Club 80-90 Forums

Hello

I read in the buying guide that the 1.7 diesel was maybe hard to get parts for, does anyone have one? if so how do you find it for reliability etc and have you ever had trouble sourcing bits? is it easy to swap it for a different diesel if you can't find replacement parts.

Sorry to ask silly questions, I am still very new to all this.

Hi and Welcome Lucy,
There are quite a few of us on here with the good old 1700. I would not worry yourself! Its a great little engine and one of the best for economy. The 1.6 TDhas a little (and I mean little ) more grunt on acceleration and pulling up a hill but its hardly noticeable. My little old engine is getting close to 225,000 miles and still going strong. Never missed a beat in the 4 years I have owned it engine that is. I would get your cam-belt changed if you are unsure of its history and regularly change the oil. I was considering changing the engine for a more modern TDi, but why bother when your engine is fine. its quite a big project and there is loads and loads of information in the Technical section of the forum. Welcome to life in the slow lane. You will love it. Post some pictures of your new van to introduce yourself.

If you need any help at all feel free to message me.
regards
Kev

Hello, thank you, that is encouraging.
I don't have one yet, asking because there is one I really like with that engine but that was all thay was putting me off. I will go and have a look
thanks again
Lucy
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The engine is the least of your worries really, it is bodywork that is important.

I love my KY. I agree with all of the above, I've never had any problems getting parts for mine. I may upgrade to a 1.9 one day but not until absolutely neccessary, meanwhile.... I'm smiling all the way to the bank.... 36MPG!!!!

i had one once a g reg leisuredrive with a 1700 diesel , never again the lack of power made every trip a nightmare , the fuel consumption was good but coming out of windermere on the big hill i was down to 2nd gear people laughing and beeping the horn when they overtook us, i would never have another diesel t3 unless it had a tdi fitted ,

ive a t25 converted van fitted with a 1700 diesel,ive never had a problem getting parts for it but its so slow i do tend to avoid hills that are local to me because it struggles up them.im now looking into a 1y conversion.

Mine easily keeps up with normal traffic and I've never felt that I have held up anyone in their Lemming like race to the edge of the cliff. Diesel Magic fuel system cleaner works wonders, I use it on all of my diesels. When tackling hills I keep the revs up into the best torque band (when the exhaust 'GROWLS' a bit) and she gets up them fine. She's a camper, not a 'Hot Hatch' to use an ancient expression.

I'm into Rally driving so get enough of being a speed freak whenever I want to. Luv my KY, Me.

supergalaxy wrote:Mine easily keeps up with normal traffic and I've never felt that I have held up anyone in their Lemming like race to the edge of the cliff. Diesel Magic fuel system cleaner works wonders, I use it on all of my diesels. When tackling hills I keep the revs up into the best torque band (when the exhaust 'GROWLS' a bit) and she gets up them fine. She's a camper, not a 'Hot Hatch' to use an ancient expression.

I'm into Rally driving so get enough of being a speed freak whenever I want to. Luv my KY, Me.

Juice74 wrote:Hello, thank you, that is encouraging.
I don't have one yet, asking because there is one I really like with that engine but that was all thay was putting me off. I will go and have a look
thanks again
Lucy
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Hi Lucy,

If its the Red Westfalia high top your looking at with the silver bull bars take someone with you who knows about vans. It was for sale on a website earlier in the year through a company that did an unbelievably shoddy re spray on my friends van and have ignored her complaints. I wouldnt want you to go through the same thing.

Jed