Engine and rear suspension problems

[Al Bonzo]

Hi everyone im new on here and would appreciate some advice?
just puchased a 1988 Fiat ducato 2.5d 130 Cab Swift that has two ? faults first the engine starts and runs nice but no powerseems to be restricted around 2- 2500rpm struggles to get up the slightest of inclines even one i didnt know existed !!! Had new fuel lift pump and now an electric pump but still the same? Second the rear suspension is low and bounces up & down like a yo yo,thought it was shocks and maybe springs but dosnt have any {tortion bar} is there any adjustment? if not can i fit air suspension/ please help as its such a lovely Motorhome.
Thanks
Al Bondo

 

[Jev88]

Torsion bar suspension- needs greasing every year with wheels off the ground. Or bars will snap inside. Roughly £3000 for a refurb.

 

[TerryL]

As regards power, sounds like the engine is in "limp" mode. That was never the most powerful of motors but it should still rev freely. Do you have any warning lights, i.e. engine-shaped orange light, on the dash? For me first step would be get/buy/borrow an ODB reader and check what it comes up with. (The cynic in me suggests someone has "removed" the warning light.............!)

Unfortunately I'm with Jev88, looks like the torsion bar is U/S. Air suspension won't help correct that although IMO it is a good addition for handling etc.

Was this a private or dealer purchase, sorry to say that I think you may have bought a lemon - I'd be checking everything else or getting someone who knows about m/hs to check it out for you before laying out any more cash. Probably not what you wanted to hear.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

I'm wondering if a 1988 vehicle has a obd port, I would try a service air fuel filters to start with.

 

[ivorantony]

Torsion bar suspension- needs greasing every year with wheels off the ground. Or bars will snap inside. Roughly £3000 for a refurb.

Some do not, you need to check the axel casing for a grease nipple,
Mine is a 2008 and doesn’t have any,

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[Lenny HB]

Rear suspension, it could be the shock absorbers but if the axle has not been greased every year could be broken torsion bars.
A company called Faiser Brown will rebuild the axle about £1500.

AL-KO Axle Repair and reconditioning

Fully remanufactured and reconditioned AL-KO rear axle as fitted to Hymer, Ducatto, Swift, etc

www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk

 

[Barclaybasher]

Engine
Sounds obvious but does the throttle open fully. Happened to me once, cable had pulled through......

 

[Al Bonzo]

I'm wondering if a 1988 vehicle has a obd port, I would try a service air fuel filters to start with.

Torsion bar suspension- needs greasing every year with wheels off the ground. Or bars will snap inside. Roughly £3000 for a refurb.

Torsion bar suspension- needs greasing every year with wheels off the ground. Or bars will snap inside. Roughly £3000 for a refurb.

Hi will check laater for grease points cant say ive seen any? its sitting an inch or two low at the back and just a bit bouncy!!!

 

[Al Bonzo]

Hi will check laater for grease points cant say ive seen any? its sitting an inch or two low at the back and just a bit bouncy!!!

All filters and pump renewed.
dosnt have shocks or springs and and no ecu...
Appreciate your help
thankyou.

 

[Lenny HB]

Torsion bar axles normally have a shocks.

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[Al Bonzo]

Torsion bar axles normally have a shocks.

Ok ill try and upload some pics

 

[Baggydave]

Ok ill try and upload some pics

Hi & welcome. I would suggest you change the fuel filter first. It should be behind the air filter on the bulkhead. Is the engine smoking a lot?

 

[gus-lopez]

Torsion bar suspension- needs greasing every year with wheels off the ground. Or bars will snap inside. Roughly £3000 for a refurb.

I thought the Scottish firm Fraser-Brown did it for around 750 pounds?

it was shocks and maybe springs but dosnt have any {tortion bar}

As said above if torsion bars they could be broken & the firm Fraser Brown in Scotland are the No.1 for repairs

I'm wondering if a 1988 vehicle has a obd port,

no

dosnt have shocks or springs

even with torsion bars (alko chassis) it should have shock absorbers on an inclined angle .

 

[Jev88]

Rear suspension, it could be the shock absorbers but if the axle has not been greased every year could be broken torsion bars.
A company called Faiser Brown will rebuild the axle about £1500.

AL-KO Axle Repair and reconditioning

Fully remanufactured and reconditioned AL-KO rear axle as fitted to Hymer, Ducatto, Swift, etc

www.fraserbrowneng.co.uk

Thanks for sharing that cheaper axle fix. I was going off what my previously owner paid.

 

[Al Bonzo]

I thought the Scottish firm Fraser-Brown did it for around 750 pounds?


