Club 80-90 Forums

......save my pennies for a recon engine then have it converted to LPG ?


The reason I ask is that my 1.9 petrol wasserboxer engine has done 130K miles, it also has a slight weep at the cylinder head gasket.

I'm having sluggish driving issues where the van is getting splutterry when attempting big hills with 2/3 adults, it's been a slog trying to get to the bottom of it and I may bite the bullet and change the engine.


thoughts please

Thats getting on for two thousand pounds I'd fit a scooby for that.
enjoy better economy and more power. you could even lpg that!

but if you want to remain faithfull and you have the money ...go ahead and gas the recon

First Job check the compression. If that is Ok and you only have a slight weep from the rubber gasket I would say get the LPG conversion. If compression is low get the engine sorted first then get the LPG when funds allow. I am getting close to the equvilant 50mpg pound for pound with 98 ron. Well pleased so far and will pay for it's self within a year.

How many miles have your engines done ?

I have no idea it is an early DG that I got second/thirdhand I would have thought at least as many as yours maybe more as it came from a panel van. has good compression and no water leaks so far. Drops a bit of oil from one rocker cover and thats it. More than happy, We are off to Spa next week so that will be a test for it.

Hi Weejoe

My engine is a 1985 1.9 GW(injection)Petrol engine with 160k on the clock.

I am getting mine gassed at the end of the month. It makes sense.

Never heard how your first trip went as you had a few mechanical probs.

Did you go?

Popeye- Doyle wrote:Hi Weejoe

My engine is a 1985 1.9 GW(injection)Petrol engine with 160k on the clock.

I am getting mine gassed at the end of the month. It makes sense.

Never heard how your first trip went as you had a few mechanical probs.

Did you go?

Hi mate

Yeah I went on the trip but sadly not with the camper as he broke down on the Friday, i was away on the sunday so had to take the NB.

I think I need to get this loss of power issue sorted and a compression test done before I decide what to do. Good luck with your conversion and let us know how you get on with it

Get your own compression tester and do it yourself. It will be much cheaper than getting a garage to lie to you Then if compression is Ok bite the bullet and do a complete service. If this fails I would think that your carb was at fault. Talk to Steve Shaw he will sort you out. Top Bloke.

If you plan on sticking with a DG engine then it's chicken and egg really.

The LPG conversion is well worth doing, see Steve's website link in my sig below for details, I thoroughly recomend it and the man himself.

If your engine turns out to be a dud, you can fit another DG and all the gas bits will be ready to use anyway

get the LPG.

Youll save a lot quicker for the engine when youre not paying for petrol.

I've just run my 1.9DG up to 182,000 - the last 90k on gas. I'm sure LPG is kinder to the engine.

Fuel costs are virtually halved on gas!

hey joe
put it this way i had the gas grafted on way back this year .I been meaning to put a comment on to thank pete from gasure but have been to damn busy enjoying myself driving all over the country at top speed with the windows down and the fans on full blast and paying half price on fuel.love it
The last trip was to the outer hebrides were by the way they got plenty gas round the corner from the swimming pool on isle of lewis.
even if your present engine goes seriously wonky you can just plug in a new one to the gas................
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
vw love it LOVE IT...............

lpg defo the way forward mate steve shaw knows all about the gas and what he doesnt know aint worth knowing give him a bell put your mind at rest best thing ive ever done to my van