Club 80-90 Forums

Well the saga continued for some time.

Replaced water pump and got a new thermostat from a different supplier and make. Tested it before fitting, fitted, van driven, over heated, tested thermostat - not working!  This is the fourth thermostat which has stopped working once fitted.  

Finally the coolant chemical test turned green.  A look at the engine showed three rings "gone".  Chicken and egg here.  Did all the overheating "cook" the engine or was the engine the cause of the overheating?

Fortunately, I have been given a new fully reconditioned engine replacement. Bought a new thermostat as well!

While the engine is out, just having a little engine bay welding done to keep it in top shape.  New engine being fitted in a couple of days.

Just keep shaking my head.  Never had this in 17 years.  Have seen on FB a couple of similar threads.  Can the quality of parts be really dropping?

TheVWenginecompany. I have had a very bad experience with this company. They fitted an engine in my  van. After a thousand miles it started smoking badly on startup. I had the van shipped to them it cost me £750 they said it was a faulty injector. I had the injectors refurbished and the engine still smoked. I decided to have another vw specialist company inspect the engine. They diagnosed a badly built engine. TheVWenginecompany has denied it was their problem. I have lost a lot of money over this. Buyer beware.

Thanks Rob - very worrying.
My third new engine from them (supplied under warranty) is currently being fitted - being tuned on rolling road - will have to wait and see...

Well, engine has been fitted, camper running well, no overheating yet.  Impressed with the rolling road tuning...

 Back on the road with the new engine. 1000 miles done. Running smoothly - rolling road tuning makes a difference.
After the 500 mile running in - changed oil and filter and then sent the oil off for analysis - this came back within a week - all good.

No overheating or leaks. However, the coolant overflow/expansion bottle does not have any water in it.  The main bottle is full as it should be, but there doesn't appear to be an "expansion". No loss of coolant, all working well.

My question(s): should the expansion tank have been "filled slightly", should I put I out some in, is there a problem?   Thanks...

Yeah make sure there's some in the tank by the number plate, so that the engine will suck back in coolant and not air when it cools down.

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Well, my third reconditioned engine has gone. Valve adjusters disintegrated.  Happened just after 2000 miles.  Engine being completely stripped, checked and rebuilt.  Ho Hum...

That says to me lack of maintenance over many, many years not just 2k miles.
(I had a Frod engine that nearly got that bad, luckily I spotted it when refurbishing it before fitment)

This was allegedly a fully reconditioned engine....

By one of the usual suspects for dodgy recons?

Oldiebut goodie wrote:By one of the usual suspects for dodgy recons?

Yep, the answer's in the thread

I will say I had some new adjusters from either brickwerks or heritage as I thought it would make sense to do with a rebuild. After a month or so I had the loud tapping, so thought adjustement was needed. Opened up the cover and two of them did this.. although not as bad. They don't seem to be very good metal compared to OEM ones.
I suppose I could have done something dumb but I trippled checked everything with valve adjustments.

I've fitted loads of these, both early 9mm and late 10mm, and nobody has reported any problems with them. I always coat them with camshield zinc paste to prevent dry start-up, so maybe that makes a difference.

Sent from my moto g(30) using Tapatalk

I had put some camshield on them as well so no clue, maybe just crap luck.

Very bad luck.  This is my third reconditioned engine from the same supplier!  Having it rebuilt by someone else now... Will keep you posted on events...