VW T5 'Restoration' Ep18 Refitting Cylinder Head 1.9 TDI AXB Transporter Pressurised Coolant

[@grahamwhiting6567]

Im not convinced there's any problem with the cold radiator. Engines do not generate that much heat on tickover and T5 have a very efficient radiator and cooling system, to handle much hotter climates than UK. Best way is to drive it normally for about 30 minutes, checking that all is ok with the coolant system visually, once or twice. The rad fans on my T5 2.5 would not come on at all for short or light load trips.

[@imapadlock]

I agree, it takes ages for any Diesel engine to warm up, and they have to be under load. Just on tickover it will never get warm enough? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aleksanderk359]

I agree with this!

[@polderfischer8565]

I never heard my fan in normal road use. The TDI will not get hot enough on idle i think.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes appears that they don't get very hot on tickover. Took it for a good run and everything was as it should be.

[@peterharrison2630]

So glad you mentioned getting the old engine oil out of the head bolt thread holes, very important for the reason you mentioned that they would hydraulic and you wouldn't get the correct torque on them. Another great video !

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Such an important easily overlooked step.

[@stuart7523]

I do enjoy these videos but there is no way on earth im ever getting to the point where I think "I'm going to take the head off my van". Complete admiration, fair play mate.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! It isn't that big of a job to be fair, I actually enjoyed it! It can be scary/off putting but just follow the process and it should be OK.

[@tommysutton9361]

So good to watch a youtube channel where cars are actually being fixed. Rather than most that just chuck money at them to get a bhp figure then they blow up.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣 I know what you mean! I genuinely have no idea where this channel will go next though...

[@davidjames89]

Great work Dan, well done on a good job. Like the previous comments, I don't think there's a problem there now - take the ol' girl for a run, get it under load, generating proper heat. The rad will heat up then! On your return, leave it to sit overnight with the exp. cap off and top up the coolant in the morning, job done!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes! I did exactly this. All works as should now!

[@wilsonisme1]

Nice couple of videos. In a similar position myself have some experience with these engines going wrong and working on them just been to see Richard at Ward as he is local to me and hopefully can sort out my head for my caddy van 2.0 sdi. Keep up the good work.

[@T8RTU]

Well done Dan, great work. Fingers crossed for sorting out the last little thing on the temperature issue, the engine is on the home stretch for sure, when you’re going through hell keep going, no one wants to stay there! 😎👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! All sorted Thankfully!

[@leighpritchard8363]

Great videos mate, going through exactly the same as you with my T5 axc, taking the head off Thursday. Just one point for you these do take an awful long time for the stats to open and let the coolant flow through the bottom hose I can pretty much guarantee you fixed all the issues. Keep going Dan

[@aditopley9323]

Another great episode Dan. Nice and informative, highlights the pitfalls of the 1-9 engine. You must have the patience of a saint the amount of times the coolants been in and out of it! Looking forward to the next one!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! So glad you are enjoying them. I really don't! I don't know how I kept my cool!!!

[@benjones9808]

Well done ,what a relief for you once she fired up, always a will she of won't she, been in your shoe's before, happy day's (other than the thermostat) but light at the end of the tunnel, Cheer's

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Alway's a twitchy bum moment!

[@timsinclair2195]

Possible still a very slight air lock engines don't tend to get up to the correct temperature on tick over if it was me I'd give it a blast up the road get the coolant circulating correctly then check the level and see if you get heat to both sides of the radiator before dropping all coolant etc again, you have covered everything and its great to see it all done properly great work 👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Took it for a long run and all now works as it should.

