Club 80-90 Forums

This is a follow-up to an earlier post about an engine with a head gasket problem. (T25 camper, 1.9 petrol watercooled)

Thanks to all those who answered. Consensus seems to be that a re-con engine is a better way forward, rather than trying to get someone to repair it.

I've been getting estimates and they seem to vary a lot, with Elite of Basildon much cheaper than the others at £900 including fitting. Is this too good to be true? Does anybody have any experience of them?

What are the risks that the bill will escalate because of things that they find during the job?

What will be the history of the re-con engine they use?

Thanks in advance,

Richard.

I have an Elite re-con 2,0 air cooled.

They are not the quickest - expect to be vanless for a couple of months! No complaints about the engine though - still running beautifully 2 years and 2 european tours later.

I have no idea about the history of the donor engine.

They are much much cheaper than anywhere else as well, as you said.

Hope that helps

We have 2 elite re-cons.(in different vans)

yep. you will be vanless for a while.

They will use your ancillaries, but while engine is out put a new clutch in. Cost around £100 - sensible thing to do.

take them up on the two year g'tee - just have to have regular servicing.

Have needed to use the g'tee (nowt serious - push rod tube seal not sealed!). Absolutely no quibbles. In and sorted at my convenience.

Can have your own engine rebuilt if that is your preference. But agree this first.

Go meet them. Look at their workshop - but be prepared....its not a quick fit type place - there is bits of engine, and vehicles everywhere! Go and talk to them, and ask them the questions you have raised here. Then make up your own mind.

Em
x

you also have http://www.theengineshop.info/

i have heard good things of them

irishkeet

I have a reconn air cooled engine from them, the guys there were great, they had the vehicle for about a week, the price did increase slightly due to a couple of issues, but I was kept informed.

A new clutch is always a good idea

I thought I was unique, but evidently not.

I've recently had my 2.1 rebuilt by Elite. They promised the work would be done within 7 days, and I eventually managed to get it back after over 2 months (and even then it was because I got agressive about it all). Over the period of the 2 months I was given 4 seperate dates when the work would be complete and it never was.

Too early to comment about the engine, I've only had it about a month or so, but so far so good.

Deffo do not put it into Elite needing it for a specific date in the NEAR future!


Never needed to get agressive - but had another van at home, the work was not booked in (my engine developed an oil deposit, not leak) and they came and took it away on the low loader within 2 days of me calling. I was without it a couple of months, and yes, the day I booked to pick her up changed 3 times! But I did tell them there was no major hurry, as I had another vehicle!

Em
x

My Elite engine has now done 10k troulbe free miles (touch wood!)
When i booked it for Mick to collect , he arrived on the button.
I collected the van two weeks later , as initially agreed.......they did everything they said they were going to do.
Really decent blokes!