Can you test an engine on a shelf?

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 19 May 2015, 19:43

Title: Purchasing 2nd hand engines
Van details: 1.9 DG engine (it's dead, it's not resting), 1984 Caravelle
Description: Replacement engine sat on shelf for 18 months

Is there any way of testing an bare engine without starting it? I don't want to replace one lemon with another!

Compression test of any sort perhaps??

Cheers.

Post by **silverbullet** » 19 May 2015, 19:59

Bellhousing, starter, pre-warmed (hot) oil. Crank it over with plugs out and see what its got.

Post by **itchyfeet** » 19 May 2015, 20:16

Compression is a very good start but if won't tell you if if has a water jacket leak, oil to coolant or coolant to the great out doors.
Won't tell you if it's got very poor oil pressure due to worn bottom end either.

needs flywheel also, and not sure what drained hydraulic tappets can do to compression readings.

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 19 May 2015, 20:34

Worn bottom end is what I want to check ideally. Silverbullet, can you clarify? are you saying attach starter and 12V and crank it while taking pressure test? Not sure about the bellhousing bit, you mention?

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 19 May 2015, 20:36

Bellhousing. Got it, to hold the starter.

Post by **itchyfeet** » 19 May 2015, 20:49

You can do a compression test easiy enough like that but oil pressure reading is not going to be very helpful until properly hot which you can't reallt do on shelf.

yes bellhousing to hold starter, need flywheel too

Post by **silverbullet** » 19 May 2015, 20:50

I bought a DJ which tested 50psi cranking cold, but had a knock when hot.
Caveat emptor.

Post by **kevtherev** » 20 May 2015, 06:03

The only way to check bearing wear is with the engine apart.
Other wise you wait for the knock on the case for you to let them out.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 20 May 2015, 11:00

That'll be the elves

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 21 Jun 2015, 20:24

Looking for a tick sheet of parts I'll need to do the swap if anyone can help. 1.9DG to 2.1MV. Changed the head gaskets and prepped the new engine. What's next....q? Oil cooler cooling pipes in particular. But also, can I just move the fuel pump and dizzy across from my old 1.9?

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 22 Jun 2015, 21:18

Glad I swapped these out....Open to suggestions on what to do with these. Feels difficult to junk VW parts

Post by **itchyfeet** » 23 Jun 2015, 05:26

Oil cooler parts here (scroll down) and some more on page 2

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... oil+cooler" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

fuel pump yes and dizzy may be ok if you are going to run a carb but 2.1 injection dizzy is different

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 23 Jun 2015, 07:24

Good info there, thanks

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 23 Jun 2015, 18:11

Mine was an '84 so an early cooling system. Think I'll treat the van to one of these Mocals from Demon Tweeks, seems better than trying to T pieces into an old cooling system.

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 01 Jul 2015, 21:51

Distributor install. Moving it across from the 1.9 to the 2.1, but I can't get it to seat more than 1" inch down its shaft into the engine. I can't get it to sit flush with its bracket? What am I doing wrong. Crank at TDC

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