Club 80-90 Forums

I bought mine as a bit of a wreck and as I had just retired didn't mind spending some time and cash on putting it right while I got used to the idea. I did spend a lot of time on the body and interia but overhauled stuff like the brakes etc. I fitted the two replacment heads which came with it and cured the overheating problem by changeing the pressure cap afer all that work. I fitted an oil cooler as in spite of a new pump etc I was geting a low oil pressure light on slow tickover in very hot conditions. I spent a lot of dosh trying to cure a engine dying problem eventually fixing it with an ECU. Then the gearbox failed and again under warrenty then just before Xmas the big ends failed. I can't think of anything more to do to improve the reliability and wonder what luck others are having.
Cheers
Wolfie

fit a diesel.

Buy a T4.
Well, I rephrase that, buy a T4 2.5TDI and not have to worry about welding, gearboxes, ECU's for a good few years.
Your biggest headaches then will be brake light switches (wow) MAF's (wow) Lower ball joints (wow)
Sorted.

Haven't had a problem............so far

in all honesty, I have not found mine any more unreliable than the list of 13/14 year old cars I had before the vans.

Ok, 2 recon engines, the third is a second hand block bought as a runner. Yep, some welding issues. But other than than, what I would consider general maintenance...clutch, brake pads etc etc. (over three vans in case someone thinks I have had dreadful luck with engines)

In all this bad weather, the hardest bit has been getting into them (doors frozen shut, clambering in through the boot!!??). But have started well and run fine.

Em
x

All the problems I have had with mine have been fixed with the same item and is easy to do :- >>>>>>

• • • "A CREDIT CARD"

works every time

Phredd (I must be blo*dy mad)

its hell on a lot more reliable than a ford , vauxhaul or frogmobeel of the same age thats for sure.
mine is my only vehicle, and i cover about 18000 miles a year, all fully laden, none of them gentle
And apart from brakes, tyres, zorst and servicing , i havent spent a penny on it in the last three years .
and i have washed it 4 times.

leaving them standing costs more than using them i recon

We had a new short block installed by "VW Specialist" back in 2003. From that point onwards until early last year, we had a very mixed bag of reliability from ours. However, since the refurb, not a single problem or missed heart-beat. Full details here: http://s136500617.websitehome.co.uk/her ... refurb.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So in summary if you want reliability and want the job done properly, start with a new short-block and do it yourself.

Heres a hard lesson and an encouragement to us all. I have always driven VWs from the 'type' range apart from two HORRIBLE years in the early 90s when I owned a Renault 21. Was going fine until one day it conked out right in the middle of the road. Luckily it was right outside a garage, bloke nosed around and sad "Its F***ed mate". He then went on to explain that cam belt had gone, probably knackered valves, all sorts. What kind of cretin designs an engine that if a belt goes it is totally knackered???

Bought a double crew cab without an engine for £150, shoved in my bored-up type1 engine from my bug and pulled wheelies for weeks. Happy days. Not worth owning anything else - really. Caravelle more practical these days but oh the joy of driving a T25 and I've only ever had dodgy CV joints in four years. Engine starts every time and not had one prob with it.

Mocki wrote:its hell on a lot more reliable than a . . , vauxhaul or frogmobeel of the same age thats for sure.
mine is my only vehicle, and i cover about 18000 miles a year, all fully laden, none of them gentle
And apart from brakes, tyres, zorst and servicing , i havent spent a penny on it in the last three years .
and i have washed it 4 times.

leaving them standing costs more than using them i recon

Ive always owned Vauxhalls until I bought my T25 and to be honest they have always been reliable,in having about 15 vauxhalls I've never had to do any engine work. (Other than conversions etc)

I've had my T25 a couple of months,seems a good van but had cost me £120 so far for a new water pipe and G12 coolant. Dont mind spending that much but I'm hoping not much is gonna go wrong for awhile

I love em, but to be honest its just a question of luck. You buy any 20 year old engine,in anything, and anything can be on its way out.
If its purely financial then maybe a 10/12 year old volvo with full service history would be your best bet....cheaper, newer & known history.
If its something you want............well that's different!

fix wrote:
Ive always owned Vauxhalls until I bought my T25 and to be honest they have always been reliable,in having about 15 vauxhalls I've never had to do any engine work. (Other than conversions etc)

I've had my T25 a couple of months,seems a good van but had cost me £120 so far for a new water pipe and G12 coolant. Dont mind spending that much but I'm hoping not much is gonna go wrong for awhile

Only £120 for one water pipe and a bottle of antifreeze (G12) ?

How much antifreeze is in it now. One bottle will not be enough if the rad was drained. G12 is all part of service and should not be included in the cost of spares.

Good luck with the van. They can become a small "Money Melting Pot"

Live in your mirrors and not in the Bank.

Phredd

To be honest I dont own a wasser boxer but...my Aircooled is very reliable considering it is 28 years old. Aside the welding the van is very reliable.

I think we need to bear in mind that age catches us all up eventually.........`O`...I forgot to put the coffee in my cup......Milk and hot water anybody...

Na being serious i have owned many cars / Vans and to be fair with the Old V Dub she drives well...I could do with a carb rebuild now as it`s running a little rough after being stood for 6 months but hey ho.

I would like to drop a TDI golf engine when the finances let me....Have seen a few done now and they look Factory spec.....

The only problem i find with thye camper is that it does not like sand.....I got stuck and had to call the coast guard out.. Sunk right up to the trailing arms.

Only £120 for one water pipe and a bottle of antifreeze (G12) ?

How much antifreeze is in it now. One bottle will not be enough if the rad was drained. G12 is all part of service and should not be included in the cost of spares.

Good luck with the van. They can become a small "Money Melting Pot"

Live in your mirrors and not in the Bank.

Phredd[/quote]

I spent nearly 70 quid on g12 mate! Spent 45 quid and filled the van up after the metal pipe broke to find one of the sensors was missing the o ring seal! 25 quid later and i managed to sort it out

I agree coolant shouldnt be classed as spares,but when its got me £120 in total with the water pipe im taking it into account!