[@christeece-millington1641]

Congratulations head problem sorted Enjoying your videos looking forward to the next.👍👍👍.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@markcooper1953]

I am no expert but I am so interested in the problem solving process and convinced this will be useful to many, but I am so into how you look to solve the issues and convinced that the confidence you exude will be valuable to T5 owners... look forward to you new vids

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you so much for watching and for the comment! So glad people are enjoying watching the videos!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

That radiator will be on okay. Your thermostat for the fan needs to be on a top hose coming from the engine . Hot water should go into the top of the radiator and cold come out the bottom then back to the engine. Get a cup of hot water to test you thermostat if you have the fan connected it should start with the ignition on. I have a LT35 2.5 and these engine do run fairly cool. I have fitted a SPAL fan as the viscous fan was removed by a previous owner... apparently it’s a popular thing in central/northern Europe. Not so good in southern Spain though, 45 degrees C at Córdoba. It didn’t overheat even then.. although I was ‘bricking it’. Well done so far you have ticked all the boxes on this project..

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I took the van for a drive and all now works as it should do.

[@OAPMrTickle]

Good job Dan

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@ChrisBornman-tv9co]

Hi Dan. Many thanks for the great efforts you put in producing the videos. I still have an issue on my T5 where I replaced the Thermostat, water pump, cambelt, expansion tank, injectors, and now am considering to replace the radiator and doing the head. My symptoms are that the coolant temp rises above 90 on uphills and higher load conditions. I actually took the car to a well known and reputable radiator service centre and they test for gas in the coolant. None found which should mean that my gasket is serviceable. Why have you not done such a test? Maybe because you in any case wanted to show us the process of fixing the head? Any case I am also suspecting the temp sensor because it could be that it is not calibrated any more and shows a higher value causing panic. You comment please.

[@h12st_d63]

Another great video Dan, love your chilled and and methodical style ... can’t cope with another shouty KZbinr! Echo the comments, don’t rush to drop it again until it’s had a proper run and you’ve put the engine under real world pressures 🤙🏻

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I am just being me, I try not to be too over the top as it can be a little too much. Took It for a drive and all works as it should now.

[@oliverrobinson6502]

I’m not a professional but in my experience a T5 will not get hot enough on idle, need to take it round the block to get the water system flowing. The intercooler and rad are really efficent on the T5’s. I have a 1.9 BRS if its up to 90c running temp and I pull over and leave it too idle the temp will drop back down to about 70. Its probably fine dude 🤞🏻 Nice to see you got a set of clip pliers they are a GAME changer 😂

[@malcolmyoung7866]

On VW clips definitely....

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, It appears to work when revved high on a long run. All works as it should now. The pliers make life so much easier!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Defintley!

[@andrewhillman9632]

I love those VW vans, wish we still had them in the states.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes it is crazy that they don't sell them in the states. was the T4 not very popular?

[@andrewhillman9632]

@@DanChambersDAC No, unfortunately they were just super expensive. The only versions we got were fully loaded and Japanese vans from Toyota and Honda were tough competition, had more features. The US vans from Chrysler were popular and less expensive.

[@jayacourt8282]

Love the commitment to getting this van tip top Dan, great stuff, keep it up 👌🏻

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, Need to get it driving right first! Next owner can do the fun part of converting it.

[@LocksintheCityLtd]

Another interesting vid mate. I’d take the van for a run and give a blast to warm the system up and see if fan and rad work then. Might save you dropping the fluids again. Keep up the content 👍🏻

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Took it for a long run and everything now works as it should.

[@davidkirk9187]

Great work Dan 👍 i have the same axb and your vids give a great insight into sorting the issues with these models thanks ..

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! So glad they are helping and you are enjoying them. Good luck sorting your problems!

[@yeti200sx]

top job bud, i have done a few head gaskets over the years on various cars i have owned and have seen that a few times where it just needed a good drive and then left over night to self bleed. not saying for definite its that but a possibility as well as that the new stat failing, If you get that far put the stat in boiling water and see if it opens.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Took it for a good run and it seemed to sort the issue. Everything works as it should.

[@autodubcrafterconversion9173]

Lol.. realistic events of a head gasket failure and the associated issues that proceed and follow 👏🏻

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, learn something new every video.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@B16GYG]

Good job Dan 👌👍😎

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@martinsavage775]

Great stuff dude👌🏼 massive progress! Theres some interesting comments about the efficient cooling system too. Make sense actually!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Caught up in the moment! Took it for a good run and it all works now.

