Which Engine code should we be chasing?

[crm2000uk]

Hey Guys,

So the main thing I am not getting a straight forward answer is, What engine to we buy?


1600cc air-cooled
CT 1600cc 50 bhp Flat 4
2000cc air-cooled
CU 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
CV 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
1900>2100cc water-cooled
EY 1900cc 55 bhp Flat 4
DF 1900cc 60 bhp Flat 4
SP 1900cc 73 bhp Flat 4
DG 1900cc 78 bhp Flat 4
DH 1900cc 83 bhp Flat 4
GW 1900cc 90 bhp Flat 4
SR 2100cc 87 bhp Flat 4
SS 2100cc 92 bhp Flat 4
MV 2100cc 95 bhp Flat 4
DJ 2100cc 112 bhp Flat 4
1600>1700cc diesel and turbo diesel
CS 1600cc 50 bhp Inline 4
KY 1700cc 57 bhp Inline 4
JX 1600cc 70 bhp Inline 4

We are fairly certain we don't want an older air cooled one, purely as the age we are chasing would ideally be newer so that the van itself benefits from the later upgrades and improvements. This rules out a large portion of them, so all single grill vans we immediately overlook as it is not what we want.

This leaves us with the option between a "thirsty" Petrol number or a more "economic" diesel. From our reading I can't seem to get much of an opinion on what is the best and what might be a bad choice. It would be great to hear form you guys on what engines we should be happy to find and if there are any that we should avoid due to expected problems or poor build quality etc.

The 1.9 DG seems to be a decent engine and fairly well praised in our reading, are there any other engine codes anyone else suggests?
Whats the MPG difference like between the TD's and the 1.9-2.1 Petrols?

Any help at this stage would be great, personal experience is always better than one guys writing a segment for me to read with a biased view. Better to get all your views and see what comes out as the favourites!

Cheers
Chris

[clift_d]

Double grilled vans are all later water-cooled, which is what you seem to be after. Single grilled vans are air cooled, i.e. earlier.

[hightop ratty]

From my experience (petrol only)

Itchyfeet will be along soon with more technicla help

All petrols are thirsty (have had 1.9 & 2.1) - up to 20 mpg if you drive it sensibly & don't hammer it - but they are will & able (& will get you there quicker than a diesel - especially the 1.6D) - the trade off is performance / frugality.

2.1 is better than 1.9 as better torque (i've learn't 99.9% of what I know of here from people who know best

I'l throw a curve ball into the mix - the 2.0 8v Golf Gti engine is a popular mod (better mpg / but will need diesel parts to convert).

Good Luck

[RogerT]

On the other hand, diesels are more forgiving of poor maintenance and are generally pretty bombproof. Noisy though. Petrol water cooled , you need to be sure they have had their coolant changed regularly, or there's trouble down t'road.

And they are all pretty old now...

[bigherb]

1600cc air-cooled
CT 1600cc 50 bhp Flat 4
Good for urban delivery vans, not the best for long distance work.

2000cc air-cooled
CU 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Good tough engine but getting old and only fitted to the older vans, but if a van came up with very good bodywork don't dismiss it.

CV 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

1900>2100cc water-cooled
EY 1900cc 55 bhp Flat 4
DF 1900cc 60 bhp Flat 4
SP 1900cc 73 bhp Flat 4
DG 1900cc 78 bhp Flat 4
DH 1900cc 83 bhp Flat 4
GW 1900cc 90 bhp Flat 4
SR 2100cc 87 bhp Flat 4
SS 2100cc 92 bhp Flat 4
MV 2100cc 95 bhp Flat 4
DJ 2100cc 112 bhp Flat 4

DF,DG 1900 The most common UK engines.
DF low powered to replace the CT 1600 Aircooled engine in the delivery van market.
DG the most common UK engine
DH fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

DJ 2100
Larger capacity more powerful version of the DG originally fitted with fuel injection (some have been converted to carburetors)
Wasn't unknown for conrods to make a break for freedom, less of a problem when the timing was retarded for unleaded petrol which reduced the power a tad and reduced the stress on the bottom end.
MV later cleaner emissions version of the DJ less power so didn't stress to bottom end so much.



1600>1700cc diesel and turbo diesel
CS 1600cc 50 bhp Inline 4
Designed for the delivery van market

KY 1700cc 57 bhp Inline 4
As above but a bit more usable power

JX 1600cc 70 bhp Inline 4
A diesel which you can use on long distances.

