The Can of Worms

[Roving Rich]

Hello ladies and Gentlemen. My first post - but you might be seeing alot of me.
Well I think I have gone and done it.
I just bought a remarkably cheap Syncro from evilbay.
Its yellow - just like a lemon?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... fresh=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So are any of you familiar with this particular van ?
I'm certainly no expert. I drove a friends off road a few years back and figured it was awesome ! But he didn't like the 1.6 Diesel.
I guess I was swayed by the TDi conversion - which is a great engine IMHO.
Now having investigated a bit further tha front prop being disconnected is really concerning me.
is the Viscous Coupling "fryer tucked" ? If so how much grief is a new one. £££ and hours of spannerwork and cursing ?
It is a mile away form Syncrospares so i might pick it up and take it straight around to them to check it out.
Atleast is has an MOT.
The plan is to do it up, turn into a camper with pop top and tour the world with the wife and kids! Well get upto Sweden maybe ? and dream of the Atlas mountains..the Sahara...Thw world is your lobster with syncro.

What do you think ?
Regards
Rich

[Peninsulakid]

Top Effort Rich

Welcome to the club, loads of good friendly folk on here with top advice.

Reckon you had a good buy. I'm not really qualified to comment on the mechanical stuff but I'm sure you'll get great advice from all the technical guys.

Best of luck with the build

Rich

[..lee..]

welcome on board rich. that was a brave buy blind. hope it pays of for you. prop`s off and front diff is apparently not a match for the rear gearbox although he did say he`d include the correct diff in the sale get a full check over before you start throwing money at it.

lee.

[ELVIS]

You tried dave@ http://www.futbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ?

Years of Syncro ownership/spannering under his belt and in Newton Abbott so quite close. Used by quite a few peeps on here for servicing/maintainance work. Done a few Tdi conversions aswell apparently so will know what hes looking at

[KINGPRAWN]

i've not been here long myself and after owning my bus for nearly 9 years now i only wish i'd found this forum earlier. i've never spent so much money on anything with wheels including all my bikes over the years, but for some perverse reason i don't seem to mind keeping this money pit going...its a on going challenge and i couldn't be without it!......good luck and enjoy!!!!

[KarlT]

If so how much grief is a new one. £££ and hours of spannerwork and cursing ?
It is a mile away form Syncrospares so i might pick it up and take it straight around to them to check it out.
Atleast is has an MOT.
The plan is to do it up, turn into a camper with pop top and tour the world with the wife and kids! Well get upto Sweden maybe ? and dream of the Atlas mountains..the Sahara...Thw world is your lobster with syncro.

What do you think ?
Regards
Rich

Loving your attitude, fella. Don't let the bastrd wear you down!!!

I, like many, was watching that one out of interest, lots of possible scary/minging issues but sure you'll learn (& spend) alot.
Did you manage to view/drive before buying? Where are you based?

Some people wrongly think taking off the prop saves fuel but everyone takes of the prop when their VC is f'ked. You may be lucky. Try contecting it up on loose/gravel ground. Replacement is about £500/600 plus fitting, I think.

Good luck, keep us up-dated.

[Roving Rich]

Well I bought it blind. Still not seen it. I have spoken to the owner, and there are a few contradictions in what he has said.
I did't really expect to win TBH. Usualy Syncros go for much more money ? So I guess you all avoided this one.
I'm based near Reading Berkshire/oxforshire, so a bit of a hike down there to get it.

I'm guessing the Viscous coupling is shot ? Why would you buy a syncro and make it 2 wheel drive ? Just buy a normal T25.
So apparently the previous owner had it for many years and had the TDi conversion done. This must cost a bit to do through a garage ?
Then it stood not getting used, MOT expired - new owner new MOT, just 1 small patch on the sill apparently.

So if it "just" the viscous coupling - Still a good price. I watched "Jed the spreads" video on replacing the VC and it seems fairly straightforward.
Along with unseizing the diff lock actuator while he was about it. Now according to the buyers guide I read (after winning it DOH !) the VC goes binary it works or it doesn't. 2wd or stuck in permanent 4x4. I'm not sure how permanent 4x4 can be a bad thing ?) But apparently this can leed to "transaxle" damage - which means the front diff and driveshafts i guess.

welcome on board rich. that was a brave buy blind. hope it pays of for you. prop`s off and front diff is apparently not a match for the rear gearbox although he did say he`d include the correct diff in the sale get a full check over before you start throwing money at it.

lee.

So errr what diff should I have ? Is the rear one part of the gearbox, which has changed with the engine ? How do i tell the difference.

You tried dave@ http://www.futbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ?

Years of Syncro ownership/spannering under his belt and in Newton Abbott so quite close. Used by quite a few peeps on here for servicing/maintainance work. Done a few Tdi conversions aswell apparently so will know what hes looking at

Thanks for the heads up Elvis - I'll give him a call. I figured Sycrospares are quite likely to have met the van before being 1 mile down the road.

I don't really don't want to go kick the tyres. Not my style, but I'd like the guy to be honest.

