Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,

This is my first post on here, so not too sure how it all works!

Tomorrow afternoon I'm picking up my first ever VW camper! She's a 1915cc petrol on an E plate ('88) with a manual g/box, done 129k according to clock.

Forgive me for sounding stupid but I can't seem to find any info anywhere on whether it's got a timing belt or a chain? I've even had a brief mans look at the Haynes manual and can't seem to find anything in there? (it was a very brief look tho!!!)

Obviously if it's got a belt I'll be getting it changed before venturing out over the summer, but also wondered if it has got a t/belt how big a job it is to change so I have a rough idea what my local mechanic might want to charge me?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks!

hiya matey!!

Welcome to the forum! General chat is the place for intros though....so say hi there too!

As for your timing belt.....the 1.9 dg PETROL engine doesn't have one, or a chain. Timing is done by moving the distributor. thats why haynes didn't mention it!

A good service - plugs, oil, leads, dizzy cap, and drain and flush the coolant is probably the best thing to start with!

Enjoy your van


Em
xx

Hi Em,

Thanks for your reply - That's great news, was thinking I might have to pay a small fortune before we even get going properly!

I saw on your reply you're based in Chatham? I'm in Strood! - Are there any local VW meets or clubs that you know of?

Would love to hook up with a few owners over a beer if there's that sort of thing going on anywhere local?

Thanks,

Timing belt (or cam belt) drives the camshaft on "normal" engines... luckily, the WBX (waterboxer) has a gear driven cam as its only an OVH (over Head Valve) design..
No silly timing belt.. but it does have its own unique foibles and you really need to get to grip with it ASAP.. or have a really good mech that knows these vehicles..

The distributor does indeed control the ignition timing .. as it does on a lot of vehicles up tot he mid to late 90's....

cafc_79 wrote: - Are there any local VW meets or clubs that you know of?

Would love to hook up with a few owners over a beer if there's that sort of thing going on anywhere local?

Thanks,

...then become a member of club 80-90 and you will see a new section with all the club meets, weekends and holidays.... plus all the shows that the club attends with our own camp areas

Hi
and while you're in maintenance mode, change the gearbox oil too - in addition to what the others have already suggested.
Look on the Wiki and other posts about loosening FILLER plug before draining and oil grade. must be GL4 or GL4/5
Enjoy your fun van, sure you'll get to like it!!

jon

Thanks people!

Picked up the van today, great feeling driving her home with Beach Boys playing & sun beating down!

Wanted one since I was a lad and finally managed to convince the wife that it was a viable alternative for holidays!

I've joined the 80-90 club(!), and am planning on getting my hands dirty on a few jobs!

Hope to bump into some of you at a meet soon!

Thanks!

cafc_79 wrote:Thanks people!

Picked up the van today, great feeling driving her home with Beach Boys playing & sun beating down!

Wanted one since I was a lad and finally managed to convince the wife that it was a viable alternative for holidays!

I've joined the 80-90 club(!), and am planning on getting my hands dirty on a few jobs!

Hope to bump into some of you at a meet soon!

Thanks!

oooooooh you´ll get your hands dirty alright,

Sorry matey, been a bit busy since I posted that....


Right...rather than post local tips in technical...see the number in the sig....well, you can call me on that between 6 and 7.30 tonight if you want...or pm me a number and I'll call you. Or if you fancy some van chat and tea, and an oggle at ours, pop round Tuesday evening. can also put you on to a good local mechanic for when it all gets too much

and local meets? every so often the Kent faction get together in Ashford. Some of us are trundling off to Apps Court Farm at the end of April

Catch you soon

xx

oooooooh you´ll get your hands dirty alright,

That is sooo true - but very satisfying!! haha!

Isn't there a mechanic who's based in Strood that's good with our vans, runs one himself I think?

I'd like his details please if you could pm them to me, always worthwhile knowing there's a fellow sufferer especially if he can help out with repairs and stuff.

^^^^ new kentish campers...yep there is...he is the friendly mechanic I was on about...but he is changing around - dropping the garage and concentrating on campers...so I am not giving out the garage number at the moment! If anyone needs a camper repair in Kent let me know and I will pass on the mobile. He has new premises etc etc...but as always with these things there is some overlap!

regards

Em
xx

***UPDATE**** THE T3 MECHANIC IN STROOD IS NO LONGER TRADING.

regards

Em
x