The other engine codes where for other markets not common or sold in the UK.

[crm2000uk]

On the other hand, diesels are more forgiving of poor maintenance and are generally pretty bombproof. Noisy though. Petrol water cooled , you need to be sure they have had their coolant changed regularly, or there's trouble down t'road.

And they are all pretty old now...

I noticed this, head bolt deterioration due to age and potentially incorrect coolant? How common is this?
Very tough to know whether the user has known this, short of a visual inspection and an audible listen for knocks any real way to tell how far gone the head might be? Short of looking for some creaming or oil in the water.

I suppose it is a case of check the history, hope the standard of servicing is as good as the van looks or feels and keep fingers crossed!

[crm2000uk]

1600cc air-cooled
CT 1600cc 50 bhp Flat 4
Good for urban delivery vans, not the best for long distance work.

2000cc air-cooled
CU 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Good tough engine but getting old and only fitted to the older vans, but if a van came up with very good bodywork don't dismiss it.

CV 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

1900>2100cc water-cooled
EY 1900cc 55 bhp Flat 4
DF 1900cc 60 bhp Flat 4
SP 1900cc 73 bhp Flat 4
DG 1900cc 78 bhp Flat 4
DH 1900cc 83 bhp Flat 4
GW 1900cc 90 bhp Flat 4
SR 2100cc 87 bhp Flat 4
SS 2100cc 92 bhp Flat 4
MV 2100cc 95 bhp Flat 4
DJ 2100cc 112 bhp Flat 4

DF,DG 1900 The most common UK engines.
DF low powered to replace the CT 1600 Aircooled engine in the delivery van market.
DG the most common UK engine
DH fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

DJ 2100
Larger capacity more powerful version of the DG originally fitted with fuel injection (some have been converted to carburetors)
Wasn't unknown for conrods to make a break for freedom, less of a problem when the timing was retarded for unleaded petrol which reduced the power a tad and reduced the stress on the bottom end.
MV later cleaner emissions version of the DJ less power so didn't stress to bottom end so much.



1600>1700cc diesel and turbo diesel
CS 1600cc 50 bhp Inline 4
Designed for the delivery van market

KY 1700cc 57 bhp Inline 4
As above but a bit more usable power

JX 1600cc 70 bhp Inline 4
A diesel which you can use on long distances.

The other engine codes where for other markets not common or sold in the UK.

Super helpful dude thank you!

[zenecho]

2000cc air-cooled
CU 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Good tough engine but getting old and only fitted to the older vans, but if a van came up with very good bodywork don't dismiss it.

This is mine, I belive the engine was changed at about 80,000? Ive had camper for over 10 years, It has about 102,000 on the clock. (was not used for 3-4 years). Engine seems robust and has been farly straight forward to fix, even with my very limited skills. (mostly just maintance, replacing fuel lines etc) . My garage says its very easy to take out, so bills are may be not so high as other versions. - they replaced the oil seals as was dripping oil bady. Can happily cruise the Motorway at 80 when going well. Petrol consumpsion is as expected though

[hightop ratty]

1600cc air-cooled
CT 1600cc 50 bhp Flat 4
Good for urban delivery vans, not the best for long distance work.

2000cc air-cooled
CU 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Good tough engine but getting old and only fitted to the older vans, but if a van came up with very good bodywork don't dismiss it.

CV 2000cc 70 bhp Flat 4
Fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

1900>2100cc water-cooled
EY 1900cc 55 bhp Flat 4
DF 1900cc 60 bhp Flat 4
SP 1900cc 73 bhp Flat 4
DG 1900cc 78 bhp Flat 4
DH 1900cc 83 bhp Flat 4
GW 1900cc 90 bhp Flat 4
SR 2100cc 87 bhp Flat 4
SS 2100cc 92 bhp Flat 4
MV 2100cc 95 bhp Flat 4
DJ 2100cc 112 bhp Flat 4

DF,DG 1900 The most common UK engines.
DF low powered to replace the CT 1600 Aircooled engine in the delivery van market.
DG the most common UK engine
DH fuel injected version of above not common in the UK

DJ 2100
Larger capacity more powerful version of the DG originally fitted with fuel injection (some have been converted to carburetors)
Wasn't unknown for conrods to make a break for freedom, less of a problem when the timing was retarded for unleaded petrol which reduced the power a tad and reduced the stress on the bottom end.
MV later cleaner emissions version of the DJ less power so didn't stress to bottom end so much.

