Horsebox spare parts - Advice?

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AbFab

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I have an A reg VW LT35 Diesel (1984 model) that is my pride and joy. Got to a show the other day and broke down. Turns out the cam shaft is snapped pretty much in half. Fantastic. Until I get someone to strip the engine I don't know if there are any smashed pistons underneath. There are 2 situations here (no, scrapping my beloved Mabel is not an option!):

A - Replace the camshaft and cylinder head along with any broken pistons

B - Replace the entire engine

The mechanic that came out gave me a rough (!) estimate of £1000-£1500. The wagon is only worth £3000! Having had a look online it seems that quote is quite a way out, but I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking at. Are there any mechanical whizz kids on here with more of an idea of what those kind of parts would cost? And any suggestions of where to look? It's times like these I wish I was a mechanic.
 
I used to use 24/7 spares for my old horsebox, you put your number plate in and what part you want and it goes out to all breakers/suppliers etc on their data base and they conatct you if they have one and the price.

It was fab when we got priced £300 for a wing from the manufacturer but ended getting it for £80 with p&p brand new (all above board i do hssten to add!!)
 
the good news is that vw engine parts are cheap and available everywhere , you just need a good honest chap to do the work
chris
 
Fantastic, thanks! I sent my details off to them earlier but wasn't sure if they were a decent company, never had any experience of this kind of thing before!

I've only had the damn thing about a month!! It better not die for a long while after this!
 
Try to find someone who specialises in engine reconditioning rather than a general grease monkey. The recon guys are set up for the job and although they might have a higher hourly rate, they will get the work done to a better standard in les time. Effectively you have two options 1) buy a second hand engine (with no guarantee that it is any good, although they can do a compression test, but that may not be indicative of many problems OR, and this is what I would do if I was keeping the box b) get the existing engine recon by proper guys who will use new cam set, pistons etc, and there by giving you a better value job.
I used 24/7 spares last week and by the time someone got back to me I had collected the part from a dealer and fitted it for half the price they wanted!
 
ferrador said:
sounds as though you bought a ringer , where did you get it ? try trading standards if it was bought from a dealer
chris
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Unfortunately it was a private sale. You live and learn eh? Suppose it's one of those things that's just very unlucky.

Baggybreeches said:
Try to find someone who specialises in engine reconditioning rather than a general grease monkey. The recon guys are set up for the job and although they might have a higher hourly rate, they will get the work done to a better standard in les time. Effectively you have two options 1) buy a second hand engine (with no guarantee that it is any good, although they can do a compression test, but that may not be indicative of many problems OR, and this is what I would do if I was keeping the box b) get the existing engine recon by proper guys who will use new cam set, pistons etc, and there by giving you a better value job.
I used 24/7 spares last week and by the time someone got back to me I had collected the part from a dealer and fitted it for half the price they wanted!
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Thank you for your advice. Don't suppose you could recommend anyone could you? I'm in Wigan so not too far from you.
 
gemmac86 said:
Unfortunately it was a private sale. You live and learn eh? Suppose it's one of those things that's just very unlucky.



Thank you for your advice. Don't suppose you could recommend anyone could you? I'm in Wigan so not too far from you.
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As it happens I could, I use a mechanic who is just off the A570 (Rainford Bypass) if you want I can PM you his number, he is quite busy as he does farm machinery and the like, but he is very good and pretty cheap. Let me know if you want, will try to think of a couple of others in the meantime just to give you options ( I used to sell wagon parts hence being able to make decent recommendations ;) )
 
When you buy a vehicle which has a cambelt ,unless you are ABSOLUTELY SURE of the mileage done on the old belt ,ALWAYS change it. Your cambelt snapped , and smashed your engine .Your engine is now scrap. Fortunately a good mechanic could find you a good engine and change it. You didnt buy a ringer ,you simply bought one that was in need of a cambelt change.
 
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