2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

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LewisMac
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2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

2.1 DJ 1988 Transporter

Does anyone have any advice on how best to maintain and look after these engines? i am not mechanically minded and i do believe that prevention is the key.

My first van and only had her 6 months.

Correct me if i'm wrong but so far i've learned

. Use high quality replacement parts
. Change oil every 3000 miles
. only use 98 ron
. best to drive gently upon cold start instead if letting it idle.
. replace coolant every 5 years
. drive her frequently

Any other tips?

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T3luestar
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by T3luestar »

Keep an eye on all the wiring/connectors and earth's in and around the engine bay.
Change the fuel lines and gearbox oil, if you don't know when they were last changed, also the brake and power steering fluid (and filter) if fitted.

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T3luestar
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by T3luestar »

Oh, use and enjoy it as often as possible!

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Mocki
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by Mocki »

Apart from what has been said above ,
Check the coolant pipes in the engine bay and the rubber petrol pipes and the plastic baulkhead union when you do your monthly visual check inside the engine bay , pay particular attention to the coolant pipe that comes out of the top of the thermostat housing to the bleed rail , and the other small pipes off the bleed rail and importantly the large metal pipe from the water pump to the thermostat housing

Other than that just normal servicing , oil is cheap , engines are not !
Steve
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1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

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itchyfeet
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by itchyfeet »

fuel rubber pipes are hard to inspe t because the have a sleeve to stop abrasion.
Best to change then to top quality hose imo only from Brickwerks.
Also plastic fuel joiner on bulkhead swap for stainless
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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LewisMac
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

Is it normal for engine temps to rise sharply when climbing steep hills or is this a sign of something wrong?

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itchyfeet
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by itchyfeet »

depends what you mean
where does the needle sit normally and how high does it climb?
does the fan come in?
what sort of gradient hill are we talking, what speed? What length?
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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LewisMac
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

itchyfeet wrote:depends what you mean
where does the needle sit normally and how high does it climb?
does the fan come in?
what sort of gradient hill are we talking, what speed? What length?

Needle normally sits slightly over the middle mark.

tackled a fairly steep long hill 20 or 25 degree incline. maybe 150 metres long at about 40 or 50 mph, the steepest hill i've climbed in her so far.

needle fairly quickly moved up to 3/4 and red light behind needle started flashing. don't think the fan kicked in but it did when i checked the next day

my guess is that the mechanic who changed the coolant in her the week previous might not have known how to get all the air pockets out?

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itchyfeet
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by itchyfeet »

Doesn't sound right no, could be air in the system.

have you checked the coolant bottle inside engine bay with the pressure cap is tip top full, should be always.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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LewisMac
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

itchyfeet wrote:Doesn't sound right no, could be air in the system.

have you checked the coolant bottle inside engine bay with the pressure cap is tip top full, should be always.

You are going to roll your eyes but I pulled over and opened the water tank behind the registration plate. (Is it called the expansion tank?)Of course water started pouring out.

Then I checked the pressurised tank with the blue cap and topped it up.

Next day when it was cool I topped up coolant bottle and the expansion tank behind the reg flap. ( not supposed to top up the overflow tank is that right?) then I noticed a coolant puddle under the van.

Managed to find a specialist mechanic near me who has her now and he found she has a cracked cylinder head. So right now she is getting a brand new head and I’m doing my research on the WBX engine. If there is any money left after the repair I’ll get a bentleys manual.






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itchyfeet
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by itchyfeet »

all you need to know about the WBX 2,1 is here, to be honest I have a Bentley but rarely use it.

http://syncrosport.com/info/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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LewisMac
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

Itchyfeet, what’s your thoughts on on these engines climbing hills? Is it best avoided?

I’ve seen some synchros do some exceptional things


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itchyfeet
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by itchyfeet »

LewisMac wrote:Itchyfeet, what’s your thoughts on on these engines climbing hills? Is it best avoided?

I’ve seen some synchros do some exceptional things



No problem at all, I have a 1.9 DG and a 2.1 DJ

I have taken both to France loaded up for camping and on the route from Cherbourg down to Rennes there are some long motorway hills ( can't remember where)
The DG ends up down below 50mph foot on the floor in the crawler lane, just at the point having to change up to third, and the DJ can do it at 70 foot on the floor, yes the temp gauge will rise a bit but they can handle it no problem.

If yours is overheating there is a fault.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

LewisMac
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by LewisMac »

Good stuff, thanks


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Mocki
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Re: 2.1 DJ maintenance tips for a newbie

Post by Mocki »

old bunged up and blocked radiator will have the same needle rising effect, as will previous muppettry using "rad weld" type "pooh" resulting in the same blocked or restricted radiatorness
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
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________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

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