13-11-2023, 06:14 PM
Hi all, a short story of the trials and tribulations kombi repair. As a side note, I bought the Kombi from Brian and Cathy in Mt Gambier in 2009, before their relocation to the west.
After 14 years of ownership I was coming home from VW Spectacular in Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour in 2021, I managed to drop a valve in number 3 cylinder. So no compression and not a lot of performance.
Not a lot of mechanics in Coffs were keen to have a look.
Finally found one who was prepeared to have go. Well, after 14 months I got it back.
New pistons, barrels, heads, carbs etc, all went into the engine.
And it ran $#!thouse.
After investing 14 months and $7500 into the motor, I was reluctant to take it back.
So off to another mechanic who managed to get it running better but not perfect.
All packed on Friday night and ready to head off to Old Bar 2023, backing out of the driveway and it dies!
Spend all night and all day Saturday trying to get it running, no go, so off to Old Bar in the Touareg.
No power getting to the coil.
Back to Coffs and back to the second mechanic for a look, a fried relay, so new relay and a bit of wiring and it is running again, but not well.
So, on the hunt again!
My wife works for Gowings in Coffs Harbour, they have 3 split window kombis on display, all restored and all registered. I followed up with their mechanic, he was prepared to have a look.
I even asked if the could get it running reasonably well I would be happy, but he said we don't do reasonably well!
After a one day stay, it is running the best it has run in the past 4 years!
New plugs, points, leads, balance the carbs, tappets etc all checked/changed and boy, a revelation.
Just went to Brunswick Heads and back from Coffs Harbour over the weekend and ran beautifully, cruised at 100kmh, and could still overtake the occasional truck, fantastic!
Now back to a daily driver, as it was years ago, the Touareg parked in the shed!
If anyone is looking for a GOOD mechanic in Coffs, shoot me a message, I can pass on the details.
Bring on summer, Old Bar, Nimbin Cruise and VW Spectacular!
After 14 years of ownership I was coming home from VW Spectacular in Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour in 2021, I managed to drop a valve in number 3 cylinder. So no compression and not a lot of performance.
Not a lot of mechanics in Coffs were keen to have a look.
Finally found one who was prepeared to have go. Well, after 14 months I got it back.
New pistons, barrels, heads, carbs etc, all went into the engine.
And it ran $#!thouse.
After investing 14 months and $7500 into the motor, I was reluctant to take it back.
So off to another mechanic who managed to get it running better but not perfect.
All packed on Friday night and ready to head off to Old Bar 2023, backing out of the driveway and it dies!
Spend all night and all day Saturday trying to get it running, no go, so off to Old Bar in the Touareg.
No power getting to the coil.
Back to Coffs and back to the second mechanic for a look, a fried relay, so new relay and a bit of wiring and it is running again, but not well.
So, on the hunt again!
My wife works for Gowings in Coffs Harbour, they have 3 split window kombis on display, all restored and all registered. I followed up with their mechanic, he was prepared to have a look.
I even asked if the could get it running reasonably well I would be happy, but he said we don't do reasonably well!
After a one day stay, it is running the best it has run in the past 4 years!
New plugs, points, leads, balance the carbs, tappets etc all checked/changed and boy, a revelation.
Just went to Brunswick Heads and back from Coffs Harbour over the weekend and ran beautifully, cruised at 100kmh, and could still overtake the occasional truck, fantastic!
Now back to a daily driver, as it was years ago, the Touareg parked in the shed!
If anyone is looking for a GOOD mechanic in Coffs, shoot me a message, I can pass on the details.
Bring on summer, Old Bar, Nimbin Cruise and VW Spectacular!