[@phiropont5568]

I love T5. T5 loves me 3 times a day

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣

[@pcgrey69]

Dan as per the other comments, take it for a good hard run to get things moving round the system

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes! Took it for a run and it drove like a dream!

[@RichardStefanits]

Great vid. These engines do not get too warm when idling, so if you want to get into tempreture, drive it as others say.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, took it for a drive and it all work's as it should do

[@razzledan77]

Nice one Dan. I’d be tempted to give it half n hour on the motorway to let it sort itself. Keep going mate!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes! Took it for a run and it drove like a dream!

[@chrisblay]

Great job on the cylinder head. I’m pretty sure that’s the same 1.9 Diesel engine they put in the T4’s as well. They can go 200,000 miles plus, so should be good for some time now.

[@jasoneldridge4738]

Not the same,T4 had an indirect injection engine with inj pump.This is direct injection PD engine,still good for 400 -500 thousand

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I have seen these early PD engines with circa 500k if they are looked after!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, Should go for a while more now.

[@paulwalker427]

Nicely done, have you tested the thermostat in boiling water then cold to see the change?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! No I never got round to it. All reassembled and working as it should.

[@therushden]

I'd say there's still a small air block in the cooling system. I tried it there's no bleed valves on any pipes or the top of the rad? Take it for an Italian tune up. Give it a thrash up the bypass and see if it gets hot.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Took it for a drive and all works!

[@veritya3]

Nice John innes compost

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣

[@qdawg4033]

As other folk have said, take it for a run and see if it what happens, if the temp gets to 90° and stays there then the jobs a good'n.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Took It for a drive and all works as it should now.

[@denperrydidit]

Just don't think you're going to get it upto temp at idle for the fan to kick in.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Realised that!!! Took it for a drive and works great.

[@StephenHartleyBrundrett]

I use to twat my van all day everyday & I've only ever heard the fan a couple of times. The new vans kick in alot more than the old ones. Hopefully none of you guys drive my old FPS bright green vans 😬🤣🤣

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you so much for watching and for the comment! Yeah I found out now that the fan's don't really kick in! It did kick in after I gave the van a real good thrash though.

[@x21ekx91]

You live a coolant drop dontcha! Haha 👏🏼👏🏼top work mate keep em coming

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣 In, Out, In, Out, In. Aaargh!

[@Section59.]

Upgrade the headbolts, if they're anything like the fabia 1.9s they headlift for fun. ARP headbolts are a must, even on a stock engine, or you'll be replacing that headgasket sooner rather than later! They can be replaced one by one using the removal sequence, so no need for a new gasket or for it all to come off again.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I mentioned upgrading the headbolts to the engineer that did the headwork and he said to not bother.

[@jeffhirst1403]

great vid dan, keep em coming.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@leeverink32]

He is right if you torque the headbolts with out cleaning the threads inside and there is oil or coolant you could get an hydraulick lock and if you did not torque it to the first second or third state you could crack the block so be carefull

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you so much for watching and for the comment! Something so simple that could easily be over looked and cause problems instantly!

[@kapitantripps]

Another great vid, top spannering 👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@philfire76]

Another cracking episode!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@andrewgilks172]

Having the same problems as you m8 done water pump. Thermostat. System flush. Still the same .also had a cylinder head gas leak done. But still bottom hose cold .and when asked to go up a hill she drops her guts. Did doing the head gasket fix your problems.....thanks

[@Divocwax]

Same van as I have t5 with axb tdi engine. Well done Dan. Anyone know how I can take off the valve cover without moving the inlet manifold? I'm told there's one bolt not easy to get at. My goal is to inspect and replace the crankcase pressure regulating valve "thing". I suspect it's not venting properly and is gummed up with goo.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you so much for watching and for your comment Bud. I think the rocker cover comes off pretty easily without removing the inlet manifold?

