Type 2 Detectives

Best quality parts from t2d. Some parts fitted on my buses for many years now. Perfectly engineered and proven to last. Always had the best customer service and sound advice too from very professional and friendly staff. Thank you t2d.

A winters tale of woe , or my story of getting the experts to do it!
caveat emptor

Brief history. (And this is the brief version!)

I went along for their one to one health check on my cab (Spud), with an engineer, Mark. Really good and knowledgeable, and for me a great day.

Received a list of the faults we found, with prices, and decided for them to do all the work.

I had booked Spud in six weeks before the boot camp, which I was booked in for, giving enough time for the work to be done.

Two days before attending the boot camp (And collecting as arranged), had a call asking ‘as the engine was out did I want it serviced?’ Which to me implies they had only just started the work?

After the boot camp. (Which was a good day by the way)
I drove off, got barely a mile when car lost all power after progressively having loss of power. Pulled up and after a minute or two it started again and limped back to the garage.
This happened twice more, each time I covered less distance, after they fiddled with the engine. (One time saying ‘new distributors don’t get seated properly’ and proceeded to put a piece of wood on it and hit it with a hammer!)
I left Spud with them.
The reason, they said, was corrosion from the fuel tank blocking fuel to engine and a new fuel tank needed.
They had had the tank out to fit all new fuel lines. Told at the one to one that tank would be checked. Didn’t they see it then?!

Went and collected it.
On the way home I found oil in engine bay.

The steering was still very slack. Which they said had been sorted, but to be on the safe side to have an MOT done and check the steering??

Give them their due they came and collected Spud to sort it out.
When ready they said :-
‘They had adjusted up the box’ and replaced a track rod. (One was done with the initial work )
Replaced cracked fuel pump pedestal (Flange) which was cracked and cause of oil leak.

They fitted new fuel pump flange.
I found the end of the original broken off in engine, common problem. But it was left in and the new one had the end ground off!! See pic. It had always been cracked but dry, ever since I’ve had Spud, and there was still a leak after them replacing it.
Also, rear nut of the fuel pump was loose. (They told me to put thread lock on. I torqued it to correct setting, it’s been fine since)

And after Spud was delivered back, still leaking oil, I drained it to find ½ litre excess in engine!

They fitted new braided stainless steel brake hoses.
​​On way home from a trip, coming off M4 brakes failed. On checking, connecting nut on joint front nearside bracket loose. I bled and refilled with brake fluid. There were no bleed nipple caps on both rear breaks. (Did find one in engine bay?)

They changed distributor with two small oil seals which led to oil leak. See pic.
They had it back and I told them three times about oil leak. Still failed to sort out.

Changed my electronic ignition to points without checking with/asking me

New engine bay seal fitted (£120) it was split.

I have, as a novice, rectified all of these things. Including having the engine out (they Charged £325 +VAT to remove/refit engine) and replacing the seal.

For the future . . . . . .
I have been getting wheel wobble , progressively worse, and had to get four new tyres. Spud is going in to have this looked at. Shouldn’t be front or rear tracking, as that had all been checked.

So as a lesson to new VW owners.

Firstly.​ A lot can be done yourself.
Secondly. Expensive doesn’t mean best.
Thirdly. Ask around other owners/members for their recommendations on who they use and ​ how to do things.

As a lovely old Gloucestershire pub landlord used to say

​​“A lesson bought is greater than a lesson taught”
Boy have I learnt a lesson.

In case you haven’t guessed, the garage was Type 2 Detectives

5 stars all the way for Type 2 Detectives! A pleasure to deal with and highly recommended. Very experienced guys and certainly know their way around anything Air-cooled! Highly recommend their Bilstein Shocks too.

We can't thank the guys at Type2Detectives enough for all their help recently in getting our T2 campervan 'Tilly' up and running. She had been off the road for 7 months due to serious illness. It was a proud moment for us when she was the lead vehicle at my partners funeral last week and he would have been delighted.

This review isn't about VW's but it's a review for the decency and kindness of the staff who work at Type 2 Detectives,
Today I broke down on a BMW motorbike opposite their premises, my battery failed,
So I asked a nearby garage for help who wanted £69 to jump start it,
With no further options I wheeled it to Type 2 Detectives who were amazing, they sent a fella out who jumped and sorted it in no time allowing me to make it home, they even offered me and my wife teas and coffees,
They didn't charge, didn't want anything and were under no obligation to help but they were smashing.

Would reccomend them to anyone.

Thanks guys

I attended one of Type 2 detectives' boot camps and haven't stopped talking about it since. Perfect for novices and avid home mechanics alike, the day was run by friendly, professional staff who were happy to answer any questions we had. We were thoroughly looked after and the food and drink offering was superb. What a brilliant place this is. I will certainly be going back and using them in the future for any work on my beetle that I cant tackle myself.

A brilliant company with expert knowledge and a passion for their work. Paul and Mark could not be more helpful and all their staff are equally helpful. I cannot recommend this company enough for their work on my van and their Boot Camp Day.

Busy but attentive. They know their air-cooled Volkswagens. Burwell and the surrounding area is a lovely spot to meander around whilst they checked over my bus. A productive visit, some work they carried out that day, others tasks I'll be back to have them address.