wasserboxer camper, should i leave alone?

[orange5]

hello everyone just need a piece of advice, im looking for a pop top t25 and have looked at a 1984 holdsworth villa with a 1.9 water cooled engine. the camper is a bit tatty inside and the body is a bit dull. not much rust though, only the front panel is a lttle bit holey. my real concern is the engine. it had no anti freeze only water, and looked like it had recently been topped up. some slight evidence of oil on the cap. do i leave well alone or take the plunge. the van drives ok but i know trouble is lurking. im a mechanic by trade so the labour isnt a problem but i know its not the easiest to work on the price is £1700, is it too much? any advice would be appreciated, bye

[kevtherev]

Any history?

with me it's all about bodywork... the better it is, the less hassle you have and the longer it lasts.

The rest is nuts and bolts..engines can be replaced

[CAPRICE]

No antifreeze dosent look good these engines need the correct antifreeze G12 or G13to avoid the head studs corroding .But i have to agree with the last post better to have a good body. engines easy to change you can spend days just sorting rusty window appertures and run away with a lot of money. Make sure you give the bodywork a good check over what you see and what you don't.Exhausts are expensive too.Good look

[Nicola&Tony]

. . . my real concern is the engine. it had no anti freeze only water, and looked like it had recently been topped up . . .

From what you've said, personally I'd walk away from that van because from what you've written, it doesn't sound like it has been looked after so there could be lots of other problems which become apparent once it's being used regularly, but as Kev said before, it's all about the bodywork (but putting anti-freeze in is pretty basic stuff!! )

There are loads and loads of t25's for sale, so no shortage of choice and no need to bother with this one. Hope you get sorted.

Tony

[phade]

hello everyone just need a piece of advice, im looking for a pop top t25 and have looked at a 1984 holdsworth villa with a 1.9 water cooled engine. the camper is a bit tatty inside and the body is a bit dull. not much rust though, only the front panel is a lttle bit holey. my real concern is the engine. it had no anti freeze only water, and looked like it had recently been topped up. some slight evidence of oil on the cap. do i leave well alone or take the plunge. the van drives ok but i know trouble is lurking. im a mechanic by trade so the labour isnt a problem but i know its not the easiest to work on the price is £1700, is it too much? any advice would be appreciated, bye

To be honest looking at the price tag and from what you had written, that van sounds like a complete dog to me.

I would run away from that van now and find another (rust free and well looked after) one.

[orange5]

thanks for the advice guys i decided to leave it alone. still looking for a t25 pop top though. i live in the doncaster/rotherham area. looking to spend around two grand so looking at some work. let me know if you know of anything. thanks for your replies, bye