Club 80-90 Forums

After an oil cooler malfunction I have to decide about getting my original engine all re-bored, and new parts etc or getting a re-furbed jx 1.6TD engine of the shelf. Prices are similar. Can anybody recommend a reliable outlet for a re-furb off the shelf engine with good reviews and warranty. Thanks. Allan

I was on this forum looking for some guidance on who would do a great job of providing me with a refurbished jx engine for my T3 Westy, after the oil cooler let water into my engine.

Like all VW Owners, I wanted the best repair not necessarily the cheapest. Trying to find a company who would show the same attention to care and detail as a VW owner would prove a difficult task.

I received a few replies where certain companies were recommended.
One company put forward was AW Engineering (vwenginerecon.co.uk). I checked out their website and they had very detailed information on the process they undertake to refurbish an engine.

They had some nice testimonials, but ever the curious I contacted these previous customers directly on FB and they confirmed their positive opinion of the company and that their refurbished engines posed no problems 12 month later.

I could have taken a refurbished engine off the shelf, but being fussy wanted my own engine back. I phoned the company as did my mechanic to scrutinise the process. Everything stacked up. With the cost of couriering the engine it made sense for me to travel the 3 hour drive to North England to deliver it to the premises.

I was also keen to oversee the process and to my surprise the company were totally comfortable with this. I had heard horror stories on forums about other outlets finding single faults with engines, repairing them and the block being painted and then put back out as refurbished.

Anyway I booked an appointment at fairly short notice and travelled down to Darwen. Met both Tony and Keith a father and son team. Really nice guys. Got a cuppa or two and full access to their clean and tidy workshop. They talked through the process and I witnessed all the boring and rebuild with new parts.

They were really professional and oozed experience in their field of refurbishing VW engines.

Turned the job round in a few hours and I was back on the road with my engine ready for fitting by my mechanic with a 12 month warranty.

Although I have not yet tested the engine, I am completely comfortable in recommending them, based on my experience in dealing with them, both over the phone and in person on site.

Sounds like a worthwhile trip. I have one of their 'off the shelf' engines in my van; one year on, all good.

Andy