Here it is: http://i.imgur.com/MO6n5VV.jpg
It's from 94 and it is a 2.5D banana engine and I've got a bunch of things that I'd like to improve or fix. From my head, here's the list of future tasks:
-Power steering conversion;
-My blower motor only works in Max Speed;
-I want to improve it's perfomance;
-Normal maintenance;
-The exhaust is touching the long bars and making a lot of noise;
-It has a lot of rust...
-It is quite unstable and not very fast...
-I'd like to make it more silent on the inside.
So, by parts: the van is (according to the plate on the passenger door footwell), a type EFBEHL model 100L. The engine is a 4DA. Last year I improved it's performance *hugely* by giving it 1.5turns on the injection pump. This year, I am thinking of going the extra 0.5 turns, removing the throttle butterfly and maybe blanking the EGR (although this point is something I need to think about because I don't want to ruin our health as a whole). This increase in the diesel pump allowed me to get better mileage! It went from around 10L/100Km to 8.8L/100Km. With the current diesel prices in Portugal, how I would like to get it even lower! I also tried to make it more silent by applying some kind of noise-proofing material but without much success because the material was not appropriate at all. If I do it again, I'll need to spend more money on it.
Power Steering
Our main "problem" with the van at the moment is the fact that it is a manual steering. It keeps us fit but it is also tiring as hell. I've read in several places on this forum (great resource) that the conversion is possible but I still have some doubts.
I think that our steering at the moment is a "rack" one. Here's one picture of the underside of the van:
https://i.imgur.com/et32fkJ.jpg
Am I right?
If so, all I need is:
-Power steering pump + support;
-Power steering reservoir;
-Power steering rack with tubing.
Am I right or do I need something else? Also: this is a rather simple job, isn't it? I was quoted 200€ for all the parts from a parts van.
Blower motor
I think that the speed controller resistor must be burnt but I cannot find it. I looked attached to the blower but it is not there? Where should it be?
Improving performance + normal maintenance
Well, as I've said, I want to give the diesel pump an extra 0.5turns, remove the throttle butterfly and maybe remove the EGR. I also thought about giving it a valve adjustment. I read somewhere that it was needed every 20000miles so it's more than time. Do any of you have a good guide on how to do it? I'll have to research. Also: I will change the motor oil, the air filter and fuel filter. I tried to change the last last year but for some reason I could not do it. Live and learn...
Exhaust
Well, two years ago the exhaust broke before the muffler. It was noisy but...
let me tell you, this engine sounds good! Upon fixing it maybe it was welded a bit to the side or it has moved in the meantime. I'll have to check what is it because it knocks on the long bars on the base of the van and it makes a lot of noise.Rust
I don't know how to solve this yet. Do you have any ideas??
Making it faster and more stable
Well, for making it faster I have already written what I should to. At the moment the van reaches 100km/h (60mph) but not much more than that. I also have to say that it is quite unstable. On one hand, I think that it is normal because it measures 3.3 meters tall and it is more or less of a brick as far as aerodynamics goes. But... I think that this should be improved because it seems a bit unsafe. Should I replace the leaf springs or converting it to other ones? What should I verify to see if the van is performing top notch in these terms?
Making it more silent on the inside
Well, last year I purchase a type of rubber and floating floor insulating stuff and tried to make it more silent. I don't think it made much difference because the increase in mass was minimal. I am thinking about purchasing roof insulating material (that black sticky stuff, almost like what there is on the roads) to achieve this end. I know that there are better alternatives (like Dynamat) that are thicker and best at performing this function but It is rather expensive where that think I talked about costs 50€ for a roll of 1X 10meters. I'd like to apply this to the engine bay (that with time, lost all of its insulation) but I'm affraid it does not support such high temperatures. Also, I know that on the inside it will smell at the beggining but that as time proceeds, it looses such smell. Anyone with experience on this around?
Well, I think that's it! I really like this van, the torque it has and how reliable it is
Thanks!
