Engine Maintenance & Care Guide
We proudly supply reconditioned engines from The VW Engine Company - here is their advice on keeping your engine running sweet!
Firstly, good maintenance of these engines is critical to their longevity.
Initially a 500 mile running in period must be carried out with a maximum speed of 50-55mph. The vehicle does not need to be softly driven, merely driven through the gears without over revving the engine.
At or around 500 miles a service should be carried out including but not limited to:
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Visual inspection
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Checking of fan belt tension and cooling system
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Tapper re-adjustment (for manual tappet engines only)
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Timing and carburation check
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Checking of contact points (if fitted)
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Oil / filter change
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New sump and rocker cover gaskets should be used during this process
After this we recommend an annual service, or every 3000 miles. Of course, it is sensible if you are planning a large trip to do this in advance and carry some basic spare parts.
Regularly check your fuel filter, fan belt tension and oil level (and coolant level for watercooled engines). It is advisable to become familiar with your own engine, should something not feel right, have it checked immediately; do not allow a small problem to become a large problem.
Please inform yourself of our warranty document which is available on our website or request a copy.
E10 Fuel & Your Classic Volkswagen
We are receiving a lot of questions about the impact that E10 fuel may have on your classic car and whilst we don’t have all the answers just yet we’d like to reassure you that we will be continuing to use E5 Super Unleaded in all customer’s vehicles for as long as it is available (until 2025 under current legislation).
It is important to note that we are not fuel experts and encourage you to do your own research and reading on the subject but we have found the below information from The VW Engine Company to be useful:
“To date we are receiving no evidence or information from component manufacturers that E10 will create any adverse impacts to our product directly. However, clearly the question should be more directed towards ancillaries such as carburettor needle valves, fuel hoses etc. These are known to be impacted by ethanol (including the current E5) and this can create issues for your engines. These issues are beyond the control of the engine manufacturer.
For example, ethanol is corrosive to brass and a weakened/ failed brass carburettor needle valve can allow excessive fuel into the engine which can cause the engine's oil to lose viscosity. Excessive internal fuel can also lead to rubber items such as push rod tube rubbers and oil seals to deteriorate.
E10 is not something to be afraid of. It should be something that as a classic car owner you are aware of and take simple steps to minimise the impact. Educate yourself and exercise your own diligence in terms of awareness and maintenance.
In conclusion, we recommend sticking with the E5 fuel whilst it is still available, driving the vehicle regularly to keep the ethanol / fuel agitated, and also using an ethanol inhibitor additive when filling your tank. These are the best ways currently available to minimise risk of ethanol concerns.”
Updated info from The VW Engine Company
Extremely Important Notice: The Great Ethanol Debate
Ethanol is corrosive not just to your fuel lines but also to some metal parts, specifically brass. Your carburettor will have brass needle valves.
We urge every classic car owner to educate themselves on the potential issues with modern fuel. Failure to act can have severe consequences to your engine’s longevity.
This engine is produced to run with standard unleaded fuel. However, high ethanol levels in modern fuel can corrode brass carburettor needle valves causing them to leak fuel inside the engine.
Fuel mixing with oil will reduce the engine’s lubrication causing accelerated wear to bearing surfaces and in significant cases lead to engine seizure.
There are some simple ways of minimising this problem:
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Using a good quality ethanol inhibitor additive regularly to your fuel tank.
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Using the vehicle regularly to reagitate the mixture in the tank, and flush carburettors of separated fuel / ethanol.
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Regularly check and replace your oil, even if the vehicle is stored or has been standing for some time.