potential t25 owner needs advice.

[mullarkey]

Firstly i know practically nothing about car mechanics but i am keen to learn. I am looking at buying a 1989 T25 and i have not had a chance to physically inspect her yet (over 300 miles from me). The current owner tells me the engine is a 1.6 air cooled non-turbo diesel with a four speed transmission. When I looked for info on the T25 i read that by 1985 all models were water cooled, had the diesel upgraded with a turbo and had square lights.So The van in question has the old engine and round lights and but as i said is registered as 1989. So is this possible? or is she mutton dressed as lamb? I do like the look of her on paper apart form the engine which is notoriously underpowered, which leads me to another question . what is a ballpark figure for converting to a more modern 1.9 turbo diesel? given that i will probably not be doing the work myself and it sounds like the gear box needs attention anyway (slips out of first when idleing)

[Plasticman]

Hi fella
post a link to the advert as what you describe dont really exist
mike

[mullarkey]

Here you go Mike, will appreciate any advice.
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/campers/1993428

[Plasticman]

Ok, i take it youve had a natter with the seller? that or your a mind reader! its not Aircooled its watercooled, all deisels are. non turbo is slow and as I spend a lot of time in Ireland I know what the hills are like!
If hes telling you it leaves first on idle then youve got to allow for a gearbox, €350+++s/hand plus fitting, so that would be one of you early expenses,
theres a good ding in the reaar 1/4 and from what I see of the pickies there is good seam rust that looks to have been painted over,
dont look that appealing to me,
whereabouts are you(town) and where is the van(town)all will become clear......
might pay also to do a few lines in general chat by way of introducing yourself
mike

[Hacksawbob]

Just gut feeling from the pictures the sliding door looks a little patchy, good be just rain. Rear window near corner has a bit of a rustyness,not a good picture of the fridge vent side where they all seem to go from the moisture from the fridge. Looks like a proper conversion rather than a DIY (although not necessarily) , if it was a pro conversion like autohomes there would likely be some decals on the outside originally which would point to a respray. If it has been resprayed to what standard? has rust been removed and replaced with new metal? or is she a filler queen? I would certainly be asking for a lot of detailed images before I trawled 300 miles for it. Especially window seals jacking points front behind bumper, fridge vent side, engine bay etc.

[riffboy]

To be completely honest if you know NOTHING about mechanics etc i wouldnt touch it lol. Or at least take someone with you who knows these buses, and is willing to do any work for you. It's ok being willing to learn but there are cheaper learning tools about. I dont claim to be a mechanic but i have owned enough crap cars to have learnt my way around em a bit and develop a bit of knowledge.

I dont like the sound of it popping out of first when it's idling? Weird?

If you are certain though, then go for it and all the best!