New Syncro

[mattk918]

Well I've done the deed... can't decide whether I am scared or excited! Hopefully all will be as good as it seemed on the test drive. Its solid underneath. The worst rust is in one of the pics. The interior is pretty scruffy in the back (carpets not the seats). Owned by a dealership for first year or so of its life, then same owner ever since. Diffs both came on and went off again. Didn't have means to test the VC properly, owner reckoned it seemed ok in the snow the other week and I did the drive in full lock on idle and it didn't stall so fingers crossed on that one. Engine seems good and pulls well. I guess I will find out on the longevity of a 220,000 mile gearbox.........

[PC52]

220000 never in a million years

[KarlT]

Looks good mate......Now you'll be telling us you got it for £500

Welcome to the wonderful world of syncro!

[mattk918]

220000 never in a million years

Allegedly.. .had a new engine at 170k, but apparently not gearbox! Oh well.... financial ruin awaits!

[mattk918]

Looks good mate......Now you'll be telling us you got it for £500

Welcome to the wonderful world of syncro!

Cheers.

£500 ..... if only!

[HarryMann]

and I did the drive in full lock on idle and it didn't stall so fingers crossed on that one.

So it could have failed 'open'... ?

It should be a bit stiff on fll lock, indeed, quite stiff normally IME

Never in 220,000 years...

Presumably its fact that the g.box has never been out, if so, very rare indeed!

[mattk918]

So it could have failed 'open'... ?

Could have...... when I get it home I'll check it out (doh thats the wrong way round isn't it, check things BEFORE buying). The guy selling reckoned it was working when he checked in the ice the other week, but i've only got his word for it at the mo'

[HarryMann]

No worries, a failed VC isn't the end of the world... if it is has. But do expect some tightening of the steering and drag on anything like full lock (on tarmac), even with a new one, if it didn't it would be a remarkable device indeed!

[sonic23]

Welcome to a whole world of fun
That looks like Flash Silver to me.

Have you tried the VC test with 2x2 under front wheels and the rear end up in the air (carefully jacked so rear wheels off the ground)......I'm not sure if the following test is frowned upon or not, it's certainly what i did within a day of ownership....but with you rear in the air, if you dab you foot on the acclerator, the rear wheels will spin and then the VC should kick in, and the front wheels should attempt to then climb the 2x2. If it doensn't climb the 2x2 then the VC has failed open!

Rich

[HarryMann]

The same test is for a stiff VC too.. on idle in G or 1st, it 'shouldn't' climb the 2 x2 (execpt 2x2" is 2 small, more like a length of 3 x4 more appropraite)
Should need 1500~2000 rpm to climb over, but TBH, nothing is very definitive as a test, so take them as a guide, not as concrete proof of anything

On Sonics test, make sure the trolley jack is a good big one, well hooked up under the crossbar, and on a smooth surface - else you could regret it!

[mattk918]

The same test is for a stiff VC too.. on idle in G or 1st, it 'shouldn't' climb the 2 x2 (execpt 2x2" is 2 small, more like a length of 3 x4 more appropraite)
Should need 1500~2000 rpm to climb over, but TBH, nothing is very definitive as a test, so take them as a guide, not as concrete proof of anything

On Sonics test, make sure the trolley jack is a good big one, well hooked up under the crossbar, and on a smooth surface - else you could regret it!

Will be doing these test once I get it home. Then I'll be looking for a new interior carpet set.... anyone out there got one?

[peasant]

Congrats on the new van!

But before you worry about new carpets, I would suggest that you rip out all the interior and trim (including the floorboard, if you have one) and look after those rusty seams and sills from the inside. Once that's done, you can clean up all your interior bits, put them back in and then worry about the carpet.

(Because, the nicer the interior, the greater the resistance to rip it all out to do the necessary so do it now, before you make yourself at home )

[HarryMann]

I'd say those peasant words are very wise

[sonic23]

I'd thought about putting carpet in mine - but after the first offroad event I changed my mind completely!!!

[HarryMann]

Rubber is the answer!