To rebuild or buy a recon?

[123-jn]

Well what a confusing load of threads and wiki articles. I have looked at the rebuild thread and have decided that although I could probably do it having rebuilt a number of engines in the past it looks far too similar in places to a reliant engine that I had a nightmare with. Splitting the case and bearings scares me off as well as separate liners etc. So I looked at the horror stories about the main rebuilders. Vege was my top option only to find when I e-mailed them that my engine would not be warranteed to run on gas!!! Do they use new valves made of cheese? After this I looked at remtec from heritage these are rather pricey and the feedback looks no better than Elite who are half the price. On that matter Elite must do some sort of a refresh rather than rebuild but they side stepped my e-mail asking which bits they change etc HOWEVER they do cover gas in their warranty as long as you run in on petrol. So I looked for others someone seems to sell them on ebay clingfilm wrapped but who's are these? TES seem to do a recon but seem to be a reincarnation of a previous company who were dire. TAS have an advert in a VW mag but who are they?
I have priced up the parts I would need to refresh my engine if liners and crank were ok at about £400 but still not sure I trust myself? All for a dripping water jacket seal.

[itchyfeet]

Any reason to think the bottom end needs touching?
You only have a leakingbwater jacket seal
If you are familiar with taking engines appart then should be easy
Loads of advice and pics here to help

[123-jn]

sorry forgot to mention the oil useage , the bottom end shows no signs of trouble but has done 115000 miles.

[itchyfeet]

How much oil does it use?
Are you sure its being burnt and not just leaking out
Have you done a comression test?

[123-jn]

in a trip of 300 miles she burnt her way through 1.5 litres. No clouds of smoke just a continuous light dusting of particulates!! The compressions are reasonable all around 140-155 lbs cylinder 1 is the worst 4 is the best. no oil leaks at all bar a tiny weepy gallery plug. If I had a spare 1.9dg I would risk rebuilding my self slowly and surely but with the van engineless on stands it would be a more pressing job.

[T25Convert]

Hi,

I had the same issues as you describe, and did the same trawl of doom and gloom (stories along the line of I've just spendt xx thousands of pounds and my new engine isn't very good!) and the same complicated looking build threads. I even spent time looking at golf engines and suburu engines, but decided that the rest of the van probably couldn't cope with any extra power!

Finally took the plunge and staretd a rebuild myself https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=120790 With the help of the Haynes manual and the good people of 80-90 its not nearly as scary as I though it would be (although I still have occasioanl moments of doubt!!) At least this way I figure I know exactly what was and wasn't changed / in spec / broken! In terms of tools and space, I have a basic tool box, my in-laws garage (no work bench or anything fancy) and have been buying and specialst tools as and when I need them.

The cling filmed engines on ebay seem to have the same contact numbers as Elite...

Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

Cheers,

Alex

[itchyfeet]

I think you have to ask yourself these questions

Do I like the idea and challenge of rebuilding my own engine even if it could all go wrong?
Am I short of money or have a bob or two ?
Am I keeping this van
Do I have lots of spare time

Rebuilding yourself could cost more than a recon but if you have the money, time and want to then do it
You can consider a second hand engine if cash is not an issue some you can rebuild at leisure and take the pressure off
When you are happy with your rebuild sell it

[123-jn]

I think I have made up my mind, as mine is an Auto elite said I would have to send my drive plate so they could set up the end float. I reckon I will stick with my engine!! I will have to tidy out my shed (temp workshop) ready to begin the task. I reckon the heads and pistons will hopefully be ok with new rings etc but while doing the top end I'd be mad not to split the case and fit new mains and big ends. It will then have had a 115000 mile refresh!!! I'll post some pics as I go along and we will see what I find!!

[itchyfeet]

[NicBeeee]

HI,

Best of luck, I did mine earlier in the year and everything went ok, apart from fitting it outside in the snow. In respect of loosening the head bolts I was once told many a year ago that it helps to warm the engine up and slightly loosen the bolts whilst the engine is in situ, it worked ok on mine, however they may have come loose without warming the engine anyway but I guess I will never know. Be interesting if anyone else has tried this method and had success or failure.

Nic