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Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 09:24
by bertnuggit
Hi Bigmanandy, in a similar position to you! Bought my T25 last year & put a lot of time/money into getting it fixed. My previous camper was stolen & I admit I bought this one without examining it fully!
Main problem remained - low compression, with the van struggling on hills....Got final verdict from Brickwerks, the engine has had it....I thought of selling but spotted an engine on Ebay & bought it...Bit of a gamble, the engines have different cooling setup, but I got the camper MOT'd & a local garage are going to swap the engine over.
I've probably spent more now than the van would sell for, but you reach a point where you cut your losses or see it through...fingers crossed this engine swop will be a success...think my exhaust could be no good - they're expensive!!!
How much can you spend? A recon engine will cost more but have a warranty.....
All the best with it

Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 10:01
by Cruz
Not much info on their work that's more recent than 08 and 09 though.
they have been linked to volkspares who had a bad rep.
E D I T: Found this on volksworld that is reputedly by the owner of TES
Jim Gray wrote:My name is Jim Gray owner of The Engine Shop. I did use to work for volkspares, but left when it was sold back in 2004. I purchased the engine re-manufacturing side of the business and started The Engine Shop. I WAS going to work closley with the new management but soon fell out with them, i did not aggree with their management style! That side of my business was going to be Volkspares London Ltd. We are now just The Engine Shop Ltd and have no association with Volkspares Ltd, WE DO NOT SUPPLY THEM WITH ENGINES. Between us at The Engine Shop we have over 40 years experience in re-building VW engines. We are based in a large industrial unit in Erith, kent and have a fully equiped machine shop in house. We are please to show people around even if you'r not in the market for an engine! I am the same person who does the engine displays and am happy to help people with their engine problems. I can be contacted on 01322 350022 or or
http://www.theengineshop.info" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I am here to help the VW scene and to make The Engine Shop a name to be proud of, I AM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER COMPANY!
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 10:05
by kevtherev
So the 25 year spannerman reckons there's £1500+ of work there?
Hmmm
spending money on my van is easy I utterly love it. It's not nor will it ever be a financial asset
Our van has changed our lives in many positive ways.
I can understand folks who bought the dream only to have it taken away by a buggered engine or an amount of welding a shipyard couldn't cope with.
I doubt that engine has had it.
But the cure to use the camper is quicker to replace it.
Then have your old engine fix it up and either sell it or keep it as a spare
selling it will offset the replacement cost.
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 11:16
by bertnuggit
Ian Hulley wrote:Unknown s/h engine ~£200 - £400 NOT a choice I would take again !
Yes! I might have done a bad thing....Best to get an engine you know is good when you consider Labour costs & other parts attached (exhaust etc)...
I was considering my options when I spotted an engine on Ebay & then won it with my lowish bid...I hope it pays off, but I am a bit nervous, waiting for the garage to call......
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 11:21
by Ian Hulley
bertnuggit wrote:Ian Hulley wrote:Unknown s/h engine ~£200 - £400 NOT a choice I would take again !
Yes! I might have done a bad thing....Best to get an engine you know is good when you consider Labour costs & other parts attached (exhaust etc)...
I was considering my options when I spotted an engine on Ebay & then won it with my lowish bid...I hope it pays off, but I am a bit nervous, waiting for the garage to call......
I fitted our unknown 2.1 (with lots of help from some old chums) and it's soul destroying when the replacement goes breasticles-up as well ! Been there done that

Ended up paying for a known new Elite rebuild.
Ian
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 13:09
by Ralf85
I spoke to my garage about vege engines and they refused to fit them in future, after a recent experience of a dodgy rebuild. What I cannot fathom is why Elite can supply a 1.9 engine for £900 when The Engine Shop charges £1329. Yet they both seem to be providing the same product. Or am I missing something?
Patrick
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 15:00
by kevtherev
You are..
An elite engine is a replacement engine fitted and working.
The vege or other supliers are reconditioned to varying degrees
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 22 Jun 2011, 15:12
by Ian Hulley
I'm guessing the truth of the matter is that Elite test the engine when it comes in and replace parts that need replacing, rebuild and reseal. Others are supposed to go further down the reconditioning route but some have been caught with their (VERY expensive) pants down of late, their 'We Only Fit New Parts' statements have been shown to be a load of bull droppings.
Ian
Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 25 Jul 2011, 11:18
by bigmanandy
Well in the end we went for an Elite engine for £900, all went smoothly.
The engine is all in and running and runs well, just got a problem with the radiator fan not working now, if its not one thing its another

Re: recon engine advice
Posted: 25 Jul 2011, 14:05
by bertnuggit
Glad to hear you've had success bigmanandy!! My Update then!! ....... Engine (£100) & new exhaust system (£450) fitted but I haven't got my camper back yet - need to fix an oil leak!! I did visit the garage to start it up, sounds lovely!!!
Extra cost for a set of push rods & the labour ..... I hope that sorts the oil leak & I get my van back this week ..... its been a while .....