My 2100 threw a conrod at 70mph on the motorway (with no warning - ultra reliable up to that point - & replacing with another 2100 (running on pierburg carb) - better check garage do retarded timing

1600>1700cc diesel and turbo diesel
CS 1600cc 50 bhp Inline 4
Designed for the delivery van market

KY 1700cc 57 bhp Inline 4
As above but a bit more usable power

JX 1600cc 70 bhp Inline 4
A diesel which you can use on long distances.

The other engine codes where for other markets not common or sold in the UK.

[crm2000uk]

Thanks for your help everyone, some insight there that's helped! I think we will aim for a 2.1 if we can find a tidy one. We probably won't turn our nose up at a smart 1.9 DG or similar if one pops up or at a push we might go for the 1.6TD. It's not what we want really I'd rather something a little thirsty for it's perks over the diesel.

Shout if you think I'm a making a terrible decision, but essentially I will only be after a straight, well maintained engine and if it's right it's right.

Still not after an air cooled though, I'd rather the potential benefits of a later water cooled build.

[hightop ratty]

Just seen you are sunny South Wales as well.

I've had a 1.9 & 2.1 in my van (both running carb - the same one in fact !)

Didn't notice much extra power from the 2.1 (over the 1.9), but the 2.1 is mean't to be the better one as more torque (i'l be retarding the timing for unleaded this time to help save my con rods - a tip I picked up (too late - on this tread) as my 2.1 is being rebuilt after throwing a conrod

You are welcome to come & have a try of mine when it's back from the garage (& there are a few other very helpful guys around S Wales, who i'm sure would be more than happy to have a look over theirs).

There's always Busfest (Malvern 8th - 10th Sept 2017) to have a gander & chat with owners.

Whatever you choose have a blast

[Ian Hulley]

Didn't notice much extra power from the 2.1 (over the 1.9),

The 2.1 was already very poorly then.

I would honestly suggest you don't try a 2.1DJ unless you have one at hand to put in your van ... you will be forever disappointed.

Ian

[crm2000uk]

I Reckon we are hunting a 2.1, we won't say no to a 1.9 but through much more reading, feedback and comments I think that is our best bet. Now to find a smart one!

[crm2000uk]

Just seen you are sunny South Wales as well.

I've had a 1.9 & 2.1 in my van (both running carb - the same one in fact !)

Didn't notice much extra power from the 2.1 (over the 1.9), but the 2.1 is mean't to be the better one as more torque (i'l be retarding the timing for unleaded this time to help save my con rods - a tip I picked up (too late - on this tread) as my 2.1 is being rebuilt after throwing a conrod

You are welcome to come & have a try of mine when it's back from the garage (& there are a few other very helpful guys around S Wales, who i'm sure would be more than happy to have a look over theirs).

There's always Busfest (Malvern 8th - 10th Sept 2017) to have a gander & chat with owners.

Whatever you choose have a blast

We are heading to Gower first week of September, perhaps Hannah and I could pop by for a quick look and possible a little ride in the cab with you? Only if this is actually possible, no worries either way. It would be great to get the excitement and awe out of the way before we see any and get too keen and buy a dud! Let me know if you can help that would be sweet!

Thanks again!

[hightop ratty]

Just seen you are sunny South Wales as well.

I've had a 1.9 & 2.1 in my van (both running carb - the same one in fact !)

Didn't notice much extra power from the 2.1 (over the 1.9), but the 2.1 is mean't to be the better one as more torque (i'l be retarding the timing for unleaded this time to help save my con rods - a tip I picked up (too late - on this tread) as my 2.1 is being rebuilt after throwing a conrod

You are welcome to come & have a try of mine when it's back from the garage (& there are a few other very helpful guys around S Wales, who i'm sure would be more than happy to have a look over theirs).

There's always Busfest (Malvern 8th - 10th Sept 2017) to have a gander & chat with owners.

Whatever you choose have a blast

We are heading to Gower first week of September, perhaps Hannah and I could pop by for a quick look and possible a little ride in the cab with you? Only if this is actually possible, no worries either way. It would be great to get the excitement and awe out of the way before we see any and get too keen and buy a dud! Let me know if you can help that would be sweet!

Thanks again!

Absolutely no problem at all (glad to be of assistance) - you are more than welcome to come and have a look at our van, and i am more than happy to take you out in it for a quick spin (as long as we've got it back from its engine rebuild by then - crossed fingers).
We work from home, so are about most of the time.