2.1 or 1.9 - which is most reliable ? (both running on carb

[shepster]

I am surprised you "haven't noticed much difference"
When I changed to a 2.1 on carb the difference still makes me grin!
From a wheezy 70 odd horses to a banging 100 plus horses made mine drivable in all scenarios.

Isn't his van still a 1.9, or have I misread?

[slowcoach]

I think he went from a 2.1 to 1.9..

[shepster]

I finally picked up my rebuilt van with 1.9 petrol engine the other day

Assumed it was still a 1.9 after seeing this, my mistake.

Agree with Kev then, should tell a difference.

[itchyfeet]

a tired 2.1 my not be much different than a fresh 1.9 and after you haven't driven it for a while you would notice the difference less.

[hightop ratty]

Only done 100 easy going miles in the rebuilt 1.9 engine so far, so hard to tell yet as taking it easy for the minute.

The 2.1 I'd say was gruntier with a bit more poke (unknown s/h condition engine I had put in about 8 - 9 years ago).

My original 1.9 was knackered when I bought it (soldiered on for about 2 years) - my baptism of fire into (the then) unknown world of VW's - was a Moggy 1000 / SAAB man so VW's were an unknown quantity back then

My new 1.9 was rebuilt from scratch by a VW guy "Tudor" down West Wales - loads of local VW guys swear by his rebuilds.

[shepster]

So it is a 1.9 then?

[hightop ratty]

1) Original engine was a 1.9 petrol (which I blew - it was knackered to start with)
2) Put a s/h 2.1 petrol (carb) in - was an unknown quantity when put in (it had been a re-con at some stage - but no history etc with it) - piston went through the block on motorway - engine was completely scrap apart from anciliaries
3) Had a 1.9 petrol rebuilt from scratch by a local vw engine rebuilder using my anciliaries

[shepster]

That's a yes then

[hightop ratty]

That's a yes then

[Aidan]

Just one thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread, the 2.1 has an oilwarmer/cooler fitted as stock, if you use a 2.1 engine as a replacement for a 1.9 and don't modify the cooling sytem to include this you may be reducing the life of the engine, the oilwarmer/cooler is there for a reason, it warms the oil up quickly so the engine comes up to safe working temp quicker and it helps to keep it in the happy temperature zone, partially it is to do with emissions from cold but it also helps with oil flow around the engine and stopping the oil becoming too hot and degrading when worked hard like the OP did; remember it's the same oil pump and same pressure relief valve and same oil filter with same bypass pressure in both engines. VW also fitted the 1.9 in Syncros with the oil warmer/cooler.

[itchyfeet]

unfortunately some people have declared that the std oil cooler is a warmer and does not help cool so it may well get dismissed.

I fitted one to my DG when it was tired to get me through the hot French summer trip and it defineately reduces oil temps and increases pressure.

[hightop ratty]

Just one thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread, the 2.1 has an oilwarmer/cooler fitted as stock, if you use a 2.1 engine as a replacement for a 1.9 and don't modify the cooling sytem to include this you may be reducing the life of the engine, the oilwarmer/cooler is there for a reason, it warms the oil up quickly so the engine comes up to safe working temp quicker and it helps to keep it in the happy temperature zone, partially it is to do with emissions from cold but it also helps with oil flow around the engine and stopping the oil becoming too hot and degrading when worked hard like the OP did; remember it's the same oil pump and same pressure relief valve and same oil filter with same bypass pressure in both engines. VW also fitted the 1.9 in Syncros with the oil warmer/cooler.

I didn't have an oil cooler on my 2.1 - just the early cooling system (no indication that throwing a piston through the block was imminent) - was merrily driving up the motor way (as I had been for many a weekend previously) - had left home fully laden ready to trade at Busfest just 15 minutes earlier & bang !!!

[Aidan]

Silverbullet, Tencentlife and many other reputable engine builders fit or recommend an additional oil cooler for optimum oil and engine life; my experience with currently available mineral 15w/40 oils (ie since Quantum stopped supplying it) is that they are all rubbish and degrade very quickly and suffer from carbonisation even running on LPG, so I now use Platinum fully synthetic oil in my WBX, oil is cheap, this week from VW 5 litres of Platinum is only £12, engine rebuilds aren't cheap

[ghost123uk]

FAO those who know...

What is it that makes the 2.1 somewhat prone to throwing a rod with no warning?

[itchyfeet]

I suspect there is a warning but people don't listen
low oil pressure, worn big ends, rod bolt failure
or possibly reused rod bolts