[@tiltedgacha204]

Well done bud👍🏼👍🏼

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@francesrowe5970]

Great videos mate really helpful and just nice to see a normal bloke going at job like this will help a lot of people im sure has given me that bit of extra confidence to pull the head of mine.. Shes spun a bearing so might not be a success anyway but il give it a shot.. Any chance you could give a rough idea what it cost for the work on the head and gasket? And did it advise you to use new headbolts? And how has it been over time? Thanks

[@DanChambersDAC]

Cheers bud! I think the head work was about £550 from memory. Sure I mention it in a video. Yes use new head bolts. As far as I am aware it has been Ok. I sold the van a few weeks after I finished it.

[@justinroberts73]

Pick the revs up to get cooling system up to full temp. You'll probably find the circulation is lower on idle.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, took it for a drive and it all work's as it should do.

[@janhatton4405]

Enjoying the vids, thanks. I'm not sure why you need to shim the head gasket though as the combustion chamber is in the cylinders and you have only skimmed a flat surface. Which is still flat. Won't this just reduce compression? Unless the valve clearance is really tight?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! The valves are very close to the pistons. Wards know their stuff and I took his advice on it all. The pistons come slightly above the block at TDC too.

[@davenaylor8076]

Do you have any diagnostic equipment? Should be able to command the fan on through that. You would then know the wiring was ok, as you've already applied current direct to the motor. If you've got one that can show data in real time, you could monitor the engine temp through that. You'd then know what temp the engine was achieving and whether the stat should have opened and the fan kicked in.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Unfortunately I don't have any diagnostic equipment. Just some basic tools really. I took the van for a good drive and the fan kicked in.

[@otraola2020]

My head has been skimmed and I’m ready to refit. I set everything in TDC before I removed. I’m confused as to how you managed to move the pistons to halfway, wasn’t it locked out still? Can you explain plz

[@johnlad1481]

Nice job on the van bud its annoying when it's one thing after the other 👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, It was getting a little tedious!

[@nikkicoppens7504]

whats the difference between 1.9 axc axb and brr brs?? because I fitted an axc turbo on an brr

[@toca.esme_vibess]

How hard was it getting to the manifold bolts, also did you take the front pipe off

[@DanChambersDAC]

I can't overly remember sorry. It was nearly 2 years ago.

[@matth1210]

Drive it for 10 miles or so I've never heard my fan unless I have ac on. You can get a real feel for it then

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, Drove it and all work's as it should!

[@robc5955]

Like others have said, drive it - those 1.9tdis will never reach temp at idle from cold. I’ve been through a similar scenario and in the end I just needed to drive it for 10 miles then let it sit at idle.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Took It for a drive and all works as it should now.

[@ian_morg]

Great video as always, glad to see you've fixed the big problem 😎👍🏼 Question for ya, the EGR valve.. is it the big silver tophat looking bit or the ball/ lever at the back of the egr housing?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! The EGR on this early engine is the top hat looking unit, Well the part below it too. sImple to remove and clean.

[@julianheath8866]

Did you have to prime the injectors before you started your van up and if so how? Just re-assembled my T5 after having the head off and it just won't start

[@DanChambersDAC]

Sorry for slow reply. Yes I cracked the injector nut and cranked the engine until diesel wept out, then tightened them up. Did that for each cylinder and it fired up.

[@adlinsell]

Phew... 🤞 job done. Would be interested to know how it feels on a good run and how you get on with the bottom hose being cold

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Felt great when driving, Bottom hose got hot and fan kicked in too!

[@carringtonp1977]

Dan could i ask how did the van pull whilst it had failed? Mine pulls like the brakes are stuck on! Same AXB Engine 100bhp?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! It drove quite well tbh, Is yours boosting or not?

[@carringtonp1977]

Yes its boosting as I can hear the turbo spool up. BUT with the air pushing into the header I took the plunge to take the head off. Exactly the same as yours, 2nd from left blowing into water jacket. Got a mates 130 head going in it when the head kit comes.

