vw base Forums

martynk

(Sorry - I posted this in the wrong forum - so reposted here)

Hi folks;

Looking for help again....

Being the DIY type, I prefer to do most of my own servicing and repairs.

Last year I bought a 1993 VW based Swift Royale 550. I think the chassis is based on a VW Transporter 57D.

I have a problem with a sticking rear brake shoe not releasing. As it got
rather hot before I noticed it....(10 miles, a *lot* of smokeand one hell of
a smell and eventually boiled brake fluid), it means that I will probably
have to replace the shoes and possibly the drum as well.

How does one go about getting parts for the engine/chassis etc. I noticed
that the rear part of the exhaust will also probably need replacing in the
near future, so where would I go for that? I suspect that Kwik-fit is
probably not the right answer.

Do any of these parts have car equivalents that I could use. I think that
the 5cyl engine is the same as that fitted in Audi cars.

Is there an equivalent of a Haynes type manual for these or do I just give
it to a Volkswagen dealer and let my credit card take the strain?

Any suggestions from fellow DIY'ers would be most welcome.

One other question? Can anyone let me know what sort of fuel consumption I should expect. I don't cane it, but the dealer implied 40+mpg, I am only getting just about 30mpg.

Thanks

Martyn

martynk

Hi,

I'm not getting flooded with responses, but perhaps someone could clarify if a VW T4 is the same beast as a VW 57D?

If so, that would help with spares sourcing.

Cheers

Martyn

Anonymous

Hi Martyn,

not sure I can be huge help as I leave the mechanics to others. However, I also have VW based Royale 550 [1994 - just!] and was told that it was indeed a T4 [although Reg Cert. lists it as Transporter 57 D LWB]. As to MPG, although I haven't done enough miles to make a definitive statement, I would say I manage no more than 30 MPG normally. I presume you are referring to the 2.4 Diesel? Have read comments elsewhere that this VW base wasn't very popular because it was considered underpowered compared to the alternatives. On the other hand, still expect to be getting not great MPG in a couple of hundred thousand miles!

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Derek

martynk

Hi Derek

Thanks for the reply. I have had confirmation from Usenet that the beast is indeed a T4 based motorhome, which will make it considerably easier to source parts.

I have to say, that I agree with the assessment its underpowered. 50mph is OK 55 is pushing it and 60 is never never land unless its a 1in 3 downhill... I suspose hauling 3 tons is a great deal to expect for 75 beeachepee's (55 at the wheels) . Seems strange, but because of this its much happier on the 'A' roads.

I am thinking about a Turbo conversion - adds 20 bhp apparently, but also leaves you £2100 more laden on the old credit card and I probably wouldn't recover it when I came to sell it. Not sure how a 120,000 mile engine would cope with a turbo although it would be much better to drive over the hills.

Anyway - thanks for the reply.

take care and see you around

Martyn

Anonymous

hi martyn, i have a auto-sleeper clubman on a vw t4 2.4d i regulary get 30 mpg, i think your salesman was telling porkies had my van nine years only known people get less than this never more, as for speed it's no ball of fire but will cruise at 80mph (on the continent of course)
pete

martynk

Hi Pete

thanks for the reply. I bought the camper from Spinney. They are very local to me, but I have to admit that I wasn't especially impressed with quality of sales staff. They let me down in several areas. I admit, I wasn't spending £50k on a shiney new one, I was definitely entry level at £10k (but still a hell of a lot to me), but they really messed me about - not returning calls - and eventually stinging me for additional costs after we agreed the purchase price. I won't be buying my next van from them:evil:. {end of rant}.

I'm happy with 30mpg - I got that last weekend after a trip into North Wales, but I definitely cannot get much above 55mph! Even the manual said that flat out for the original van was 80 mph. I actually wondered whether the gearing had been altered, 1st is so low I can easily wheel spin it whilst 5th seems more like an overdrive. I'm tempted to stick a tachometer in to see what the engine revs are really like.

Cheers

Martyn

Anonymous

Hi Martyn,

all other things being equal, my 550 will sit comfortably at 60 on the motorway and I've had it clocking 65 without running out - even if I tend to stick to 55 just to keep the mpg up. On the other hand, pulling away is OK but definitely no threat of wheelspin. Certainly sounds a different set-up from yours.

All the best,
Derek

calypso

we use to have the 2.4d engine, and with a coachbuilt it is a bit sluggish, any thing over 30mpg is good, treat with a light foot and take time getting there and enjoy views or sell it and buy a sports car rush about and see nought. as for parts try europarts at fifth avenue traffordpark manchester, lot cheaper than main stealers. any mechanic will fix rear hubs no problem. after three years with 2.4d we traded up to a 2.5 td and it has transformed the van (same body) the problem is the overcab tends to hold the van back a low profile made a difference.