Club 80-90 Forums

Hi there

Looking for advice on where to start diagnosis/fixing/garaging our beloved 'chalkyvan'. Traveling back from camping with the family in Rye last night when we had a dramatic overheat issue - plumes of black smoke bellowing out the exhaust - pulled in sharpish halfway up a hill, turned off ignition but the diesel engine wouldn't stop just revving at full speed. Smoke across the highway we got the kids out sharpish and feared for worse to come. The engine eventually cut out, with the coolant in the reservoir bubbling away for a good 10 minutes. Got back to Crystal Palace around 2 this morning with a tow from the RAC. I'm no engine mechanic but with advice found on this forum have managed to fix broken accelerator cables, cracked fuel injectors, change glow plugs etc. Need to work out where to start and if this is a driveway job or head to a garage (any recommendations for diesel/VW mechanic SE London?). Trying to get this sorted before heading off to Wales (lots more hills) next Wednesday.

All advice welcome, many thanks Jason

Hi Jason, sorry to hear of your woes.

Firstly, please tell us what engine you have, 1600D, 1600TD 1700, 1900 etc

I am not a Diesel expert but this sounds pretty bad. The overheating and coolant bubbling / boiling are bad enough but the engine racing away with the ign off is usually a sign that it is running off the engine oil (getting into the cylinders and behaving like Diesel fuel) This indicates a bigger problem. Cracked head etc. So, sorry to say but it's unlikely to be an "on the driveway" job.

I don't know of any T25 Diesel garages in your area but I suspect that might be you next port of call. Someone will be along soon to give more info.

Thanks for the speedy, though not so comforting response its a 1900 engine and the RAC guy said similar with the engine running off oil being a likelihood for it not cutting out - do you think I'm better off looking for a vw or diesel specialist??

worrying ££ signs are starting to form

orangeboy wrote: do you think I'm better off looking for a vw or diesel specialist??

Well yes really. You need a compression test and an oil pressure test, most garages should be able to do that without fcuking up !

I am hoping some of our Diesel experts will be along soon with more info...

orangeboy wrote: worrying ££ signs are starting to form

Well at least it ain't a WBX engine so you can get a decent used replacement for 1/2 the cost of a decent flat 4 petrol. Here is some info on cars to look out for in the breakers that use the 1.9D motor = http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/what- ... 52384.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If its a turbo, replace it. It sounds like your oil seals have failed within the turbo. This will cause it to "runaway". I'm afraid though if it just cutout (luckily it didn't blow up) a new engine will more than likely be required.

Sorry