THE KOMBI KONNECTION

kermet75camper · Kombi Kadet Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Perth

Hi my friend has a Kombi but knows nothing about them..
He has had a quote in Perth for a $1,000 to fix a bent valve ans supply the surround for the altinator.
The mechanic insists that to fit a new valve to the cylinder head he mujst take out the entire engine!??!?
Is this true or can i be done by simply removing the tin and inlet and exhaust manifolds and going in through the back wheel arch???
I'm pretty clued up on these sort of thing but this on has me a little confused and i though their would be some more Kombi pros that no all the tricks on how it could be done.

Also i there anyone in the Albany area that could be trusted with such a job and not just do a half arsed job.

Please could someone give me a heads up
Cheers Gav

"Edited by Admin- Business name removed"

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If ya can't drive it? Push it!

Brookie · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

It takes about 45 minutes tops to take out VW engine- have seen it done in 9 minutes.
If it has bent valve it is most likely caused by recession in valve seat and valve guide is cactus as well-possibly so is head.

You could also phone around people listed in our Recommended Repairers section to get estimates

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Kombis Keep you Younger

73 Sopru Poptop-under resto

Kinga · Moderator Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 487 Location: Perth

Karl has a reputation of being very reasonably priced and a "straight shooter" (so to speak).

All I have ever heard about Karl is glowing reports from people that have taken their cars to him for years and years.

The guy is VW trained too, so really knows his stuff and these guys are getting very hard to find now.

Basically, he is one of those "pros that know all the tricks on how it could be done" that you are seeking and certainly would not do a "half ass job"

In my opinion, a "half ass job" would be not to remove the head.

I have a problem with the way you worded your post kermet75camper.

By mentioning a business name and then a quote that you think is unreasonably high, you have (I hope inadvertently) given him bad press in a public forum.

It would have been better if you just mentioned the mechanical problem and the quote, without mentioning the business.

Whilst personally, I have never even met Karl, my understanding based on what his customers have told me, is that you will be pretty hard pressed to find such a level of service, that has stood the test of time, at such a conservative price around Perth.

As for the troubles you mention; firstly, type 4 motors (most late model Kombis) are nowhere near as easy to get in and out as type 1 motors.

Even with type 1 motors, a low-light with a removable rear valence panel is a hell of a lot quicker and easier to remove too.

So more information is needed to be able to answer your question properly.

Removing VW motors from Kombis is pretty fresh in my mind atm as I have assisted removing a type 1 and type 4 motor already this year with some fellow KK members and certainly wouldn't count on it being done in "record time" by anyone.

I think if someone can do it in record time then they should be rewarded for their expertise, not penalised, by charging by the hour.

I don't think you will find a mechanic that would be silly enough to quote based on a 45 mins for engine removal. Well not one that will be in business for much longer anyway.

We are talking about 30+ year old cars with all their quirky mods over the years and seized/non-genuine bolts that certainly mess you around when you come across them.

I know that one member on here did a ring around for quotes on simply removing one engine and replacing it with another (without doing any repairs) and, from memory, all of the quotes from the main VW specialists around town came in at around $500 or more (that probably equates to about 2 hours they are allowing to remove)

As for the need to remove the head; it's the only way to know for sure that it doesn't have a crack in it or other problems that may exist that would require fixing as mentioned by Brookie. I would be surprised if it was just a simple case of replacing the valve and think it would be false economy not to remove the head.
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Kinga

Mustard Man · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:26 am Post subject:

Well said!
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Cheers
Mustard Man
Rich

'1972 Microbus'
'Its not the destination, but the journey that counts'

Brookie · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

This is link to famed Ratwell site re engine removal
with full description and photos- carb and FI engines

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/EngineRemoval.html

I have never paid more than $90 to have engine removed or replaced.
This is of course in pro workshops with hoist and engine/transmission stand

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Kombis Keep you Younger

73 Sopru Poptop-under resto

Brookie · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:09 am Post subject:

Spoke today to Volker Storig -founder of Volkers Motors -now retired- and Eric Matz of Auto Europe who is in our Recommended Repairers section.

Eric will remove an 1800 for $120-approx 1.2 hours and Volkers price for removal & reinstall is approx 2.5 hours. Eric agrees with this as it takes longer to install than remove.

They also both agree that engine removal is only way to go as you cannot remove tinware with motor insitu.
It would be far wiser to do this than butcher tinware and if piston or barrel was damaged you have wasted time as well as costly damage.

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Kombis Keep you Younger

73 Sopru Poptop-under resto