Is the decision I am currently having to make. My dilemma has stemmed from mrs santa telling me that for my birthday in march, I can have either the front seats and doors cards all professionally upholstered for the van OR a new engine fitted...
Before I make my choice, I need to find out more about replacing the engine. Can anyone help with a place that can fit a new lump somewhere in bucks/beds/Oxfordshire? And what engine would be easiest?? And approximate costs....
The van is petrol, by the way. And I am more concerned with (better) mpg rather than loads of power. From what I can gather on the wiki, an NA subaru engine would be best?
Any opinions greatly appreciated!
Upholstery or engine...?
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Santa79
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Upholstery or engine...?
1987 RHD Karmann Gipsy 1.9DG (Gaston)
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Einstein.
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Einstein.
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itchyfeet
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
Got to be engine thats the higher price pressie for sure or go lpg if the engine is good
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
itchylinks
itchylinks
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kevtherev
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
LPG all the way.!!
I pay 65p a litre for fuel.. roughly the same mpg..
it's a no brainer
I've had it for several years now, I must have saved a whole heap of money on fuel costs, probably paid for the conversion three times over now.
Never had a bother filling up, either here or on the continent.
It has NEVER let me down
I can even use petrol at the flick of a switch...should I ever be foolish enough to run out of gas.
I pay 65p a litre for fuel.. roughly the same mpg..
it's a no brainer
I've had it for several years now, I must have saved a whole heap of money on fuel costs, probably paid for the conversion three times over now.
Never had a bother filling up, either here or on the continent.
It has NEVER let me down
I can even use petrol at the flick of a switch...should I ever be foolish enough to run out of gas.
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)
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300CE
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
Would deffo go for the engine without a doubt Santa - the upholstery you can live with and change at anytime. Get her running well then go for the interior. Always have a look about in the meantime as the odd bargains also come up every now and again.
'86 DG, Weber Carb
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shepster
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
I would have thought there will be quite a price difference between having a couple of seats and a pair of door cards recovered compared to a new engine!
If it's for pure economy reasons and you're happy with the performance of your existing motor and it's in good nick then as suggested LPG has got to be the way forward, half your running costs immediately.
If it's for pure economy reasons and you're happy with the performance of your existing motor and it's in good nick then as suggested LPG has got to be the way forward, half your running costs immediately.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.
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Santa79
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
The engine is the original DG engine. I'm pouring oil and coolant into it at an alarming rate now (not in the same hole though!)
I am unable to find or fix the coolant leak and I think the oil leak could be a strip down to sort... this is why I'm thinking about changing the engine first, then going lpg on that at a later date.
Tbh I just want a much more labour friendly engine for now...
But the offer of upholstery is because we are currently revamping the inside of the van. I have just soundproofed all of the panels and am about to re-carpet from front to back so I think she would pay for all that too since they are roughly the same cost (and if I can convince her to!)
I am unable to find or fix the coolant leak and I think the oil leak could be a strip down to sort... this is why I'm thinking about changing the engine first, then going lpg on that at a later date.
Tbh I just want a much more labour friendly engine for now...
But the offer of upholstery is because we are currently revamping the inside of the van. I have just soundproofed all of the panels and am about to re-carpet from front to back so I think she would pay for all that too since they are roughly the same cost (and if I can convince her to!)
1987 RHD Karmann Gipsy 1.9DG (Gaston)
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Einstein.
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Einstein.
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shepster
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
A nice new interior is of little use if the van's stuck on the drive with a knacke*d engine!
Options I can see are.......
Get yours out and fix it, no idea how much as we don't know what needs doing.
Replacement 2nd hand 1.9 or 2.1 if you can fine a good one, anywhere between £400-£600 plus any ancilleries and fitting if you can't do it yourself.
Recon WBX, plenty of posts on here so I suggest you do a search and decide for yourself but I would of thought at least £1200 plus.
Scooby, again if you are paying for a drive in/out service I would guess at the 3.5k mark plus, plenty of people will be able to give you a better idea as they have done it, obviously cheaper if you buy the bits and do it yourself.
Good luck.
Options I can see are.......
Get yours out and fix it, no idea how much as we don't know what needs doing.
Replacement 2nd hand 1.9 or 2.1 if you can fine a good one, anywhere between £400-£600 plus any ancilleries and fitting if you can't do it yourself.
Recon WBX, plenty of posts on here so I suggest you do a search and decide for yourself but I would of thought at least £1200 plus.
Scooby, again if you are paying for a drive in/out service I would guess at the 3.5k mark plus, plenty of people will be able to give you a better idea as they have done it, obviously cheaper if you buy the bits and do it yourself.
Good luck.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.
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itchyfeet
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
If you can't find the coolant leak then it may not be the engine
If its the usual engine water jacket seal fail then you should be able to see coolant dripping off by crawling underneath
Look for white deposits which is evidence of dried coolant
Is the engine smoking the oil out or leaking
Oil leaks are usually the push rod tube seals or crank seals neither is an engine strip down to fix
Id be seeking advice before writing the engine off just yet
If its the usual engine water jacket seal fail then you should be able to see coolant dripping off by crawling underneath
Look for white deposits which is evidence of dried coolant
Is the engine smoking the oil out or leaking
Oil leaks are usually the push rod tube seals or crank seals neither is an engine strip down to fix
Id be seeking advice before writing the engine off just yet
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
itchylinks
itchylinks
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shepster
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Re: Upholstery or engine...?
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=126928" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.
Re: Upholstery or engine...?
Hi
I have a 4000mile vege recon (dg) engine for sale, still in the van so can be heard running. It will be complete and ready to put straight in with all ancilerys so dead easy.
Looking for £875 for the lot.
These are normaly £1550 just for the bare engine from vege, only live in suffolk so not a million miles away.
PM me if you fancy, or give me a bell on 01449 774440 or 07889890440.
Thanks
Chris
I have a 4000mile vege recon (dg) engine for sale, still in the van so can be heard running. It will be complete and ready to put straight in with all ancilerys so dead easy.
Looking for £875 for the lot.
These are normaly £1550 just for the bare engine from vege, only live in suffolk so not a million miles away.
PM me if you fancy, or give me a bell on 01449 774440 or 07889890440.
Thanks
Chris