Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club

Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club

Join or Renew: 01962 884146
membership.vwt2oc@yahoo.co.uk

Skip Navigation LinksHome > Forums > Van Help > General Van Chat > Underpowered T2 1600?

Forums

Please feel free to join in with these forums. We put them on here for a reason - to keep members in touch around the country and the world, even when there are no camps planned.

Underpowered T2 1600?

First Previous Next Last
  • 1
First Previous Next Last
  • 1
Underpowered T2 1600?
Bertie
30/05/2011 11:54		 Hi all - just joined this website after buying our first campercan yesterday - it's a beautiful T2 Viking conversion with a 1600 engine. Thing is, I realised before buying one that they're not exactly fast or powerful, but driving it yesterday and today I've found that he really struggles up any incline, requiring change down into 3rd or even 2nd sometimes to get up a gentle slope. Is this normal or is my engine running under par? If it is the latter, any ideas on where to start looking for the problem?
RE: Underpowered T2 1600?
derekandchristie
31/05/2011 10:25

Hi Bertie Sounds about right for a 1600 you are carrying a lot of weight

with the on board funiture.Let alone all the extras we like to carry just in case we need them.Why not  get it a look over at a garage perhaps it needs a tune up.A wise move on a second hand  motor anyway.These vans were not built for speed but they are long suffering workhorses that get along with parts of the engine not functioning.The 2nd & 3rd gears are there to be used so the engine isn't put under pressure.A T2 going up hill in top gear naaaa!!! We had one when it was new & that is somthing it never did.Part of the fun is holding up the rat racers.Its more relaxing in the slow lane.Christie
RE: Underpowered T2 1600?
DavidLewis
31/05/2011 14:09

Sounds about right for a 1600. My 1600 is not a full camping conversio - just a home made interior - made to be as light as possible. It still struggles up hill and needs 3rd.

It wouldn't hurt to check over the basics - or get a mechanic to look over it if you don't feel comfortable with spanners! However, they are basic engineering and if you get a good manual, the basics are withing everyones grasp. Correct timing makes a world of difference (inc correct gap on the points if you still have them). Correct valve clearances are also an easy fix and can help make the most of the little power you have. Check the points and leads as well. Mine had the incorrect length spark plugs (too short) when I bought him as I have a mexican 1600 engine  and fitting the correct ones made a world of difference.

As well as this forum there's a couple of other forums where the members are extremely willing to offer help and advice on any mechanical issues. I've changed drive shafts, rear wheel bearings, rebuilt brakes and had the engine out with their advice!

Try searching on the Just Kampers forum or The Late Bay forum for tuning advise. Good Luck and may the force (what little there is) be with you ;-)

Please feel free to join in with these forums.  We put them on here for a reason - to keep members in touch around the country and the world, even when there are no camps planned.  Conversation does not have to revolve around the Club, vans, VW or anything else necessarily linked to the rest of the site. 

However, we need to be sure that everyone knows the score. 

Please keep entries friendly.  We will remove or edit out unsavoury content, but we prefer that you avoid posting it in the first place.  Remember that people of all kinds read these pages, and the Club is supposed to be a fun place to be.  Anyone who persists in leaving foul messages will be struck off the users list, Club member or not. 

We hope you get involved with chatting here and find support with your repairs/restorations, friendship and entertainment.  Enjoy!

 

 

Users Currently Viewing This Page

Anonymous 1
Registered 0
 
 
Close