Club 80-90 Forums

Hello people, just got me a 1990 Autohomes Komet 1.6TD (Picked it up on Friday 13... Oops!) so thought id join this fine online community. Wasn't my intention to get a high top but went to see it anyway and liked the extra storage and full time head room so here we are. Still not 100% sure I made the right choice, as I prefer the look of the pop-tops, although it is growing on me. It's my first VW van and I loved driving it from the start - It's amazing how well it handles considering the height. Good stuff

Just back from a 340+ mile round trip to Kent (had a crazy time driving back Monday night in those high winds ) and did another 100ish miles while down there and found it's loosing oil. It looks like it's burning rather than leaking out. I'm told it could be something to do with the valves, pistons, or turbo. The engine seems to be running fine and it drives well, although this is my first experience so I can't compare. The recon engine has done 40,000 odd and a recon turbo was fitted less than a month ago so im hoping it's nothing serious... fingers crossed. Btw the oil level was midway between the min and max marks then after about 70 miles had dropped to the min mark. I want to get a pro opinion on it and was wondering if anyone could recommend a garage near Ross On Wye?

Got a few pics. You can click to enlarge.

Cheers, Steve

Welcome to the Club

Ian.

Hi and welcome A pop top man myself

Hello not a bad looking van.

Its a VW I thought they all ate, spat or dunk oil as standard

Noice!

I got my first T25 6th March and it's an Autohomes but poptop which I think makes it a Kamper or a Kameo - can't be sure coz I know nuffink!

Welcome to club.

Sarah

hello and welcome to the middle of the forum

Good effort, another Autohomes victim, er I mean joyful owner.

Nice looking bus.

I think theres a specialist or two in Bristol from memory, I'm sure someone will be along soon to let you know.

Hi all, thanks for the welcomes

I got my first T25 6th March and it's an Autohomes but poptop which I think makes it a Kamper or a Kameo - can't be sure coz I know nuffink!

Cool. Just in time for summer (if we get one!) I think the Kameo is a 2 berth high top although i know bugger all myself.

Hello not a bad looking van.

Its a VW I thought they all ate, spat or dunk oil as standard

Thanks. Seems a bit much though. looks like i'll need 5L of oil per tank full! Better start buying in bulk

Make sure you're using nice thick oil! 20W50 is the stuff you want. I use Halfords own which has added swelling agents for old seals and comes in a nice green tin!

Happy camping and welcome to the club. Hope to see you at some meets!

HI my old van 1.6 td westy poptop (now have hitop much more room) burnt a bit of oil when driven hard on long runs but if i kept speed down about 60 mph it was ok and did not burn much

Excellent! Welcome to VW camper ownership. It never ceases to amaze me, how quickly I smile behind the wheel of my VW camper!

Could it be the driving position, the big steering wheel, the fact that you are sat suspended above the bouncy springs/tyres, or the distant sound of a buried engine somewhere far behind you? Or maybe it's the tight turning radius, predictable handling, the fact you almost have no long bonnet in front of you and can squeeze right up to the car in front of you - just like any larger bus - or maybe is it the fact that you are smug in the knowledge that you have what amounts to a Travelodge on four-wheels - stop and it's an instant campsite/hostel!?

I cannot tell you how many times after visiting pubs that I made it to my camper, spent the night in it to recuperate while having access to water, bed, blanket and porta potti facilities, unawares to the people outside thanks to the drawn curtains. It's like having a flat right near wherever you want to be!

Lothesome mum-in-law in town? No worries. I'll spend the night in the camper. Wanna have a nice weekend on a budget? Pick anywhere exciting and park up with the family and friends.

Whatever the appeal, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The high top is excellent especially with the British climate the way it is. Plus you can park/camp on the sly and no one is the wiser. Lots of storage without having to add/remove clothes/camping items in & out of the van.

It's beautiful looking and in very good nick. Nothing to be unsure or regretful of in the slightest! Enjoy

thegamwellsmythes wrote:Good effort, another Autohomes victim, er I mean joyful owner.

Nice looking bus.

I think theres a specialist or two in Bristol from memory, I'm sure someone will be along soon to let you know.

LOL it's like that is it. so wheres the nearest Autohomes Anonymous?

Thanks. Even if my oil burning is normal it would still be nice to know a trusted machanic or two.

Make sure you're using nice thick oil! 20W50 is the stuff you want. I use Halfords own which has added swelling agents for old seals and comes in a nice green tin!

Happy camping and welcome to the club. Hope to see you at some meets!

Thanks for the tip. i got a shock pulling into clacket lane services when the alarm sounded and had to get whatever they had. Was a Total oil and cost £20! Ill get some of that thick stuff and see how it goes.

HI my old van 1.6 td westy poptop (now have hitop much more room) burnt a bit of oil when driven hard on long runs but if i kept speed down about 60 mph it was ok and did not burn much

Thats one of the things i like about vans you can cruse along watching the idiots cutting eachother up and not feel silly doing it. I was driving monday daytime then came home in the evening. did a fair few miles and it was windy all day so that probably caused more stress on the engine. I'll see how things go in the next few weeks with some thicker oil.

Excellent! Welcome to VW camper ownership. It never ceases to amaze me, how quickly I smile behind the wheel of my VW camper!

Could it be the driving position, the big steering wheel, the fact that you are sat suspended above the bouncy springs/tyres, or the distant sound of a buried engine somewhere far behind you? Or maybe it's the tight turning radius, predictable handling, the fact you almost have no long bonnet in front of you and can squeeze right up to the car in front of you - just like any larger bus - or maybe is it the fact that you are smug in the knowledge that you have what amounts to a Travelodge on four-wheels - stop and it's an instant campsite/hostel!?

I cannot tell you how many times after visiting pubs that I made it to my camper, spent the night in it to recuperate while having access to water, bed, blanket and porta potti facilities, unawares to the people outside thanks to the drawn curtains. It's like having a flat right near wherever you want to be!

Lothesome mum-in-law in town? No worries. I'll spend the night in the camper. Wanna have a nice weekend on a budget? Pick anywhere exciting and park up with the family and friends.

Whatever the appeal, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The high top is excellent especially with the British climate the way it is. Plus you can park/camp on the sly and no one is the wiser. Lots of storage without having to add/remove clothes/camping items in & out of the van.

It's beautiful looking and in very good nick. Nothing to be unsure or regretful of in the slightest! Enjoy

I did find myself pulling into laybys just so i could jump in the back for a quick break. Didnt need one but it's fun! Got that silly giggley feeling too. I'm looking forward to spending loads of time in it.

I do really like the van and the more i look at it/think about it the more it's winning me over I cant wait to get out in it again and have some fun.

hi and welcome. my only regret is that i did not buy my camper 20 years ago. i love it and so does the rest of the family

when you say your looking forwards to spending loads of time in it,dont you mean under it ?
welcome t'club

Nice looking van. Your interior is slightly different to mine though. You won't regret buying it; even when it does try your patience the camping makes it worth it