A returning VW fan needs help with my 1.6 TD Doka

[mrnickmuss]

After a long time nostalgically watching various VW campers fly by and explaining to my two boys (9&5) how when I used to have my split screen we would all wave to each other.... I have been made redundant as a youth worker and have spent most of my redundancy on buying a 1990 German import crew cab Doka. 1.6 TD (although it seems a bit quick for a 1.6)
I have bought it as a work horse for a social enterprise I am setting up; teaching young people traditional rural skills to build timber framed round houses as community spaces around Devon.
All seemed well for the first week, the previous owner assured me there would be no nasty surprises... with my previous days of messing around with various VWs I was fairly confident that I had bought a decent reliable vehicle..... Yes you know what's coming...... It has developed a few little habits... First the clutch is slipping, usually in third up hill. Looking on wiki I can see that there is an opinion that this can happen with upgraded engines, I have had it checked by a qualified mechanic who assures me it is a 1.6 so I have booked it in for a new clutch.... Any advice on affordable quality replacements??? Or any thoughts????
secondly the van seems to 'rumble' at low speeds it has 17" porsche split rims With low profiles (would not be my first choice on the Devon country roads. One wheel has a ding in it, would this cause the rumbling?
Thirdly it does smoke a bit, blue when I am accelerating up hill, is this timing? Turbo seems quiet.
(The engine has had a new head and cam belt recently after an over heating issue)
Finally maybe connected to the above..?????
Glow plugs how long should it take for the light to go out when cold??????
I know it depends how cold, but it seems to be far longer than any of my previous diesel vehicles!
Thanks for reading my ramblings!!!!!!!

[California Dreamin]

Point one:
Just make sure you buy a quality branded NEW replacement, LUK or Sachs...supplied by: Euro Car Parts, GSF, Brickwerks.

Point 2:
Could be tyre noise....your explaination is a bit vague.

Point 3:
They can smoke a bit on full throttle but again without actually seeeing it....

Point 4:
These are 'old stlie' glow plugs in an 'Indirect' diesel engine so warm up is slower....perhaps up to 8 seconds on a cold day....others might have different experiences.


Martin

[billybigspud]

porsche split rims should not be on your doka and should be given to me immedietly with all spacers and adaptors for free

well, you gotta try

[mrnickmuss]

The wheels look great when they are not covered in cow sh** there's just not much give int the skinny tyres as I bump down the lanes. Also with it being lowered I won't get much else under the arches.
Any suggestions for other wheel tyre combinations much appreciated . Obviously money will have to exchange hands unless these magic beans I have......
Sorry for being vague with the rumbling.... I will take my friendly mechanic for a spin tomorrow.... I am probably being nostalgic for the days when all I needed was a peice of string a pen knife and a clean handkerchief to fix anything on my 60s air-cooled! I will have to get to know this vehicle and in time........