2012 SWB Bike Hauler

[The_White_Van_Man]

Hi guys

I bought this SWB 1.6 tdi a few weeks back with the intention of turning it into a bike hauler. I've been lurking about looking for inspiration and I've a few ideas floating around in my head to how I want to do it now.

But to start with, a couple of pictures of how it looks now.



And a bit of maintenance.


Unbelievably that made no banging or clunking when driving but had loads of play.

[The_White_Van_Man]

First mods have already happened MFSW and cruise retrofit. I've got some highline clocks to fit as well at some point, that should be plug and play thanks to Nikki at Twinsport for swapping over the immobiliser codes etc.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

[The_White_Van_Man]

Well the 1.6 tdi has been reliable..... until late. I've been enjoying some cheap motoring, putting some miles on doing a lot of mountain biking trips which is the main reason I bought it.

But back in November, the injectors reared their ugly heads. Injector 2 starting leaking, so replacements were sought (I decided to replace 1 and 2 to eliminate having to take them out again, as number 1 to my knowledge hadn't be changed. Some ominous foreshadowing right there) . Luckily it came out without a fight. All was sweet for a couple of weeks when, whilst defrosting the windscreen it started running rough. The new injector in number 2 developed an electrical fault. So the old working injector from cylinder 1 was chucked back in.
Again all running sweet until the oil pressure light came on the dash tonight and the dreaded knock of uncle rodney could be heard.

Now is decision time. Do I....
A) Find a replacement 1.6 tdi
B) Fit a 2.0 tdi
C) Go for a petrol swap

Buy a Caddy they said......

[BB13]

Sounds like you are having a bit of a nightmare, I went tfsi with my 1.6 for that reason lol

[The_White_Van_Man]

A bit is an understatement I hate the van now just because of the engine.

I'm tempted by the TFSI but I'm not sure I want to invest the time and money into one, as I know as soon as I do it'll open the door to other mods which will mean other cars will get neglected.

[BB13]

Haha just do it! You only live once give us a shout if you need any help or need a tfsi conversion

[The_White_Van_Man]

Haha just do it! You only live once give us a shout if you need any help or need a tfsi conversion

Very true! Did you do the conversion yourself? I'm just waiting on approval for the rest of the forum so I can get some more info on what's needed.

[Handyandy]

I just swapped my knackered 1.6tdi for another low mileage 1.6tdi purely for the cost and simplicity of one out and one in a 2.0tdi did cross my mind but sourcing a decent low mileage one quickly I thought might be hard to find (but I never looked) a tfsi conversion would be very nice but way out of my capabilities especially electrics so never went down that road
The deciding factor for me was as I use the van every day for work I needed it back on the road as quickly as possible
So it's down to your decision what you can afford and how quickly you need the van back on the road

[The_White_Van_Man]

I just swapped my knackered 1.6tdi for another low mileage 1.6tdi purely for the cost and simplicity of one out and one in a 2.0tdi did cross my mind but sourcing a decent low mileage one quickly I thought might be hard to find (but I never looked) a tfsi conversion would be very nice but way out of my capabilities especially electrics so never went down that road
The deciding factor for me was as I use the van every day for work I needed it back on the road as quickly as possible
So it's down to your decision what you can afford and how quickly you need the van back on the road

I need to do more research on the 2.0tdi conversion, but it does seem from google searching it's not often done. I'm guessing because most people want to go the tfsi route. Hopefully once I have access some more info will be opened up on this forum.
I'm much the same with electrics, I could probably figure it out but it would mean the van being off the road for some time. Which isn't a huge problem as I have access to other vehicles.
Simplicity wise another 1.6 would make sense, but I don't want a repeat of what is happening now. Hence the exploration of other engine options.

[Handyandy]

The 2.0tdi is a much better engine than the 1.6tdi and I don't think there would be too many electrical changes but not sure someone else on here with more knowledge might point you in the right direction

[BB13]

Very true! Did you do the conversion yourself? I'm just waiting on approval for the rest of the forum so I can get some more info on what's needed.

I did fella, done a fair few now too.

[The_White_Van_Man]

I did fella, done a fair few now too.

Ah cool, I'll have to give you a shout. I'm pretty much set on a tfsi conversion. I'm still waiting on approval

[BB13]

Yea no problem fella, can find me in IG if you use it @ Tfsicaddy