Club 80-90 Forums

Hi there,

I have had nothing but problems since buying my van (see link https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66555" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

However, the garage have now advised me and ready to bite the bullet and get a recon engine - the coolant light flashes, the temp gauge reads v high even when the van is cold, and collant is backup up in the expansion tank.

Not sure if the garage are right but at least if I get the negine replaced I should hopefully not have too many issues going forward.

The garage are fitting the engine free of charge - just wondered where the best place is to get a reliable, guaranteed recon engine for an A reg 1900 watercooled (DG). Price is all important here as well as quality - maxxed out buying the van and now need a new engine.

Thanks.

Dom

PS You may say go Subaru - but I can't afford it

From your other topic =

rick&ang wrote:it sounds like this so called garage are taking your wallet for a walk. cut free before they bleed you dry and take it to someone that actually knows about [these] engines

This is REALLY what you need to do first !

It may be that your engine has very little wrong with it.

Plus from what I read about your current garage (loose battery terminals causing oil light and temp gauge problems etc etc) I would not trust them to do anything and wouldn't pay them another penny.

There WILL BE a VW WBX experienced mechanic near you.
Check here = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ga ... 5_Specific" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or simply ask on this forum for a recommendation near you.

Worst case = recon engine = £1200 by the time you have finished.
Most often used and recommended supplier = Elite. (http://www.elitevw.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

before you go down the road of a new engine
let me have a look at it for you sounds like
1 your cooling system needs bleeding
2 sensors and wiring need checking
3 it will be completly obvious to any good mechanic whether your head gasket has gone or weather your water jacket gaskets have gone which are completly seperate to each other.
sound like your garage has no understanding of your engine and is stabbing in the dark.

I would happily come and give you a diagnosis for the cost of fuel to you about £30 if you can get it away from the garage you may save a small fortune.
should worst case you need a new engine i can help with that also. But if yours drives does not loose power and does not chuck out clouds of steam or smoke then it cant be all bad

I am over in angmering west sussex and do mobile call outs if needed (nothing to do with beetlewerks)
regards doug 01903 782724

/\ good advice. If they can bodge the other things I wouldn't let them near it again.
Get it home and get Doug or anyone else with good knowledge to give it the once over

The worst culprit for the flashing light is the expansion tank sensor lack of water in it or wiring then the engine ones, get Doug over b4 u get an engine!!!

I'm going through emsworth at the weekend if you want a second opinion

Damien wrote:I'm going through emsworth at the weekend if you want a second opinion

Damien knows his stuff.

Hi Doug / Hi Damien,

Thanks ever so much for your kind offers of help. I would like to take you both up on your offers and will contact you later today if that's ok - want to avoid the expense of a new engine if at all possible and would really appreciate a second (and third!) opinion!

Thanks again.

Dom

dugwiththevwbug wrote:before you go down the road of a new engine
let me have a look at it for you sounds like
1 your cooling system needs bleeding
2 sensors and wiring need checking
3 it will be completly obvious to any good mechanic whether your head gasket has gone or weather your water jacket gaskets have gone which are completly seperate to each other.
sound like your garage has no understanding of your engine and is stabbing in the dark.

I would happily come and give you a diagnosis for the cost of fuel to you about £30 if you can get it away from the garage you may save a small fortune.
should worst case you need a new engine i can help with that also. But if yours drives does not loose power and does not chuck out clouds of steam or smoke then it cant be all bad

I am over in angmering west sussex and do mobile call outs if needed (nothing to do with beetlewerks)
regards doug 01903 782724

Hi there, Have been hearing about your new van!
Was hoping we would get to meet you at the next Gribble meet but lets get you up and running first!!
I can highly recommend Doug, straight up guy who recently sorted a problem with our VW Golf after we had spent days trawling through forums trying to find answers!
Ive got him pencilled in to do work on my T25 and Im glad to have found a good mechanic in our area as they are very rare!
Hope you get it sorted - its amazing how something as simple as 'bleeding' can make all the difference!!

Hi DANDCAMPA,

Thanks for the post. Where did you hear about my van? Guess it was all the probs and posts I have put on here!

Where are you based? Would be good to go to the odd meet or two.

Doug came over today and 90% there - top guy and engine seems ok

HEAD SWELLS beyond its allready gargantuan proportions
thankyou guys for your kind words
all i can say is there must be some complete muppets working in local garages nowadays as all the problems i am getting post garage work are unbeleivable.

If its a vw and its pre 95 let me have a look first mobile diagnosis available at a set fee.
happy dubbing doug