General 1992 Fiat Ducato 1900cc Diesel Turbo Engine fix or replacement

[Bob12]

Hi all. I’m looking for advice on a company that can replace the engine in the title with a refurbed engine or refurb the engine currently in it. It is in my Campervan and the timing belt broke on it with any associated damage this may have done. I know next to nothing about mechanics and banging my head off a brick wall calling a lot of random places with no progress. I am in Scotland but I suppose anywhere in the uk would be fine. Thank you in advance if anyone can point me in the right direction. Also first time on a forum and I hope I have posted this in the correct place.

 

[bugsymike]

Hi all. I’m looking for advice on a company that can replace the engine in the title with a refurbed engine or refurb the engine currently in it. It is in my Campervan and the timing belt broke on it with any associated damage this may have done. I know next to nothing about mechanics and banging my head off a brick wall calling a lot of random places with no progress. I am in Scotland but I suppose anywhere in the uk would be fine. Thank you in advance if anyone can point me in the right direction. Also first time on a forum and I hope I have posted this in the correct place.

Depending on engine serial number it may be Peugeot based which might give you more options.

 

[Bob12]

Thank you, I’ll have a look. Really no idea what to do

 

[bugsymike]

Thank you, I’ll have a look. Really no idea what to do

You may find the engine series number on the chassis Vin plate, also check V5c Log book for engine size as 1905cc could be DHX engine on newer models but the older ones could be 149B.000 if non turbo1929cc or 280 A1.000 1929cc if Turbo version.
These are some versions, others here on Forum may have more details. A photo of engine may also guide us.
As I said though if you can identify the Engine Series and it was used in other makes it may give you options.

 

[Bob12]

Hi folks, thanks for feedback. I’m just about to give up on finding a refurbed engine . My current engine is beyond affordable repair. So replacement only option.

 

[bugsymike]

The second photo you gave is the engine series number 280A1.000. Which according to my AutoData Manual is 1929cc OHC 82hp Turbo Engine fitted to the First Generation of Fiat Ducatos 1987-1994.
As far as I can see it was only used in that generation of Fiat Ducato vehicles which limits the chances of finding a good second hand one.
Maybe other Forum Members have more specific knowledge on this engine.
What is exactly wrong with yours?
There are companies advertising reconditioning, but always hard to find a good one in my experience.
Which is why apart from crankshaft grinding, reboring cylinders and head skimming I preferred to rebuild my own in the past.

 

[varesecrazy]

It was in the tipo and Tempra FIAT cars of that era

They are long gone..

So, what does the. Motor need?

 

[bugsymike]

It was in the tipo and Tempra FIAT cars of that era

They are long gone..

So, what does the. Motor need?

I stand to be corrected but according to the Auto Data of that era on the several pages it appeared to be the 160 A6.000, 160 A7.000,160 D1.000 rather than the 280A1.000 OP has on Vin plate, although they do share 1929cc so maybe some similarities.
What may be interesting is knowing if the engine block from later diesels will mate with OPs gearbox?
OP hasn't got back yet with what his engine needs, which may be his only option.
My last photo is of his engine series, only used in one column of manual.

 

[varesecrazy]

I stand to be corrected but according to the Auto Data of that era on the several pages it appeared to be the 160 A6.000, 160 A7.000,160 D1.000 rather than the 280A1.000 OP has on Vin plate, although they do share 1929cc so maybe some similarities.
What may be interesting is knowing if the engine block from later diesels will mate with OPs gearbox?
OP hasn't got back yet with what his engine needs, which may be his only option.
My last photo is of his engine series, only used in one column of manual.

You may well be CORRECT..

The direct Car successor were the TD and JTD (multijet.) , Of 1910cc IIRC

The Multijet were far nicer..
Less "Agricultural", but didn't have the punch (despite the peak power Being rated lower)

For longevity

It Could be worth spending time and money going for a far more modern motor, but of course the Common Rail is far more complex,
but there should be ways of running a "pre-canbus" arrangement with the loom and clock inputs from a donor vehicle

 

[Bob12]

Thanks again guys. Any ideas of who to contact to try find a replacement engine this is my last few days at it before having to get the van uplifted. I’ve exhausted all avenues that I know of with no success (granted I don’t know the first thing about vans/cars). Failing that any pointers of where to sell a van without an engine would be helpful. The van was valued at £7995 before engine failure. Thanks again

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks again guys. Any ideas of who to contact to try find a replacement engine this is my last few days at it before having to get the van uplifted. I’ve exhausted all avenues that I know of with no success (granted I don’t know the first thing about vans/cars). Failing that any pointers of where to sell a van without an engine would be helpful. The van was valued at £7995 before engine failure. Thanks again

You never replied to the query as to the original problem with engine.
There are people/companies online who offer to rebuild engines, something in the past most garages could do and staff were all apprentice trained to strip and rebuild engines, gearboxes back axles etc. Plus most everything else.
I would have thought getting it running is going to make a large difference to the selling price, personally though people dream on values, most non runners are lucky to clear £1000.
Maybe others here can value better.

