I think there needs to be a bit of separation done between the engine rebuild itself and the engine fitting. I can see how fitting problems would result in a fire, but can't really see how a rebuild issue would unless something let go in a seriously dramatic way...ghost123uk wrote:How did their work cause your engine fire ?waltraud wrote:Personally i had a veey poor experience with them ending in a huge engine fire. You do tend to get what you pay for.
EliteVw
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
- AdrianC
- Registered user
- Posts: 2975
- Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 21:57
- 80-90 Mem No: 9144
- Location: Living in Hay whilst the Sun pours down.
- Contact:
Re: EliteVw
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- pionte
- Registered user
- Posts: 549
- Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
- 80-90 Mem No: 8209
- Location: Tonbridge Kent
Re: EliteVw
keith wrote:As with most transactions.....there is one golden rule which should never be breached......unless you want to open wide the doors to risk and buggery.
It is.....keep your money in the bank...or your pocket until you are happy with the goods.
I apply this in the local chip shop now.....show me the fish and chips....and i will give you the 3.50.
Never left the chip shop without my dinner.
£3.50 for Fish and chips..... thats cheap nearer £6 here

But back to topic, it would be great Tobyt25 if you could write a full report on what work was done, what the cost breakdown is and how neat the install is. It would really help others who are thinking of a new/recon engine and are looking for a company to use.

2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989
Re: EliteVw
Ill do a full breakdown of the price and parts asap. For now im really pleased, here is a pic.
Re: EliteVw
My experience of engine fire and subsequent issues was very traumatic to say the least, my engine was 'reconditioned' and re-fitted by elite, baywindow 2ltr cj i think... when its temperature went up on the motorway running in (additional temp gauge) i phoned for advice and was told not to worry as it was running hotter due to running in. Not long after on the same run, keeping it at or below 50 mph me and my 7yr old daughter saw flames coming up the rear air vents. It was ferocious...we did not look back and walked away to a safe distance. BTW It had new fuel lines and tank......this ended in huge fire, several explosions and complete closure of the M40....I dont think its a very helpful use of this forum to vent grievances and its a complicated story but suffice to say i would not use this company ever again. I cannot say for a fact that my incident was due to poor workmanship or lack of attention to safety and detail but it seems likely.
NB i do not think it is necessarily accurate to say that Campershack use elite as if suggesting that they endorse their work / engines.....but im sure this is something they coukd confirm if it was appropriate to say so publically....probably not.
NB i do not think it is necessarily accurate to say that Campershack use elite as if suggesting that they endorse their work / engines.....but im sure this is something they coukd confirm if it was appropriate to say so publically....probably not.
1983 1.9 Ivory Westy Joker
- sarran1955
- Registered user
- Posts: 1469
- Joined: 11 Mar 2009, 18:51
- 80-90 Mem No: 6754
- Location: 6, les Hauts de Sarran 19800, Sarran ,Limousin ,FRANCE
Re: EliteVw
Hello,
Over a thousand pounds..... and they don't even paint the tinware
Hope the rest of it is as good....
Cordialement,

Tobyt25 wrote:Ill do a full breakdown of the price and parts asap. For now im really pleased, here is a pic.
Over a thousand pounds..... and they don't even paint the tinware








Hope the rest of it is as good....

