Right I'll help as much as I can but as you haven't specified a model this could be quite long winded so apologies in advance.
engine746cc aircooled flat twin. (33)
844cc aircooled flat twin (44 , 46)
These engines are strong and well built but do have some issues.
1. Inlet manifolds rot where the hotspot pipes enter, the result of this is exhaust gases in the inlet and an unhappy engine, the normal fix here is to cut the pipes of and fill them up with weld. In the UK climate all this will give is a minor flat spot which you can live with quite readily.
2. The oilways to the rocker gear can block up but appropriate servicing should prevent this and for some reason less oil gets to one pot than the other, as a result that pot is the one that will cause issues first. Sorry I can't remember offhand if its left or right.
3. Clutch. If it has been standing for some time expect to have to change the clutch shoes as they delaminate with time. This jobs requires the removal of the engine, but on the plus side that is not a big job on a DAF. All you need is a trolley jack and a socket set. With practice you can do it in 30mins.
1.1 Renault Cleon engine (55 , 66)
1.3 Renault Cleon engine (66)
Expect to change the thermostat and the water pump these engines do not like overheating. HGs are also a common failure and it is important not to turn the engine with the head off as it can disturb the cylinder liners and cause the wet liner gaskets to fail.
bodywork All models
Rust is your enemy here there are a fair few rot traps. So always check everywhere but the following need close scrutiny on a prospective purchase.
1. rear valance
2. sills
3. under the rear side windows.
4. Floorpans
5. Front wings
Brakes33
You've got single leading shoe drums all round. These need periodic adjustment but are more than up to the task of stopping the car. On the plus side this model shares many brake components with Minis.
44
Drums all round again wheel cylinders fail readily and are getting hard to come by. These will most likely need to be imported from Holland. The cylinders are shared with the NSU prinz as well so available in germany.
46.
These have a twin leading set up on the front and are the best stoppers on any DAF model. Again check for leaks.
55 , 66
Higher specs have disc brakes. If left the callipers can stick but they don't cause that many problems. Low specs have drums all round so same as above.
Variomatic Don't be scared of it its really not that complicated.
If it doesn't seem to change up and down properly your first port of call should be the vaccuum control system. The same goes for rough running of the engine.
1st check all the vacuum lines for splits and general deteriation. 6 pipes under the bonnet and 2 to each variomatic primary pulley.
If you still have problems test the diaphragms via a blow test this is described in detail on all of the DAF specific forums, which I would advise you to join.
Belts have recently started to be remanufactured for the UK club and vary in price per model. Expect 15 to 20k from belts in a 33 and significantly more from a B body car.
All models but the 66 and 46 have no differential and achieve a LSD effect by allowing each pulley to alter ratio independently of the other. This makes them fantastic in snow. Do not let an MOT tester put it on a rolling road it will cause expensive damage! 66 has a diff so this is not as important but the tester is not allowed to put it on a rolling road anyway. 46 has a half a 66 transmision so only 1 belt but is a superior car in nearly every respect to the earlier swing axle models. However if you're belt breaks your stranded. With all other models loss of one belt will not stop the car you can continue your journey on one.
Suspension33
Independent coil sprung trangler arm rear. Trangler arms are known to crack check them carefully.
44 , 33 , 46
Transverse leaf on the front. Front shocks can jam but can be stripped down and rebuilt. Springs weaken over time but aren't unreliable.
44 , 55
Rear suspension by swing axle. Handling at the top end can be frisky but drive sensibly and they are an absolute hoot and very capable considering their power.
66 , 46
Rear suspension uses a leaf sprung de-dion axle. This is a vast improvement over the earlier cars and gives the car rather impressive handling characteristics.
Electrics Unless someone has hacked about with the electrics they give very little problems.
Think ive covered most things there but any questions feel free to ask me.
33
44
46
55
66
