need great mechanic van stuck in Lewes/ Brighton!

[kookychick]

Need advice please:
drove my van down from London to Lewes last weekend, and it was spluttering backfiring and burning oil and generally limping ; it won't make it back to London like that. I'd just had the timing adjusted, at a reputable VW garage who told me they did an engine compression test and the engine's had it. Need a new one they said.


Can anyone recommend a good garage in Lewes / Brighton area who could have a look, give me a second opinion and possibly sort out an engine transplant for my dear old friend ? I can't drive it too far, otherwise I'll need a tow / recovery.

thanks in advance
Laura

[MattBW]

I dont know anyone there sadly, but it may be cheaper to join the AA and then get Relay than pay for recovery with a private firm About 80 quid with new member discount I think. Tow truck will cost you at least £150 I wager.

[HarryMann]

Yup that's usually the necessary backstop... AA best, RAC and others runners up. Whats yer van, can't see your profile on my mob, but if compressions are down then major rebuild or a newy.

Possibly someone down there with knowledge might stick their head up.
Good luck..

[kookychick]

its a 1989 1.9l petrol.

seemed to be running OK at the end of last year, but after all winter parked up, he's gone right off.

thanks for the reminder about the AA recovery: I can get them to take me to a garage if I can find a local one.

Hope someone from the area can help with a recommendation

[Ian Hulley]

Fresh petrol perhaps ? Gummed up carb, stale fuel, blocked fuel filter are the usual signs of a seasonally used van. BTW the timing fairy doesn't go round attacking vans that are parked up ... like carb mixtures if it was really ok when parked up it'll be ok now.

Ian

[JonnyAtlantic]

I live in Hove next to Brighton. There is a garage local to me that has a guy called Dave who has been working on these vans for years and seems to know his stuff.

Pfieffer Partnership
1-3 Westbourne place
Hove
Tel: 01273 731385

Hope that helps.

[HarryMann]

That sounds a good recommendation

...and I agree, engines don' just lose compression and go off over winter, possibly something basic due lay up is wrong.

Very suspicious you had the timing adjusted I'd say... for what reason?

Let us know how you get on. 1.9's tend to be somewhat less prone to terminal failures than most of the other T25 power plants.