 

[varesecrazy]

There is a specialist motorhome breaker in the Southwest..

Dorset /Weymouth I believe

They may have the contacts.. If not the parts

 

[Intergalactic Ow Ow]

Hi Bob, this thread caught my eye because I have a Talbot Express which is essentially the same thing as is the Peugeot J5. Have you been on the Talbot Express Owners club website? ww.talbotoc.com (the home page actually says how Fiat Ducato mk1 members are welcome ) anyway I know for a fact there are a fair few Scottish members on there so there is likely someone who can either do the work or certainly point you in the right direction.

I am not a mechanic either but I have been told the engines are so basic that if a belt snaps on these then you normally only need to replace some things called push rods, it's not normally game over for the whole thing. Mines a 2.5 Diesel.

Talbotoc.com is the website anyway.
Hope that helps?

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi Bob, this thread caught my eye because I have a Talbot Express which is essentially the same thing as is the Peugeot J5. Have you been on the Talbot Express Owners club website? ww.talbotoc.com (the home page actually says how Fiat Ducato mk1 members are welcome ) anyway I know for a fact there are a fair few Scottish members on there so there is likely someone who can either do the work or certainly point you in the right direction.

I am not a mechanic either but I have been told the engines are so basic that if a belt snaps on these then you normally only need to replace some things called push rods, it's not normally game over for the whole thing. Mines a 2.5 Diesel.

Talbotoc.com is the website anyway.
Hope that helps?

Push rods maybe on petrol engine not on diesel engine

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi Bob, this thread caught my eye because I have a Talbot Express which is essentially the same thing as is the Peugeot J5. Have you been on the Talbot Express Owners club website? ww.talbotoc.com (the home page actually says how Fiat Ducato mk1 members are welcome ) anyway I know for a fact there are a fair few Scottish members on there so there is likely someone who can either do the work or certainly point you in the right direction.

I am not a mechanic either but I have been told the engines are so basic that if a belt snaps on these then you normally only need to replace some things called push rods, it's not normally game over for the whole thing. Mines a 2.5 Diesel.

Talbotoc.com is the website anyway.
Hope that helps?

Do not neglect your belt

 

[Bob12]

Thanks again for reply’s.

Sorry bugsy, the aa clown wrongly told me it was the belt/chain. I eventually found a Glasgow garage who uplifted it for me (without seeing it) saying that they could sort that problem probably with a partial rebuild. All good I thought, at last. On inspection a few days ago it turns out the timing belt is fine and it was a seizure due to no oil getting through to the engine and the whole engine block etc is seized. Would require approx £5.5k to refurb source parts etc

 

[bugsymike]

Thanks again for reply’s.

Sorry bugsy, the aa clown wrongly told me it was the belt/chain. I eventually found a Glasgow garage who uplifted it for me (without seeing it) saying that they could sort that problem probably with a partial rebuild. All good I thought, at last. On inspection a few days ago it turns out the timing belt is fine and it was a seizure due to no oil getting through to the engine and the whole engine block etc is seized. Would require approx £5.5k to refurb source parts etc

Ouch!
I would expect a factory new engine with 12 months warranty for that sort of money.
A few years ago I bought a Iveco Daily 2.3 extended long wheel base parcel van from an auction , included with the paperwork was an invoice for £5000 from the Iveco Dealers for a brand new engine including fitting and oils etc.
I paid £1200 including Vat approx. for the whole van.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks again for reply’s.

No problem.. We are trying to help..

On inspection a few days ago it turns out the timing belt is fine and it was a seizure due to no oil getting through to the engine and the whole engine block etc is seized. Would require approx £5.5k to refurb source parts etc

If you DO NOTHING, you are losing £6k

£1000 for an £8000 van

It's a tough call, but worth trying to salvage Something from this

Siezing a Diesel is a rare thing..

I drove mine with no oil circulating for a few Hundred miles
( accident Damage..)

It did hundreds of thousands of miles after.. You were unlucky

Speak to a supplier.. Check what is actually available

 

[Bob12]

My uneducated thinking (I didn’t even know what an engine block or timing belt was prior to this) was it can’t be that difficult getting a replacement engine. Wrong

 

[Intergalactic Ow Ow]

Hmm.. I would see about getting a detailed breakdown / quote for exactly what is included in all that, whilst the labour is always the lions share of the cost involved in these things it would be worth getting the details for comparison purposes so that you know you are not being taken for a ride too much. Also, you may be able to source parts cheaper than their supplier. Cheaper doesn't always mean better obviously but I've learnt over the years that a third party £19.99 ignition barrel new off eBay is just as good as £89.99 one from coastal motorhomes. A compatible air filter from euro car parts for £29.99 is just as good as what the garage "sources" for £129.99 also you didn't even ask anyone to oil your door hinges with WD40 for £40 etc

As I say, the labour is usually the lions share so they shouldn't have any problem with you sourcing parts.

Your saving on a big job 'could' be significant.