Club 80-90 Forums

Can any one recommend a good engine replacement specialist. I've just been transported back home on the back of a breakdown vehicle. Was travelling at around 60mph on the motorway yesterday in hot weather the temperature gauge was slightly high but not overly then a loss of power and lots smoke from the engine and stopped have now checked and water is pouring out of both sides of the cylinder heads. I assume that I have fried it ! 1.9 dg engine !

Poor little DG donkey gave its all. You may have head stud failure, the short ones under the inlet manifold seem to be a favourite, see if any head nuts are loose or missing.

Thanks, yes I'll take a look but there was a lot of smoke, the gaskets both look pretty blown out so my fear is there is more damage internally hence I'm thinking new engine or rebuild will be required !

If the rubber water jacket seals have blown out then it may well be bad news. There might be enough to salvage, I always recommend going for a stealth high compression 2.1 in a late 1.9 case, gives you a decent bit of added torque and nobody needs to know.

Sounds good ! but where to go to get this done is my question ? If anyone has any info or advice that would be brilliant !

It rather depends on your location but nowhere is that far away. Some of us quietly do a bit of wbx engine building now and then

I've got a Holman engineering stealth DG -- 2.1 DJ.Goes very well indeed, plenty of torque, and quite different from the DG engine. Mine is on syncro 1.9 DG carburettor which works fine.PhilmcC

I'm located near Portsmouth, Hampshire. I have had the engine replaced a couple of times already during the 18 years that I've owned my van but never been that impressed with the reconditioned replacements. So this time I'd like to get something that'll last. If possible ? I drive my van with respect to it's age etc,. But think I must have just been unlucky ??

Hi PINKSER,

Here’s another recommendation for Ian’s rebuilding skills. Do it once and do it right. See if you can get Ian to take it on, the cheeky upgrade to a 2.1 is worth the extra dime.

Good luck with where ever you go!

My engine should outlast me now…

Hi, thanks for your recommendation, a 2.1 upgrade would be great, and who is Ian by the way ?

ian Holman aka Silverbullet aka 025 Motorsport

I'm on holibobs for two weeks, back once September is in.

No worries, enjoy your holiday ! Hopefully we can get something arranged when you get back, although I'm also holidaying in the first 10 days of September (obviously not in the van now though) If i could msg you or you could msg me any time from September 11th that would be great !