Cheers
Rich

[..lee..]

from what i can gather the van was petrol. its had the tdi put in and the tank changed. its had the petrol box swapped out for a diesel box but the front diff is still the petrol one. well thats pretty much what he told me. i`m guessing the po thought it would need diesel box and diff for the tdi and did half a job. he did tell me he`d include the diesel diff in the sale. i`m guessing the ratio`s are not compatable between the box and diff so the prop would need to be removed. think he mentioned he removed the prop to get better fuel economy so question is did he use it with the incompatable diff and box if indeed they are incompatable. seems po did the tdi and box swap so it sounds like its been used with prop on for a little while??

something doesn`t seem quite right. either the current owner doesn`t really know what he`s got or there is some cover up going on. a friend was interested but too many ?? for my liking.

if it makes you feel any better there is no such thing as a cheap syncro most bargains end up emptying your wallet and most good ones end up doing the same.

lee.

[syncropaddy]

Now according to the buyers guide I read (after winning it DOH !) the VC goes binary it works or it doesn't. 2wd or stuck in permanent 4x4. I'm not sure how permanent 4x4 can be a bad thing ?) But apparently this can leed to "transaxle" damage - which means the front diff and driveshafts i guess.

Permanent 4X4 in a Syncro is bad as the VC acts as the 'centre diff' and if its failed in permanent 4x4 mode then you loose the differential effect between the front and rear axle and then you wind up the whole system, not just the transaxle. The transaxle, by the way, is what we term the gearbox.
Most Japanese 4x4's come without a centre diff as standard and 'transmission windup' is there if you engage the 4x4.

I think you should see what the marking on the front diff and gearbox are and see if they match. Ask our resident gearbox guru Aidan, but it does sound as if the front is a petrol diff and the gearbox is off a diesel. It might even be a 2wd box as he mentions 5 gears in his sales blurb! It could also be that the seller doesn't have a clue what he has.

I wish you luck with your project and as its been said here before - there is no such thing as a cheap Syncro

[lloydy]

Good luck!
you got it cheap enough to be able to sink some money into it. Tdi conversion is an expensive upgrade.
lloyd

[Chilla]

Hey mate
The vehicle is listed in South Moulton....home of syncrospares. May be an idea to take it in to the guys there first before taking it home.....welcome to the empty wallet club

[Chilla]

ok should have read the whole post

[Roving Rich]

Good luck!
you got it cheap enough to be able to sink some money into it. Tdi conversion is an expensive upgrade.
lloyd

Yup - that is what i figured. But really don't want a whole catalogue of stuff to do.
Sound like it is a good 2WD van -but not really what i was looking for in a syncro !

Hey mate
The vehicle is listed in South Moulton....home of syncrospares. May be an idea to take it in to the guys there first before taking it home.....welcome to the empty wallet club

Cilla-Yeah, gonna give em a call, but I'll prolly pick it up sunday so don't thnik they will be about.

from what i can gather the van was petrol. its had the tdi put in and the tank changed. its had the petrol box swapped out for a diesel box but the front diff is still the petrol one. well thats pretty much what he told me. i`m guessing the po thought it would need diesel box and diff for the tdi and did half a job. he did tell me he`d include the diesel diff in the sale. i`m guessing the ratio`s are not compatable between the box and diff so the prop would need to be removed. think he mentioned he removed the prop to get better fuel economy so question is did he use it with the incompatable diff and box if indeed they are incompatable. seems po did the tdi and box swap so it sounds like its been used with prop on for a little while??

something doesn`t seem quite right. either the current owner doesn`t really know what he`s got or there is some cover up going on. a friend was interested but too many ?? for my liking.

if it makes you feel any better there is no such thing as a cheap syncro most bargains end up emptying your wallet and most good ones end up doing the same.

lee.

Thats my understanding. So the guy says that the PO removed the prop shaft. But says in tha ad that he removed it for better MPG. Doesn't add up
He says he needs a bigger van for europe - Then on the phone tells me he has bought another t25 with a porsche engine - Again doesn't add up
On the otherhand - it clearly hasn't put him off T25s -so can't be all bad. If the prop is off then maybe the viscous coupling is OK ? and there is a diff to swap out and things will work. As i said in the title its a can of worms.
Oh - and he says both gearboxes are 5 speed ? Are all sycros (petrol and diesel) 4 speed ? and is there a crawler "G" gear ?

I need to know more abut the TDi conversion - forum search coming up. What box ? what ratios ? My friend says they have to go in on an angle, so there are sump issues ?

Thanks for all you input folks its very reassuring.
Rich

[futbus]

I think your have quite a steep learning curve, but if there is anything we can help with then give us a call.

Dave
http://www.futbus.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lloydy]

Yup - that is what i figured. But really don't want a whole catalogue of stuff to do.
Sound like it is a good 2WD van -but not really what i was looking for in a syncro !

For that price, i think you'll have a lot to do!
Suppose it depends on how much of the van you want working. Me, i want everything working correctly so am spending a good sum on it. You just need to keep an eye on the final value of your van and try to keep within it. Not easy
TDI engine needs a box rebuild with different ratio's as a TDI's torque is a lot lower down the rev range. Thats probably the only tech knowledge you'll get from me.
Just figure on 6k spend to turn it into a working syncro camper, and if you come in less than that, consider yourself lucky. Oh and get some more pics up