Camper vans ?

[___S_o_m_a__]

No it was a bloke in Scarborough, the engine cost £250 and labour, he changed the crank bearings and did a bit of preventative maintenance and i think it was about £600 all in.

from what i can gather quite a few VW engines will fit the T25 and as they slope you just have to change the sump over.

You can also get Subaru Impreza engines into a lot of campers as an alternative.

[eFestivals]

You can also get Subaru Impreza engines into a lot of campers as an alternative.

I've seen a few of those at a VW show I went to ... Want one.

But like with Golf engines (so i've been told, anyhow), there's a bit of cutting stuff about needed to make it fit, it doesn't slot straight in.

My van got another visit from the AA just now .... I'd popped down the road, and when I can to restart nothing happened, the solenoid on the starter didn't want to work. AA man was there in 15 mins tho, and the van was going again after the soleniod was given a few taps with a hammer (which I'd tried, but really needs two people so that the key can be turned at the same time). So now I've got to get and fit a new starter before the end of the week, cos while it might not happen again for weeks it will happen again (and normally at the most inconvenient time). I'd rather know it's going to start OK.

Edited July 21, 2014 by eFestivals

[___S_o_m_a__]

I've seen a few of those at a VW show I went to ... Want one.

But like with Golf engines (so i've been told, anyhow), there's a bit of cutting stuff about needed to make it fit, it doesn't slot straight in.

My van got another visit from the AA just now .... I'd popped down the road, and when I can to restart nothing happened, the solenoid on the starter didn't want to work. AA man was there in 15 mins tho, and the van was going again after the soleniod was given a few taps with a hammer (which I'd tried, but really needs two people so that the key can be turned at the same time). So now I've got to get and fit a new starter before the end of the week, cos while it might not happen again for weeks it will happen again (and normally at the most inconvenient time). I'd rather know it's going to start OK.

Yep can be bit of work to get them (especially if you're going for a turbo'd WRX unit) in but perhaps worth the effort :-)

Sounds like your starter motor is sticking. I've just replaced the starter in my Beetle and I got it from GSF Car Parts aircooled shop at veewee.co.uk If you sign up to the mailing list you'll get 10% off straightaway.

Alternatively keep the hammer with you if there's two of you or you can jump the connection like this:

[eFestivals]

it's the solenoid rather than the starter - tho annoyingly the solenoid isn't a separate part, so GFS have just a moment ago had my dosh (with discount, via a t25 site) for a new starter motor.

The hammer thing normally only works if you can hit the starter at the same moment you've got the key turned - which is definitely a two man job on a rear-engined vehicle.

[neilloggie]

it's the solenoid rather than the starter - tho annoyingly the solenoid isn't a separate part, so GFS have just a moment ago had my dosh (with discount, via a t25 site) for a new starter motor.

The hammer thing normally only works if you can hit the starter at the same moment you've got the key turned - which is definitely a two man job on a rear-engined vehicle.

Is there an auto electrician near you? most starter motors/alternators can be repaired fairly easy.

I had my starter overhauled and the solenoid sorted for £40.

When you say the solenoid isn't a seperate part, does it look like this? if so there is a way of getting it out and replacing it with a new one, even though VW will try and charge £250+ for a complete unit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STARTER-MOTOR-1-7-KW-VW-TRANSPORTER-T3-T25-CARAVELLE-1-6-1-7-D-TD-/371087366619?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item566687d9db

Edited July 21, 2014 by neilloggie

[eFestivals]

Is there an auto electrician near you? most starter motors/alternators can be repaired fairly easy.

I had my starter overhauled and the solenoid sorted for £40.

When you say the solenoid isn't a seperate part, does it look like this? if so there is a way of getting it out and replacing it with a new one, even though VW will try and charge £250+ for a complete unit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STARTER-MOTOR-1-7-KW-VW-TRANSPORTER-T3-T25-CARAVELLE-1-6-1-7-D-TD-/371087366619?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item566687d9db

I need the van reliable and working every day for the next 6 weeks, I've got no when available that it can be laid up for a few days.

I know the solenoid can be repaired (it's similar-ish to the one you linked to), but it's only as good as the effort that gets put in - and there's no particular incentive for a one-maner to do a great job, so it might well fail again soon-ish.

For £100 I've got a factory's rep behind what i've just bought, plus I've also got a reconditioned starter. It's a no-brainer really, it's very likely to outlast my ownership of the vehicle.

Edited July 21, 2014 by eFestivals

[mungo57]

We stay in a Tranpervan lol (transit can with built in bed and sink to qualify for the regs which can be found on the official site

Well, the gf's dad does as his back is shot. We sleep in a tent alongside. Only downside to me is the invariably longer walk to the tent after you've finished for the evening