Club 80-90 Forums

Hi people. I'm new to T25's. I've Got a 1.9DG in my van. Its been standing for 5 years, maybe more. It runs ok (not great) and drives, but smokes a lot on idle and has possible water jacket/ head gasket failure. I know from research that the head bolts will certainly snap in the block and exhaust studs snap in the heads, causing no end of pain. May also have other, as yet unknown issues. So question is, am I better off just replacing the engine with a reconditioned one? Or getting mine repaired? I've seen reconditioned units for £950 on ebay (cant remember sellers name and none listed at mo) and thought that was a good price? Too good?

Also I desperately need to change the exhaust as it seems to have been on its last legs for years. Blowing from every join and very rusty. I want to fit a stainless steel system to future proof the van as didn't see the point in fitting another crap mild steel system. I've seen several options, all of which are pricey but some more so than others. So whose running what exhaust and what would you recommend? I'm liking the VW speedshop one. Is it worth the money?

Thanks, Dan

Wow, looks like you've got some hefty expenses coming up. Re the engine - a lot depends on how much money you have, and also, whether the van is worth the outlay. If it's a wreck, is it really worth putting a new engine and exhaust on it? But if you want to get it back on the road, you should be able to pick up a second hand engine on here fairly easily - search the for sale ads, place your own wanted ad, and definitely PM the traders who list on here. Someone will have a half decent one you can use. They may also be able to supply a tidy exhaust to tide you over, if you're lucky. But if you're dead set on a stainless one, go to Brickwerks. They're the best - no question.

There's a 1.9DG engine and a Stainless exhaust, both for sale on the 'For Sale' pages......

Yep. Some pretty major expenses. Engine/ exhaust is just the tip of the iceberg!! The van is rough at the moment, but far from the worst and I am determined to get something a lot would have broken up, back on a campsite where it should be. Its being restored and mechanicals and major bodywork will be done first. Money is an issue but I'd rather spend more future proofing it now than have to deal with problems later. All it means is it will take longer to finish it. I have another car so that doesn't bother me either

No point fitting second hand, or even new mild steel exhausts. False economy IMO as I intend to keep the van for a while and will need to replace a mild steel one again. Stainless will out last the van. I'm definitely set on stainless. My dad has the brickwerks system fitted and its a great system, but is also the most expensive by a LONG way at £750. I didn't even know you could pay that much for an exhaust!! Its nearly £300 more than the speed shop one and I'd question why its worth the extra.

Second hand engine is something I had thought of, but am wary of them as never know if they are any good, while if I had mine rebuilt/ bought a rebuilt one I'd at least know it was a good engine? If second hand engines were a reasonable price I'd have bought one already, no question about it, but as the going rate seems to be £500ish there not worth the money IMO as could be just as knackered as the one I already have.

£750 is a fair whack for an exhaust... Try fitting a type 4 engine into a beetle... That'll cost you a grand for a stainless system!!

I've just had a VW Speedshop stainless exhaust fitted which I'm pleased with and sounds nice in the higher rev ranges and is generally unobtrusive. Cost £495 with the stainless flanges, including delivery. Although it cost almost as much again to fit as the engine had to come out to get the old exhaust off!

Probably going to go with the speedshop one TBH. I'm going to (hopefully, as never done it before) remove my engine myself so don't need to worry about extra bills. Still cant decide what to about the engine though. Going to get a compression tester, which should tell me if the head gasket has gone as it would lose compression right? unless of course theres other problems causing loss of compression.

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=138438" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Compression tester has been ordered and should be here in new year. This is the engine I was thinking of getting if mine is found to be broken. Anyone else used these guys? Seems like a good deal to me :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151530576264? ... EBIDX%3AIT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's from Elite - type 'Elite engine' in the search field and you'll get mixed reviews Dan. I have an elite recon in mine and touch wood it's been fine. I've taken it back to elite for servicing in order to keep up the warranty (got 2 years on it) & they've been pretty good.



For piece of mind I changed most of the ancillaries as well (water pump, leads, crusty water pipe to stainless, new coolant hoses where required, all new serviceable items etc) - didn't want anything else to fail to cause damage to the engine as I wasn't sure of their condition & with new I know where I am with it.

Also put your location in your details as there maybe someone else near you so will give you further options.

Smokey engine may be nothing to do with the engine so my advice is don't rush into changing it investigate first, leaky head seals ( no gasket as such) can be kept at bay with coolant addatives if the engine is otherwise ok.

I'd throw some gun gum on the exhaust until you have investigated the engine.

That exhaust in the link has been for sale for months and months and months so probably not a bargain or it would be gone by now

I'm not rushing now. Going to investigate my problems as it actually goes quite well really. As said I have a compression tester coming to add to my tool box so that should help bring any problems to light. Going to try replacing the carb gasket in case that's causing it to smoke (excess fuel) as others have said it could. Exhaust is well past Gun Gum

Just popped in to say +1 on the VW shop system. Good design imho. I thought mine was a bit loud when I first fitted it, but a few weeks later, once it had some carbon in it, it quietened down.

Yup, the Ebay seller is Elite Engines. As said, mixed reviews and a couple of horror stories too, but also some happy customers. I emailed them once about the misleading text in the Ebay ads where they claimed that almost all the moving parts were new. As far as I know they aren't and I thought they were doing themselves no favours making possibly false claims. I got no reply. Please note the a*** covering wording there

Bought the speedshop system today. Should be here in a few days. I like shiny things