Club 80-90 Forums

Hi again
As part of my ongoing journey to find my van i have seen one advertised that looks interesting, it's a 1986 2.1 petrol automatic.

I have no issues with a modern automatic but have never had an older one.

Are they more troublesome than manuals and are they a good drive?

Any experiences/opinions welcome!

Thanks

My caravelle was auto when I got it, I had never driven one before but got used to it easily, its a nice drive, very smooth. I have since changed it to manual though.

Thanks
I will go and check it out I think see what i reckon

Can I ask why you changed?

One day my van will come.....

The caravelle was for my daughter so I thought manual would be easier for her and I also had a Subaru engine to use and thought with the caravelle being a high mileage I would do a complete conversion to manual and Subaru at the same time, unfortunately the manual gearbox I used had seen better days so I have changed that for a reconditioned 4 speed that Aidan done for me about 10 years ago. Now its all good again. My daughter doesn't want to drive it which suits me as its a great van but going to have to sell one of the others- three is a crowd as they say.

Thanks, mate that's helpful

We have a CU engined auto, not the fastest thing about but that is probably due to the engine not the gearbox. Very smooth relaxed driving, will kick down if needed but there is only 3 gears to choose from. I have always felt it would benefit from a higher torque engine to cope better with the limited gears.
By all accounts the gearbox will handle far more power than the engine can give it so they will last well if looked after.

Hi,
We have had our 1.9dg auto (lpg) for almost 20 years now. No probs. Would not swap. The 3 forward gears have been more than adequate from Scotland to Cornwall including the steepest of hills. 0 to 60 takes time but T3's are not noted for their briskness. You can put it in Drive and leave it alone or use the lever to go up and down. I usually change the fluid about every 3 years

They're all getting old and the internal seals etc are getting hard. If its not been rebuilt already it may not be too long before it needs it along with the torque converter. Check the transmission fluid carefully before buying, make sure it's not dark or has a burnt smell.

Hi all
First time post but been lurking for ages! I have a 1.9 l.h.d. auto. Had this 3 years or so as a rolling project and 90 there now. I like the auto box (or have i got used to it), it feels smooth but that might be about the bus' weight and lack of power. She will do about 62 mph tops, not sure if thats normal but its ok. The paperwork i got with the van included a bill for around £1200 for a auto box rebuild around 10 years (2000 miles) ago, no problems with this so far. I just stick it in drive and forget. Couple of weeks ago went from North east coat to Gower in Wales (750 miles round trip) without missing a beat. On one of those really hot days we passed loads of broken down newer cars, touch wood!
andrew

I love my Automatic that I bought by accident as ebay ad had no interior pics or mention of auto.

Have owned a manual 1.9 DG and was no faster than my auto.

Very smooth and relaxing.

My tip is test drive before you buy and look under van at box and make sure it's not covered in oil

Mine leaked really badly from the Diff seals and the second gear brake piston o rings.
Both pretty simple to fix.

Same box as most small porsches of the same age 924/944 so pretty strong.
but do suffer from neglect by garages that think they can skip atf and filter changes.

Rick

I have a 1.9 DG automatic and really like it. The van has paperwork for a recondition 10k miles ago so that was peace of mind for sure. It's really relaxing to drive and returns low 20s MPG wise. It has been said, if they are maintained I would go for it just be sure it doesn't need major work as this will need a specialist and won't be cheap. Service history is the key.

Cobra88 wrote:I love my Automatic that I bought by accident as ebay ad had no interior pics or mention of auto.

Have owned a manual 1.9 DG and was no faster than my auto.

Very smooth and relaxing.

My tip is test drive before you buy and look under van at box and make sure it's not covered in oil

Mine leaked really badly from the Diff seals and the second gear brake piston o rings.
Both pretty simple to fix.

Same box as most small porsches of the same age 924/944 so pretty strong.
but do suffer from neglect by garages that think they can skip atf and filter changes.

Rick

Took mine into Harry Harpics for a replacement 2nd year brake band piston cover seal. They put it together wrong then tested it to destruction driving it backwards and forwards. The rebuild they supplied didn’t last a year and it was about. £1200

I replaced my own seals
Using the samba guide

I dropped the oil pan and valve block and backed off the brake band adjuster 4 turns
It all lined up on its own when i used the C clamp molegrips to press it in

I bet if i tried the same without dropping the valveblock it all would have gone Pete Tong

Not actually a hard job as long as you dont force it in

Regards
Rick