change up - change down or leave

[BrisyGeorge]

Hi,

I have owned Mr K for many years and had his motor reconditioned (now 2.1L type 4) a year or so ago, so there is plenty of torque (its all relative of course ).   Many times when driving I find,  on a gentle hill at say 60km 4 gear means the engine is handling it ok but working hard, whereas 3rd gear means he is revving fairly high ( sorry about all the generalities)

So.......my question is .....is it ok to let the engine operate under obvious load for short distances or go for the higher revs to take the load off it and suffer the higher revs (and wear?)  My understanding is as its air cooled, labouring at low revs means less air cooling from the fan which pushes engine temp up and increases strain on engine components.

cheers

[Barry]

Peak torques is around 3,000 revs

I would change down once you drop below...................2,000 revs

[KIWI]

Peak torques is around 3,000 revs

I would change down once you drop below...................2,000 revs

+1
...and if you need to drop back to, say, 55km/h just do it whilst keeping out of the way of those who wish to travel at 65km/h.

[BrisyGeorge]

+1
...and if you need to drop back to, say, 55km/h just do it whilst keeping out of the way of those who wish to travel at 65km/h.

Thanks Kiwi and Barry,

Without a tacho, are you saying revs are better that labouring?

[Barry]

Without a tacho, are you saying revs are better that labouring?

100% better

Labouring will kill something
Revs just wears things out

Do you have a timing light?
You reach max advance at ~ 3,200 revs(ish)

Listen to what your motor sounds like when you have reached max advance

[Oldman]

x 2 Barry n Kiwi's posts....
Labouring an engine is the quickest way to kill it.
Remember that these beasts are geared low to carry loads....all day , every day.
Whilst labouring the engine is bad, over-revving it is not great either. 
Drive to the revs. but not thrashing up and down through the gear range.
Kombis have big windows up front so you can enjoy the view, while those around you hurry past to meet their maker......

[Grantus]

This is really informative info about T2’s, that is educational to me.

Barry,

Your T3 must be different to this, coz these are not the numbers or ranges my T3’s run on.

[Barry]

This is really informative info about T2’s, that is educational to me.

Barry,

Your T3 must be different to this, coz these are not the numbers or ranges my T3’s run on.

Grant

MV 2.1L T3 is 160Nm @ 2800 RPM.

http://vwt3.com/t3-tech/t3-data/engine-d...3-2-1l-mv/

That is "around 3,000 RPM" in my books

[maccas]

Grant

MV 2.1L T3 is 160Nm @ 2800 RPM.

http://vwt3.com/t3-tech/t3-data/engine-d...3-2-1l-mv/

That is "around 3,000 RPM" in my books

Correct ... 3000 rpm is sweet spot according to my OEM tacho. 

   

[Cbus]

The engines can rev to 95km/hr ,or more, in 3rd so 60km/ hr is no sweat.
Too lazy at mo to work out the appropriate revs
As you noted, they are air cooled so pick revs over lugging anytime.
I sometimes have it in 4th @ 60km but any hint of a upward slope i change back to 3rd.
Less strain on engine in my view 

Thats for 1800 and 2 litre. Stock ish OD tyres.