As said above if torsion bars they could be broken & the firm Fraser Brown in Scotland are the No.1 for repairs

no


even with torsion bars (alko chassis) it should have shock absorbers on an inclined angle .

Hi All many thanks your replies, on inspection of rear axle I found out that it is a Axles of Bolton bar axle, with no shocks or springs, just looks like a normal braked trailer axle that’s dropped a couple of inches and the rear is just bounce on the Tyres!!! Going to upload some pics and identification plate if anyone could steer me in the right direction re repair, can’t find any phone no for original manufacture??
Thanks

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[jockaneezer]

That's a bit of an agricultural axle for a camper, but looks to be original, unless it had an Alko axle that failed and they just inserted a trailer one ?
Those "Indespesion" type axles with the rubber inserts tend not to use shock absorbers as the rubber is supposedly "self damping".
I wonder, given it's age, if the rubber has just lost it's elasticity, allowing the radius arms to sag ?
I'm sure I saw a German video on YouTube where the guy actually pulled out the stubs and fitted new rubber inserts. Mind he did have a special bolt on jig to do it with ?
Edit, found the video, but it's quite involved.

It says the video is unavailable, but it does play if you click on "Watch on YouTube"

 

[Lenny HB]

Never seen one like that on a Motorhome I would have word with Fraser Brown.

 

[Spriddler]

It looks to me like an Indespension trailer axle with the hub pivot shaft held within rubber blocks inside the axle beam. I have them on my boat and m/cycle trailers. You can probably fit replacement suspension units

https://indespension.co.uk/indespension-trailer-parts/trailer-parts-and-accessories/suspension-axles

 

[Al Bonzo]

It looks to me like an Indespension trailer axle with the hub pivot shaft held within rubber blocks inside the axle beam. I have them on my boat and m/cycle trailers. You can probably fit replacement suspension units

View attachment 965923

View attachment 965910


https://indespension.co.uk/indespension-trailer-parts/trailer-parts-and-accessories/suspension-axles

Hi all
Frazor Brown is the man for the job, he knows the axle and will complete refurb £550.00 including collection and delivery with a one week turn round!!! happy days thanks all for your responses.

 

[Al Bonzo]

Just need to sort engine problem now, as mentioned earlier it is similar to an engine being in limp mode? does anyone know what engine would fit on same mounts that has better power? as if i get get this one sorted ive learnt apparantly they are under powered for this motorHome?

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[Baggydave]

Just need to sort engine problem now, as mentioned earlier it is similar to an engine being in limp mode? does anyone know what engine would fit on same mounts that has better power? as if i get get this one sorted ive learnt apparantly they are under powered for this motorHome?

I think your van like mine has no “limp” mode or ecu for that matter. I had similar restricted rev & power problems on my 2.8idt. Think in the end I decided it was bad fuel or water in The tank. Changed the fuel filter a couple of times & now is fine. Still slow on steep hills but revs to 3500 easily, need ear plugs though.

 

[Itsmcb]

That axle refurb is a bargain . I would persevere with the engine problem, the 2.5 is somewhat underpowered but you won't want to go more than 60mph anyway and uphill is what the gears are for. Try and find an 'older' diesel mechanic, from experience, anyone under about 50 years old won't have a clue.

 

[jockaneezer]

Friend had an LT 35 that was gutless, I said you can get an add on turbo kit and manifold for it. He said that the lights and brakes weren't up to going any faster though !

 

[Flossy123]

Hi everyone im new on here and would appreciate some advice?
just puchased a 1988 Fiat ducato 2.5d 130 Cab Swift that has two ? faults first the engine starts and runs nice but no powerseems to be restricted around 2- 2500rpm struggles to get up the slightest of inclines even one i didnt know existed !!! Had new fuel lift pump and now an electric pump but still the same? Second the rear suspension is low and bounces up & down like a yo yo,thought it was shocks and maybe springs but dosnt have any {tortion bar} is there any adjustment? if not can i fit air suspension/ please help as its such a lovely Motorhome.
Thanks
Al Bondo

get the head gasket checked

 

[Baggydave]

That axle refurb is a bargain . I would persevere with the engine problem, the 2.5 is somewhat underpowered but you won't want to go more than 60mph anyway and uphill is what the gears are for. Try and find an 'older' diesel mechanic, from experience, anyone under about 50 years old won't have a clue.

No you definitely won’t want to go more than 60 even accidentally with a following wind down hill. Vans of a certain age are simply not made that way. 50/55 is tops for ours & feels comfortable at it.

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[Lenny HB]

Hi all
Frazor Brown is the man for the job, he knows the axle and will complete refurb £550.00 including collection and delivery with a one week turn round!!! happy days thanks all for your responses.

Now that's what you call a result.