Not sure what happened but spat a lot of oil everywhere.

I've taken it to a classic car garage in swindon who've said that they think the piston in cylinder 3 is faulty. Having replaced the air filter and got it started again it's still spitting oil out and the van is officially sounding rough!! The occasional squeeking noise I heard when buying it from Eddie (and thought was a loose manifold or something) turns out to be a lot more consistent and louder now. This i'm told is caused by the piston inside cylinder 3. A common problem apparently?

The mechanic has advised a new (or decent second-hand) engine and has said that to fit it properly including cleaning and tuning the carbs will be roughly 10 hours labour......£400 ish just on labour and £2000 ish on a reccon engine. Ouch!

Volkspares.co.uk will do a TES engine (i think) for £1878 fitted, but I'd have to get it to south london.

I'm waiting on a few other options to get back to me - Laurie Petit for example, apparently good but pricey....Spannerboy may have a second-hand one....

I'm also aware that Elite are a cheaper recon engine but there seems to be quite a few people not happy with their work, or timescale.

Vege/Remtec seem to be the best recons (or the least moaned about!)...

Anyone have any more idea's or opinions?

Cheers!

[jamesc76]

Have you ever done anything on motors before ??? These engines especially the air cold stuff are really easy to swap! theres nothing to um really, I havent done in a while but sure people will tell you how! Once you find an engine you should be able to do it your self with basic tools and a trolly jack!

[Ian Hulley]

Once you find an engine you should be able to do it your self with basic tools and a trolly jack!

Like the man say's

[jamesc76]

searched ebay for an inspirational vid for you found this one ok its a beetle but on the van on would be even easier!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-38Znh_ ... re=related

[ccarpenter79]

Cheers guys, never changed an engine before and don't own much in the way of tools or jacks but perhaps it's time for all of that to change! Gonna get it back off the garage it's at now, I thought ten hours was a bit extreme - I knew they were pretty simple to drop in and out.

There's another guy in town who's been recommended as having a lot of VW experience - gonna take it to him when he gets back from holiday for another opinion, gives me some time to source a decent 2nd hand engine if not maybe he can fix the piston on my one.

May even give him a hand so i learn how to do it, sounds like I may be doing it now n then!

[hammy44]

get yourself a set of tools, you will be doing repaires yourself a lot from now on. but hey they are great vans, would not change mine for more modern crap.

[jamesc76]

simple set of tools, decent trolley jack, axle stands, and defo a haynes manual! cant go far wrong

[Ian Hulley]

It might help if you filled your profile in so's we can see roughly where you are, we may be able to either help you ourselves or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Ian

[72BUG]

As above Chris.

Unfortunately you've been bitten in the ass with a bit of bad luck early doors, but sooner or later we all have problems with these vans, which is why this forum is so invaluable for help, advice and parts.

Best advice I can give you is buy yourself a decent jack, socket set and spanners, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

These vans, especially the Aircooled stuff are basically just big Mecchano. You can fix most things yourself with basic tools and basic knowlege. Don't be afraid to ask questions, chances are, if you're doing any job then at least a dozen people on here will have done it before you, and there's often little tricks and tips which make life a lot easier.

It's gonna be an expensive business if you have to go to the garage every time you have a problem. It's surprising how quick you learn and there's no better feeling than fixing the van yourself.

[android]

I'd be happy to lend a hand if you are doing it yourself I dont have much in the way of tools or knowledge but I've got a haynes manual and am keen to learn these things myself...just in-case!

[MattyG]

i found this book pretty handy when i had a few engine problems - still got some though!!

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CC8Q8wIwAg#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ccarpenter79]

Thanks all, i'm gonna get this engine refitted for me - but I am gonna be there to watch/learn....I just need it done quick and haven't got a covered space to work on it.

Will definitely be purchasing some axel stands etc - can't afford to be taking trips to the garage all the time! The old mans drive and a tent job might become my workshop!

Android - thanks for the offer, if I do go down that route this time (prob not!) then I will give you a shout and we can try and figure it out one saturday!! Got a feeling we'll be doing that at some point!

[ermie571]

Matey,

dropping and refitting the Aircooled is the easiest engine to start with, as there is none of the wet stuff to worry about. Having done it myself, the worst bit was gettin it on and off the gearbox input shaft - but with a bit of wiggling we got there eventually!!

Believe me, you will learn an enourmous amount doing it yourself - you have a drive to use, and an offer of assistance - a great start - we had assistance but had to do it on the side of the road!!

good luck

Em
xx

[MattyG]

definately get some stands, a guy near me on dartmoor got crushed to death yesterday - he was under his car, his jack packed in and didnt have any stands.......

[ccarpenter79]

Thanks Matty - that's filled me with confidence!!!