[@carringtonp1977]

Might put a new MAF sensor on it whilst I'm doing.

[@125sm3]

Take for a spin, very difficult to get temperature just on idle alone.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Took it for a drive and it works as it should.

[@barryjackson8512]

Good job done well 👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@jimbax1]

Might be faulty water pump impeller! very common on t5s doesn't always leak!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I replaced the water pump when I did the cambelt. Took it for a drive and everything works.

[@craigthompson1794]

Top job

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@russellscott1151]

Given that the head and block meet with gasket, how come you only skim the head and not the block as well? I presumed skimming was to give you a smooth flat surface for the gasket? Great job dan, enjoying the channel.

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! The Block is made from cast iron and the head from aluminium. The block is a lot harder metal compared to the head so the block is less likely to warp or distort. The aluminium head can warp ever so slightly to cause these issues.

[@russellscott1151]

Thanks dan for the reply. Interesting to know.

[@Stu_Gilbert]

I think you should get sponsored by engine coolant 🤣🤣🤣

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣 Would have saved me a fortune!

[@agimihadza1005]

I have my 1.9tdi 2008 t5 Has oil In the coolant Do you know the reason

[@coreywingrove458]

modern stats work in reverse so it wont get up to temp , check it in a cup of boiling water

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! I took it for a drive and it all now works.

[@StevenHandDH]

How much did it cost to fully restore the T5?

[@kevinrobinson5640]

Quality video 👌

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@FantasticCraptacular]

I thought you’re not meant to skim a PD head? Something to do with the coating on the surface

[@Cha053ngine]

what did the work on the head cost?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Hi, I think it was around £550.

[@Cha053ngine]

@@DanChambersDAC thanks for replying. That's pretty decent. My 2.5l is leaking oil. If it needs anything I'll take it to those guys. Cheers again

[@carrera010]

Any updates

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Drove the van and all is at temp, Working as it should.

[@davidbrown5791]

Drive it to get it up to temp. Diesels don't get that hot on idle

[@Me-lf5oj]

Hi Dan I just bumped in to this channel, what happened with van life channel I haven't seen any new videos ?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! We still have it, We haven't been anywhere or done anything so didn't want to force content like some channels have been. we have just had a few day's away that we intended on filming but in the end we just enjoyed being away! We will get some content on there soon though.

[@benjaminmellingen5340]

I would take it for a drive and see if it was still cold

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, Drove it and all work's as it should!

[@pault5.143]

Dan please do not fix the van we will have nothing to watch, No keep the videos coming love watching them 👍

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣 Sorry! I am currently on the look out for another project.

[@paddrivers]

Give it a proper run the engine doesn't get hot enough on idle .

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, Drove it and all now works.

[@andrewjackson5741]

No one likes a ‘I’m gonna have to take this back out to put it back in’ moment 😂

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! 🤣 Infuriating.

[@andrewjackson5741]

Pleasure! great content, hope you keep it up 👍🏻

[@Stillbusy105]

That coolant bottle is filthy. Use some spirits of salts & it'll come back like new!!

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment. Unfortunately I sold the van a while ago!

[@abodeless]

💙

[@benbailey4164]

Don't run the heaters when testing temperature

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Took it for a drive and everything work's as it should do.

[@phiropont5568]

Is AXB similar to AXC?

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, AXB & AXC are similar.

[@bobbobby5724]

Take it for a run

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yup, took it for a drive and it all work's as it should do

[@vwtransportersandmotorcycl3729]

I bet you spent a fortune in coolant mate🙈

[@daibennett9224]

I hate it wen I’m right lol

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!

[@track6631]

Love the vids, VW are clearly shite tho 😂😂😂

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! TBF It is a 14 year old ex builders van that hasn't been looked after with 158K on the clock. It was to be expected.

[@anonymous7192]

An ad every 4 mins

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment! Yes, my mistake. wrong setting.

[@robnewton31]

1st

[@DanChambersDAC]

Thank you for watching and for the comment!