Air Cooled or Water Cooled?

[Tommy B]

I apologise in advance if this has been covered before, and I'm sure it has but couldn't find a clear answer...

Which is better - Air Cooled or Water Cooled?

I've got a 1.6 diesel water cooled, but have had some problems with it - no fixed, but not cheaply. I'm thinking of exchanging / upgrading the whole van, and wondered if I should go for an older air cooled model this time. Some folks have advised that if in good condition (and I think that might be the key), the air cooled version tends to come with a lot less problems, and is generally much easier and cheaper to fix.

True or False?!

[camper]

Why not upgrade to a 1.9 na water cooled engine loads on here have done this including my self. The engine code is 1Y removed from mid 90s golfs caddy seat.

[Titus A Duxass]

Watercooled.
The time for lawnmower engines has long gone.

A well maintained diesel should give very few problems if driven with consideration (i.e. not like a modern car).

[dash]

I have spent a lot of time cursing the wasserboxer lumps in the two vans I've had because it seems like a continual battle to keep it watertight.

Then I remember that it means my van actually accelerates

[Tommy B]

Thanks for the info guys.

[kit]

Go the 1y route, a cheap upgrade but one you will benefit from.

[CovKid]

Not cheaper to fit an Aircooled, parts have always been expensive unless its a beetle engine. Would agree with above, the Aircooled lump (much as I admire its simplicity) has had its day and few if any good ones around . If you have a rad, lots of choice.

[faggie]

i have both and if the engines are standard i would take the Aircooled every time

[ninja.turtle007]

If air cooled are better why do VW currently use water cooled?

Most obvious upgrade as has been mentioned is 1y. You should also consider 2E/AGG. Lots of info on here and BY about these conversions.

Alternatively and much more costly is TDI, but very very good.

[faggie]

because you would not get a standard Aircooled motor through the emision tests of new vehicles , the type 4 engine was in production longer than the wbx , it was even fitted to the 912 and 914 porsche its loads easier to fix and there are more tuning parts available the only plus side of the wbx motor is the fuel comsumption and better heater ,

[BOXY]

I've had my air-cooled van since Feb 2009. I average about 5000 miles a year and get about 18 mpg. In three years all I've done to keep it running is:-

Crank-shaft oil seal fixed a month after I got the van
Rocker cover seals changed twice
Brief flirtation with electronic ignition before going back to a 009
Oil & filter change once a year
New fuel filter twice
One new set of plugs

The sound and simplicity of the air-cooled engine would make it my replacement of choice again. Yes it's fuel hungry and I have to dress up to drive in winter but it's got me to wherever I've pointed it for three years. Any replacement engine is going to be a gamble, & even a recon / refurb and a few air-cooled owners on here have had engines that turned into money-pits. If being "modern" is important buy a newer model of van.

[billy739]

typical problem , ask yourself

why are other 30 year old vehicles no longer on the road?

a good maintained vehicle is reliable.

after so long with lots of owners and for some they are ' just a van' lots of things can need replacing- you can keep bodging or repalce with new , but this means ££- usually why cheap vans are cheap!

even the Aircooled stuff will have probelms , like poor heaters , most people say ' oh well get the gloves out ' as opposed to a watercooled witha leaking heater and you cant drive it. Aircooled heater system - price up good new parts!

with this age of vehicle expect to put some money in , when i bought mine it had NEW engine/ gearbox/brakes /suspension and as since has done 45000 miles without breaking down , most of which its towed a caravan with 4 people and all the gear!

[camper]

Billy739 what engine are you running for 45000 miles without break down?.

[billy739]

the engine is irrelevant , its more i fitted a NEW one!- no matter which engine a good one will do the job well

along with the engine i also fitted NEW GENUINE gaskets , water pump , cambelt kit , rebuilt injectors no expense spared and its paid off!


but for the record i run Peugeot 2.1 12v diesel- personal choice - i run pugs in all my vans , the last one did 75000 miles before i sold it , this year my daily drive has done almost 11000 miles , but thats a 1.9pug turbo - soon to be 2.1 converted tho


if anyones interested £5500 gets the 2.1td camper tax&tested EPS AAP (autohomes ) as i havent used it the last 2 months now the kids are older i can use my tin top.
and you wont find a more reliable / sorted camper but as all of them it needs a couple of things

[Titus A Duxass]

the engine is irrelevant , its more i fitted a NEW one!- no matter which engine a good one will do the job well

along with the engine i also fitted NEW GENUINE gaskets , water pump , cambelt kit , rebuilt injectors no expense spared and its paid off!

Good point well made. I fitted a good known recon 1,6JX which cost nearly double than the cheaper option.
It's done 50K kms without a hiccup, including six non-stop trips of over 700km.
Just keep changing the oil and filter, driving it with consideration and keep a watchful eye on the temp gauge.
I'm about to flog that engine as I'm getting a 2.0 Petrol put in.