Cordialement,


- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12661
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: EliteVw
sarran1955 wrote:Hello,
Tobyt25 wrote:Ill do a full breakdown of the price and parts asap. For now im really pleased, here is a pic.
Over a thousand pounds..... and they don't even paint the tinware![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Hope the rest of it is as good....![]()
Cordialement,
You need to get a GB>F>GB pallet courier sorted and let's see you take on all these people ....
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
-
- Trader
- Posts: 8072
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: EliteVw
feck, i meant to get back to you with a price on this, and we have a member up north that is involved with palleting will chase it up
mm
mm
Re: EliteVw
????? I did not understand the last two replies?
- ghost123uk
- Registered user
- Posts: 6855
- Joined: 10 Mar 2006, 10:15
- 80-90 Mem No: 2585
- Location: John in Malpas, in the very S. W. part of Cheshire.
- Contact:
Re: EliteVw
Tobyt25 wrote:????? I did not understand the last two replies?
Sarran (LINK HERE) who posted above, is a bit of an expert on air cooled VW motors, but he lives in France. I think the suggestion is he sets up a courier service for the purpose of reconditioning engines. Not sure how serious / practical the suggestion is though.
Got a new van, but it's a 165bhp T4 [shock horror] Accurate LPG Station map here
- Ian Hulley
- Registered user
- Posts: 12661
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
- 80-90 Mem No: 1323
- Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill
Re: EliteVw
Tobyt25 wrote:????? I did not understand the last two replies?
It appears that if Sarran is as good as he sounds he could become VERY busy because every other 'reconditioner' seems to come in for a slating. A few core units for him to set up with and a reliable and sensibly priced pallet courier service and he'd be off and running.

Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure
-
- Trader
- Posts: 8072
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: EliteVw
ah but its maybe being done more as a vocation and so the hours of care put in are not really costed, as opposed to a general reconditioner, , also if you end up with a production line it may loose any charm involved ?
mm
mm
- sarran1955
- Registered user
- Posts: 1469
- Joined: 11 Mar 2009, 18:51
- 80-90 Mem No: 6754
- Location: 6, les Hauts de Sarran 19800, Sarran ,Limousin ,FRANCE
Re: EliteVw
Hello,
My ears are glowing.....
If we could find en economical way to pallet these engines.. and with a couple of cores as stock...
I would have no trouble doing more engines..
I have already invested in the tools and jigs..With more ideas coming up..
and I assure you that for £1000, you will get the tinware painted...
Yes a hand built engine takes time.. I do them as though they were for my van..
Though I must confess, this month my pocket money has been spent on ignition /piston setting tool for Peugeot mopeds....
Cordialement,

My ears are glowing.....

If we could find en economical way to pallet these engines.. and with a couple of cores as stock...
I would have no trouble doing more engines..

I have already invested in the tools and jigs..With more ideas coming up..
and I assure you that for £1000, you will get the tinware painted...





Yes a hand built engine takes time.. I do them as though they were for my van..
Though I must confess, this month my pocket money has been spent on ignition /piston setting tool for Peugeot mopeds....

Cordialement,


Re: EliteVw
I can vouch for Sarrans good character
. Must say i agree with mm that when a valued hobby becomes "work" then it is no longer as satisfying. I am a semi professional 5 string banjo player but also work and have a family, if the music gets too much, too busy or too many demands then it becomes another job to me.

1983 1.9 Ivory Westy Joker
Re: EliteVw
Still waiting for the paperwork, big puddle of oil under the van today. On driver side rear of the vehicle.
beginning to think the van is cursed. So fed up now and no money left. I could probably get elite to pick it up but don't want to wait weeks to get it back.

-
- Registered user
- Posts: 4447
- Joined: 13 Jan 2010, 12:42
- 80-90 Mem No: 4418
- Location: West London - 1985 westie pop top, LHD, 1900 DF engine
Re: EliteVw
Calm down. That could be as simple as a knackered rocker box gasket. I had one fail on a 'new' recon engine on my old air-cooled bay. The oil just poured out. I called my breakdown service (I was out on the road at the time wearing clean clothes). As I carried spare gaskets I told the breakdown guy the problem and how to fix it. 10 minutes later, I topped up the oil and off we went again.
The quality of these gaskets varies a lot. Some last for years, others are sub standard and just leak straight away from engine pressure. If that is the problem buy two new ones from Brickwerks, just in case the other gasket fails too. Fingers crossed.

The quality of these gaskets varies a lot. Some last for years, others are sub standard and just leak straight away from engine pressure. If that is the problem buy two new ones from Brickwerks, just in case the other gasket fails too. Fingers crossed.
