air or water? that is the question.

[mabelthebus]

I have been looking for a t25, I have a lowish budget. I need a four berth bus ideally. So far I have found rough watercooled models but some reasonable looking earlier air-cooled variants, which also happen to be four berth, and proper camper vans.
Could anyone give advice on the air cooled vehicles, for instance are they as realiable as the later water-cooled engined models.
thanks mabel...

[OLD ONE]

I would say go for water. I have owned air , various models for over 25 years. I got my first water about 2 years ago. I have not had to put a spanner to it, apart from normal maintenance, all the time I have had it.(Now I bet the engine will blow up) And I find it easier to get parts

[mabelthebus]

Thanks Jono, Hiya Oldone, what problems have you experienced with the air cooled buses.

[kevtherev]

Now I bet the engine will blow up

*tsk tsk* now you've done it...quick turn round three times an click your heels.

water water Post '86 high top for nice cozy warm winter camping.
factory conversions offer more camping luxuries..(Auto sleeper, Devon, leisuredrive...etc)
£3500 will buy a beauty.
see wiki for camper prices

["WEAZLECHIN"]

if on a limited budget dont buy an Aircooled, with repair costs and fuel consumption, you will not have a budget to be tight with. in fact i wouldnt have thought any 25 year old vw is good for a tight budget, eg- look at all the problems posted on this forum, but if youve got loads of time on your hands its a good way to learn vehicle mechanics as most of your waking hours will be spent under your van(messing) and sourcing parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!! welcome.

[mabelthebus]

Cheers Gents, What is wiki???..

[geordie skydiver]

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki

[mabelthebus]

Thanks Lee, hows your ac been?

[geordie skydiver]

I'm on my third CU engine in 2 years, but I love it.

Mines a good example though, original Westy LHD, good nick, pulls 60/65 most everywhere except uphill.

I've done 3000 miles in the past 4 months or so, no problems other than added a little oil and chaged the fuel filter.

I'm just about to convert to LPG and then I'm off on a 1500mile trip in Europe.

If I had to do it again, I'd buy a great bodied Westy with a knackered 1.9 W/C and stick a Subaru engine in quick sharp.

[kevtherev]

me too ......(but an Auto-sleeper)

[mabelthebus]

Oh yes Subaru use flat4's so they'll fit in the short engine bay.. now I get it.
If I didn't want to do a transplant your saying go for wc then?

[CovKid]

An Aircooled T25 lacks the pipework and rad that you'd need for a transplant so its the other way round. The watercooled engine still has the thrilling dub-a-dub noise but its quieter and more efficient in my view.

The only real option for transplants in Aircooled T25s are with crewcabs since they have a taller engine bay meaning you could fit a bored up Beetle/Type2 engine - that can work rather well - done it myself and I was the first to ever try it in around 1983.

The Aircooled T25s were the result of VW testing the water with their new van in the early 80s (for three years in fact) and once they decided it was a hit, they redesigned the block to take water. Its a lot of weight to move on an Aircooled block. The ideal if you're not considering a Subura transplant is the water cooled 2.1 with possibly an LPG conversion as soon as you can afford it.

Even the water cooled guys and lasses on here have a fondness for the Aircooled principle, it was a damned clever little engine and made VW a successful company but the issue now is how little fuel you can get through for a set distance - petrol won't get cheaper now. And I agree, the Aircooled has a higher maintenance level - although I quite enjoyed that side before I hit my late 40s.....

[mabelthebus]

Thanks, great info.

[kevtherev]

Well put cov kid