Club 80-90 Forums

I've just baught a LHD 87 petrol. 2.1 DJ
Its a nail and the dealer wont take it back so I'm stuck with it!
The brakes were shot but I have replaced those.
The engine wont run, the water system is pressurising and I dont know which way to turn.
I dont think the engine is worth spending money on as the symptoms seem to be the heads! I have also noticed a water and oil drip on the floor while its been stood.
(thats just the tip of the iceberg)

So which engine do I replace it with?

I have been offered a diesel bell housing, sump etc and am thinking 1.8 GTI route but just concerned about the lack of tourqe? 2.0 maybe better but the wiring????

I want something simple and easy to convert. <is there such a thing?>
I'm an acomplished DIY 4x4 and motorbike enthusiast / mechanic, albeit some time ago since my hands were oily or the welding torch lit.
Having said that its not about spanners anymore but how handy you are with the soldering iron. (perhaps the most daunting bit?? and also least doccumented)

This van was planned to be my daily run around but I cant even get it to the MOT station to find out what else is wrong with it.

The learning curve for me is incrediby steep and I was hoping to run the van for a while before I had to take the engine out.

Petrol or diesel? I'm not bothered?

Just some good opinionated, sensible veiws.

Many thanks.

Bu88er, I hope you got it for a good price. Was it Sold as seen?
I've not done a engine swap but when the time comes I'd probably be looking at a EJ22/subaru 2.2.
From what I understand not the cheapest route (I think the adaptor is the expensive bit, if doing it yourself) but would make the daily-drive a whole lot more fun.
I wouldn't go for the 1.6D or even 1.6TD as, while economical, can be alittle tiresome. 1.9TD might be worth a look though. (I've never driven one)
I'm sure someone will be along with more facts soon.

Good luck, Have you any other plans in the back of your mind for it?

The cheapest route ahead would be to find a suitable replacement engine from a reliable source, and fit that. This saves having to change anything. The 2.1's when running right are lovely. Engine conversions are time consuming and more expensive than you first think.

That gives you time then to get your engine on the bench and have a look at it with no time pressures.

Good second hand engines do come up every now and then.

Dont give up

Thanks for your replies.

KarlT........
I'm only up the road from A1 Subaru spares, they have quoted £500 for an engine + RJE bell...... £1500 Too much to spend, would rather go 2.5 diesel for that.
What engine did you put in yours?
I agree with you on the small block diesel, frugel on fuel and power.
I'm looking for something with tourqe and top end without the chargecooler woes!

<no he robbed me>

Syncrosimon.......
The guy at the VW garage steered me away from the 2.1 route as they are getting hard to source, I'd agree that it would be good to keep it "stock" but, short of buying a recon engine £1000 ish I dont think it would ever be reliable.........+ not sure about the flat four noise it makes????? lol

Thanks for your opinions tho guys.........

Keep them coming........

2.1 DJ. rING CJ at Syncrospares.

Since you are on such a steep learning curve, I'd be inclined to get another 2.1 and at least get the van running so all the other issues can be sorted. This will give you time to think about a conversion whilst not under pressure. Try Syncronutz, Syncrospares or Mr Baxter for a replacement engine. My advice for what its worth

2.5D would be redicularsley expensive, theres a thread on another forum about fitting the Audi item, but what that thread fails to tell you is how much he has spent on that conversion!
For what he has spent you could buy a nice van thats already sorted!
Horses for courses and all that, yes it's in there but for the amount of man hours in making it work, you could put a mechanical TDI in there for a fraction of the cost and you won't be far off the power.
If it's a petrol I would just stick another one in, cheapest, quickest easiest option.
Did you know to swap from petrol to Diesel you would also need the Diesel fuel tank? that's if you intent to use the T3 Diesel mounting parts.

I just noticed where you are...
I'm only over the hill in Holmfirth, I'm open again on the 6th if you want to chat about your options.

Thanks guys for all your advice.

I have spoken to Russell at Syncronutz........What a helpful guy, Its not true what they say about Zimbabweans - I'd buy a van off him anyday!
He reccomends getting another 2.1.
He dosent have one tho!

