I am looking for some advice.... for four years have blissfully owned a 1988 1600tdi westfalia hi-top joker imported from Germany. Had just taken the really difficult decision to sell the van as we just don't get out in it enough - and I think the van overheard, as the timing belt went while driving home from the west coast of Scotland.
One loud bang and one long tow home later, we're wondering what the best course of action is - we still want to sell, even though the van clearly wants to stay on.....
(1) replace the timing belt kit, water pump, cylinder head and head gasket
(2) get a reconditioned engine fitted (any recommendations in Scotland -we're in Fife?)
(3) try to sell as is
I'm not an engine expert, so any work would have to be done by a garage.
For the most part a snapped cambelt just bends valves and superficially damages the head, sometimes it damages the head to a point that the head needs replacing.
The bottom end usually gets away without damage.
If it were mine I wouldn't be thinking of a new engine quite yet as it's likely to turn out to be not as bad as this. The top end needs removing and properly investigating but I am hopeful this will just be top end.
Therefore, the cheapest option is likely to be a good used cylinder head, new head gasket and cambelt kit.
Thanks for all the advice, guys! Much appreciated.
I guess the first step is for my garage to assess the damage properly - and reckon the biggest factor will be the labour cost to put it right, either way.
take a look on campervanculture I'm sure Jed did a piece on changing his head gasket, it's not that difficult, and much of that job is the same as changing the head, iirc he did change the head
