Club 80-90 Forums

Hi going to look a a van tomorrow its a 1990 H reg with a 2.1 engine with LPG.I know nothing about these engines, or the LPG system, what should i check for?
I know the engine basic checks will be the same as any vehicle, ie oil/coolant mixing, hot/cold starting, smoke, over heating and so. I m just after anything specific to check with the 2.1.
I have had my current T25 for 9 years so know my what to look for mechanical and body wise, but its a diesel so that why i m asking for info on the 2.1 petrol engine.
Thanks in advance Jason

I guess it probably has lpg through a carburetor and mixer ring rather than fitted to the original injection manifolds. Check the coolant is it nice and pink if so check around the cylinder head seals (black rubber looking) for pink crystals which can show the beginnings of seeping joints. Make sure it starts straight up (plenty of compression) and doesn't smoke. It should pull quite strongly but won't break any records. Check for oil leaks below the oil pump (centre rear of engine) and from join between engine and bellhousing (engine crankseal.) Is the oil reasonable pull out the dipstick and rub it between your fingers, if it is old and black and slightly gritty it maybe that servicing has not been up to scratch. Make sure temp and fuel gauges work and temp should run between centre and 3/4. any hotter without a good reason and i would start to be concerned. If tappets are noisy at start up within a few miles they should quieten down if not again I would be concerned unless it has stood for a good while. Check top up coolant tank behind flap is up to the mark and expansion tank is full to the brim. (do that before you start it up). Maybe check it will run on petrol ? Otherwise an expensive carb rebuild maybe on the cards. The rest is the saME AS A DIESEL.

I reckon it's more likely to be on the original petrol injection system, with LPG added with plate mixer (or Blos if it's one of mine). Additional checks to make sure injection is working right: does it tick over smoothly from cold, not too slow, hunting or misfiring? Same as it warms up, once warm is tickover too high or hunting? At 3000rpm is it smooth, smoking or popping/slight misfire (running lean - common digijet fault).
Not much you can check on LPG apart from if it switches over (without stalling) and runs (should run same or better than petrol) without smelling of gas (very rich, misfire or leak).

thanks for the reply's, thats all great information and things for me to look for and check, as i say i know my way around a T25 just not a petrol engine T25.
I will report back on what i think and if i come across anything i feel isn't right engine wise
Jason

Looked at the van, dont think its for me, seemed to run fine on gas and petrol, wasn't on carbs had injectors.
The 2nd coolant bottle was empty the other was full but the coolant didnt look that fresh, was a bit rusty looking and had bit floating on the top.
Underside of engine was a bit oily, could really work out where it was coming from, think it was just general weeping from a few places.

Body was ok, had a new rear outer arch, dont think done that well, just looked to be stuck on, hard to explain. Is it normal just to replace the outer part of the rear arch? normal rust where the high top joins and passenger foot well was an indoor swimming pool.

So thanks for you info again

jas915 wrote:Looked at the van, dont think its for me, seemed to run fine on gas and petrol, wasn't on carbs had injectors.
The 2nd coolant bottle was empty the other was full but the coolant didnt look that fresh, was a bit rusty looking and had bit floating on the top.
Underside of engine was a bit oily, could really work out where it was coming from, think it was just general weeping from a few places.

Body was ok, had a new rear outer arch, dont think done that well, just looked to be stuck on, hard to explain. Is it normal just to replace the outer part of the rear arch? normal rust where the high top joins and passenger foot well was an indoor swimming pool.

So thanks for you info again

It all sounds quite normal to me, for 26 year old van.
Weepy engines are more prevalent than non weepy engines.
A replaced arch shows the PO has taken care of it.
Rusty coolant is not bad either, as long as it's replaced with correct coolant the oxidation will stop.