CJ mut be on his xmas hols as the phone is going to answerphone, lets face it who could blame him.

Seems like the best option for me is to find a replacement engine but Russ thinks there will be little change out of a grand.

And thats all before I get it to the MOT station. I think it may need more than a replacment rear wiper though????

The Idea was to dip my toe in the syncro world, test it and see if I liked it. How else are you to find out if you can live with one of these machines.
Ever since I read the article in the Nov 1989 edition of "Off Road and Four Wheel Drive" I have always aspired to own one.
Little did I know it would taste so bitter after all these years.

I would of favoured the Audi engine, petrol or diesel if I had the time and the bus and myself got on together. lol

Thanks for the note on the diesel tank, Russ reminded me of that when I called.

This situation reminds me so much of my early off roading days when we tried to squeeze bigger and bigger straight 6's under the bonet of land rovers only to become hevier and hevier and sink in the mud. Thank gooness engine technology has progressed somewhat. I think the Mazda pioneered things back then.

Thank goodness for the KTM.

I too, have just dipped my toe into the Syncro waters but was lucky enough to find it warm! I have had the benefit of syncrosimon's expertise and enthusiasm and have found the wbx straightforward and great to drive. I think the advice of getting a decent complete motor at least for the time being a good idea, (they've been on the For Sale section for a few hundred quid recently). At least the thing would be on the road. I have not seen anyone boasting about the money they have spent on a conversion yet, it's usually in the smallest type at the bottom of their posts!

My advice would be to find your own local expert and by him/her beer and buy yourself a Bentley's manual.

P.S. I like your taste in bikes, I have a 950SM.

There you go now. Sound advice from all and you have Aidan in Warrington and Simon is 'over the hill' as he says himself in Holmfirth so you have something to take the bitter syncro taste away ...........

SyncroSwede wrote:P.S. I like your taste in bikes, I have a 950SM.

Been out on my brothers new (to him) 07 KTM super duke 950 today. All black, looks like a bike Batman would ride & goes like one to!! Makes your eyes water!

I'm sure you've already been told this, but if I was in your position, i'd defintely get the 2.1 replaced with a same unit.....because......
I don't think you said (and i don't think you will be able to tell until you get it rolling) what state the 4WD system is in (Gearbox, VC, front Diff etc etc)....which is where i would and have spent my money before then looking at an engine upgrade.


Stick with it though....you'll get there (it took me over 2 years b4 mine was ready).....and it will be worth it.

Rich

markymarkson wrote:The Idea was to dip my toe in the syncro world, test it and see if I liked it. How else are you to find out if you can live with one of these machines.
Ever since I read the article in the Nov 1989 edition of "Off Road and Four Wheel Drive" I have always aspired to own one.
Little did I know it would taste so bitter after all these years.

Its quite common to feel like this, unless the preveous owners looked after it well theres often a long string of jobs to get a Syncro into a decent state, perchace price is the inital deposit, the bills can easilly match or exceed its magnitude.

Get it working though, even if only for a week, and you'll start grinning and forget most of the above, it becomes worth it!

Engine swap is the way to go as it'll get your van running sooner and cheeper than a conversion - save that for later if you decide you want to and you'll be more at one with the syncro's "alternative engineering" and querks. WBX parts do seem to be drying up a bit afecting parts cost and avalability, but if you get a good one, it'll be less trouble and should hold its value if maintained - there will always be plenty of vans out there running them, even if you decide you want something else, whats run for 20 years can't be that bad a place to start and hopefully less poor bodges.

Thanks guys..........

I think you have all convinced me!

My dad came around today and suggested I get a Heynes manual, he said he would fix the engine if i took it out. Dads, you gotta love em!

There is an oily watery puddle on the floor where its parked about 4" in diameter so I'm guessing this will be the tel tale side.

Does anyone know what Ill find when I open the engine up?

Has anyone got any experiance of the horrors of the head?

Do I just invest in a new block?

I hope it only takes weeks not years to sort out!

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I thort long and hard about the bike, the KTM 690 enduro, its brilliant, on and off road, everyone should have one!