HELP !!! Helga's engine has bit the dust

[syncropaddy]

Intercooler won't work if its caked with mud...and it most likely will be very soon as its low at the back..you know this..

I agree if you put it in the wrong place. Radiators up front can get clogged up too .....

[max and caddy]

It's got to go somewhere...I was rather it was at the front myself...where's yours?

[jebiga41]

It's got to go somewhere...I was rather it was at the front myself...where's yours?

In his shed

[jebiga41]

If your going to go to the effort to go overlanding properly and you want to make the most of your 4x4 and do the routes other 4x4's do then you need to take lots of weight with you. You need to carry that weight (fuel, water, stuff... ) if you want to stay "out there" for any amount of time. If you hit soft sand you will obviously be airing down to the correct tyre pressure but not to much that your tyre will come off the rim and land you in deep s**t unless your in a group with others you can share spare wheels with. If you hit dry soft sand, and I believe you use up to 40% more fuel (from the overlanders I have been speaking with) compared with doing the same route on gravel. That 40% more fuel is used up in dry soft sand because sand zaps the power from your engine, especially when fully loaded in places you want to go because you have a 4x4 and want to make the most of it. To use 40% more fuel through power zapping soft powder sand then your going to have to have an engine that runs cool enough and with lots of power to push you through.

Interesting points there Jed whilst I haven't been in a 4x4 in Morroco myself, I have done some pistes in a rental cars there amazing how far you can get in a 205 From my limited experience there, I could see weight being the biggest issue especially when carrying water and fuel and I would think that economy would be again more important than power (less fuel to bring) which would probably favour the TDI over the AAZ, although a 1Y or JX would probably beat both of the above. From what I saw unless you are dune bashing soft sand only lasts for short periods as most desert is rocky. On most tracks we encountered that we were piste driving the biggest concern was feeling the rocks underfoot and worrying about cracking the sump however it depends on where you want to go I suppose and how long you want to be away from any form of civilisation.

[KarlT]

The vast majority of Morocco pistes are like this, and would be pissed by a 2WD with 8 ply tyres & correct air-pressures......








However the real fun stuff is like this, and will totally f##k your big heavy 2WD or 4WD or JX or AAZ or TDi.........







If true (unsupported) overlanding, this fun stuff, in desolate places, is very risky. You need lightness, basic equipment, & stuff that can be fixed by yourself or the locals.

[silverbullet]

And the OP originally wrote:

Advice needed please
When I bought Helga she had an Audi TD AAZ engine which has thrown all the coolant and seized. Half the people I have spoken too say running a syncro with an AAZ is too much bus for the engine. Some say upgrade to a VW Passat as it is better suited. Which one tho ? I have been offered a Golf TDI engine but will this not be under the same strain as the AAZ ?
AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH !!!!!! Too many choices..............

Neil

How did this get to discussing lightweight desert overland trips?

[jed the spread]

[syncropaddy]

It's got to go somewhere...I was rather it was at the front myself...where's yours?

In his shed

Correct!

It will be fitted as close to the turbo as possible, air will be ducted to it from the top of the C post, it will have a cooling fan, and the air will be extracted from it via ducting. It will be sealed up as much as possible to maximise cooling and keep muck out!

[syncropaddy]

If your going to go to the effort to go overlanding properly and you want to make the most of your 4x4 and do the routes other 4x4's do then you need to take lots of weight with you. You need to carry that weight (fuel, water, stuff... ) if you want to stay "out there" for any amount of time.

Weight is the enemy! Lightness is your friend!

[Syncrobaz]

Just glad I have a sweet MV Just jump in and drive it!!! Gearbox ratios, Intercoolers etc.

Life's too short.

[KarlT]

You make a good point Baz, and it is kinda appealing, VW designers/engineers do take some beating. But I wonder how many vans on here are stock? I don't know of any. Once you start changing one thing it has a knock on effect to another.

[Syncrobaz]

Apart from 15" wheels mine's stock, 80's technology at it's best

It does what it say's on the tintop and I love it

(Mind you I am an old fart) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lloydy]

Staying standard has many good points for sure!

[sausage fingers]

Spoke to a guy today who thinks I should throw 4.5k at him for a Subaru conversion

[lloydy]

TDI conversion is the same price