Getting by without antifreeze...

Post by **MacAoidh** » 04 Nov 2006, 13:45

Coolant system is currently 100% water, has been for about 3 weeks, was due to be sorted on Monday. Engine is shot, so now inclined to not add antifreeze until new engine goes in; is that wise? Will rust be kicking in already? Frost damage? I can park it in a reasonably sheltered spot, outdoors. I don't want to damage the radiator/pipes, and I need the engine to do one last journey...
Can anyone help?
Thank you in advance.

Post by **Arvi** » 04 Nov 2006, 14:28

should be ok if worried just drain out the water

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 04 Nov 2006, 15:12

Asking for trouble mate, could cost you a radiator if you`re unlucky. make sure it`s drained down fully if you`re going to do it, especially the rad.

What is the final diagnosis on your motor? Did the VW experts get to the bottom of your problem? Just curious, "knowledge is power" as they say

Post by **MacAoidh** » 04 Nov 2006, 16:04

It's all a bit tricky; I've left the van parked at the top of the nearest hill, 1/2 mile from my house. So it can be bump started. But now somewhat exposed to frost.

Two concerns: freezing and rusting. I'm assuming that I'm okay for a while re internal rusting. Re freezing, hmm, maybe I should drain it. It's a real pain, working on it up there. And transporting 16 litres of water is going to be a laugh, eh? I'll keep an eye on the weather forcecast...

As for the motor itself, it looks like it's shot. I'll take it into a VW specialist next week, but it looks like the only sensible course of action is a replacement.

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 04 Nov 2006, 19:17

take a blow torch out on cold mornings to defrost your rad and pipes, or you could build a fire and push the van backwards and forwards over it for a couple of hours till you think its thawed. yeah you should be ok.!!
joking aside....... if your motor is shot, there is a 1.9 tdi engine on ebay now at £100 buy it now....WELL WORTH A THOUGHT. you would love the "new" van with a tdi in it. simple transplant too.

Post by **MacAoidh** » 06 Nov 2006, 12:02

I've decided to get real re coolant system: either drain or add antifreeze and then re-use coolant after transplant.

Cheers for engine tip; I'll have a look but have little idea how to decide whether an engine is any good... 'Spose I'll have to learn...

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Nov 2006, 14:38

MacAoidh wrote: 'Spose I'll have to learn...

well having a 20 odd year old van ...yes, and once you get on with it you'll find that most things are simple but look daunting

Post by **MacAoidh** » 06 Nov 2006, 15:38

Cheers mate!

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 06 Nov 2006, 18:02

Take someone with you to assess engine if you arn`t clued up, you don`t want another knacker mate

Any motor you are looking at is going to be over 10 years old, if not nearer 20, so can be just as good or bad as the one you`ve already got

Plenty of members all over the country, any volunteers to save this guy from a world of s**t

What exactly has been the diagnosis of your engine? Has it been looked at by someone who knows what they are looking at? Not the local VW dealer who mostly havn`t heard of old motors, so just say "change it", they don`t fix anything nowadays, modern "vehicle technician" just swaps parts for a new one, when did you last see a main dealer rebuild anything? You need a specialist who can strip and rebuild things, and has experience of what you`ve got

Post by **philippacman** » 06 Nov 2006, 20:11

you have PM re engine

Post by **MacAoidh** » 07 Nov 2006, 15:08

Westy.Club.Joker wrote:you don`t want another knacker mate

Yes, that's the bottom line. I'm mechanically minded, I enjoy working with engines etc, it's just I don't know what to look for.

The engine hasn't been formally condemned by a garage, but it's an old 1.6n/a with several significant issues, mainly high pressure in the sump forcing oil out, thick smoke, ?water leaking through head gasket, only starts when rolling down a Welsh hill. I may try and get to a garage for a look-see, but I don't hold out much hope. The engine is silly for the weight of the van. I'm probably inclined to chuck in a 1.6TD for simplicity, review the situation next summer.

Plenty of members all over the country, any volunteers to save this guy from a world of s**t

Mm, please! Could anyone between Birmingham, Bath and Swansea look at a diesel engine for me, if I locate something? No guarantees expected, of course!!! Or Edinburgh; a chap up there may have something. I hadn't thought of this, but if someone in that part of the world could give it a preliminary look over I might be up for picking it up. I used to live there, always happy to go back. Or maybe have it shipped down.

I'm afraid all I can offer in return is free dance lessons (optional!) and pitiful levels of gratitude... And the happy knowledge that one more, mechanically very sound van has been kept on the road.

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 07 Nov 2006, 17:06

like i said, theres a 1.9tdi on ebay. why bother with a 1.6td when a 19tdi is loads better. ask anyone!! anyone in the world!! i put a 1.9 non turbo out of a golf in mine and its great, i dont think your sump is getting too pressurised, it sounds like there are just LEAKS ! oil pressure is no bad thing, no oil pressure equals "roadside assistance".there was a 1.9 passat engine in our local loot last week for £150 , bute.

Post by **monkeynut** » 07 Nov 2006, 21:59

"WEAZLECHIN" wrote:like i said, theres a 1.9tdi on ebay. why bother with a 1.6td when a 19tdi is loads better. ask anyone!! anyone in the world!!

Ill second that got to love the tdi..

Post by **MacAoidh** » 08 Nov 2006, 11:44

yes, not seeing the 1.6TD as anything more than an easy temp solution. I'd rather take my time over converting to a 'real' engine; petrol/LPG is also an option, reworking engine cover wouldn't be ideal for how the interior is laid out, plus the clutch and gearbox would have to change also. And I'd like to respray the engine bay at the same time. etc etc.

As for the oil leak, it's being forced out of the filler cap, amongst other places...

But fair comment! I'm all ears about what works and what doesn't

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 08 Nov 2006, 16:57

tdi, all the way. you could get hold of one a couple of years old from a crashed vehicle, you wont get a "newish" petrol engine though, think of the strife going from diesel to petrol, they put diesel engines in tractors, trucks, challenger tanks, boats and trains for a reason !!!!!!!!!