Find mobile service engineer for Ducato

[Peter Clark]

Hello Funsters
I am struggling to find information on mobile service engineers.

Searched everywhere I can think of, including Caravan Club approved mobile service engineers register - but none of those operate south of Birmingham.

Situation:
Have found a MH I’m interested in buying - 2008 Burstner Travel Van - 33,000 miles - bit it is still on original cam belt.

I am nervous of even driving it even 35 miles to nearest reputable service centre - so would like to have full belts & water pump change before going anywhere.

Would be grateful for information on finding a quality service engineer who could go to Chesham (near Hemel Hempstead) to do the job.

PS: the vehicle has receipts for new shock absorbers - clutch - rear discs - habitation check - set of very good Vancamper tyres, 4 years old but prob no more than 1/3 worn - but the owner doesn’t believe cam belt needs changing under 60k miles regardless of age - even though he admits his garage have said it should be.

 

[davidroxburgh]

If you are very keen get the owner to drive it to a good Fiat Professional dealer to have Cambelt done. Quite tricky to agree a deal linked to successful outcome. I would walk away as the sellers attitude would make me worry there are other issues. I think there is an association of mobile service engineers?

 

[Spriddler]

Re cam belt etc., I don't know your area but a standard garage (i.e. not a m/h specialist) is your best bet for that work.
I may be wrong and it depends upon which engine but I'm not sure that a mobile mechanic is appropriate to replace a cam belt outdoors.

 

[IRHP]

I’d walk away unless he agrees to get the belt done before a sale. You employing someone to do the work on someone else’s van can get very complicated. 13 years is WAY over the service schedule. These belts deteriorate with age hence why there’s a time and use on the service schedule. He should consider himself very lucky.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think it has the 2.2 pinto engine so it will be a chain, no belt to change.

What would concern me it that its only done 2000 miles a year so it has spent most of its life sitting g around that would put me off.

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[Peter Clark]

I think it has the 2.2 pinto engine so it will be a chain, no belt to change.

What would concern me it that its only done 2000 miles a year so it has spent most of its life sitting g around that would put me off.

Hi Lenny - It’s a 2.3 with a cam belt.

 

[Peter Clark]

If you are very keen get the owner to drive it to a good Fiat Professional dealer to have Cambelt done. Quite tricky to agree a deal linked to successful outcome. I would walk away as the sellers attitude would make me worry there are other issues. I think there is an association of mobile service engineers?

Hi David - it had occurred to me that my only safe option would be that the owner drives it to the service centre, and I pay for the vehicle after it has received a clean bill of health.

 

[Peter Clark]

I’d walk away unless he agrees to get the belt done before a sale. You employing someone to do the work on someone else’s van can get very complicated. 13 years is WAY over the service schedule. These belts deteriorate with age hence why there’s a time and use on the service schedule. He should consider himself very lucky.

Hi IRHP - it’s exactly 15 years old this month!
The MH would be ideal without this issue - but I may have to reluctantly walk away.

 

[davidroxburgh]

Hi David - it had occurred to me that my only safe option would be that the owner drives it to the service centre, and I pay for the vehicle after it has received a clean bill of health.

I guess the problem will be whether the owner will play ball as he will have to pay for the work as it will still be his vehicle. I would still be wary as the attitude to what almost everyone knows is a vital thing to have done, namely a cam belt, would worry me.

 

[L' Hobo]

Hello Funsters
I am struggling to find information on mobile service engineers.

Searched everywhere I can think of, including Caravan Club approved mobile service engineers register - but none of those operate south of Birmingham.

Situation:
Have found a MH I’m interested in buying - 2008 Burstner Travel Van - 33,000 miles - bit it is still on original cam belt.

I am nervous of even driving it even 35 miles to nearest reputable service centre - so would like to have full belts & water pump change before going anywhere.

Would be grateful for information on finding a quality service engineer who could go to Chesham (near Hemel Hempstead) to do the job.

PS: the vehicle has receipts for new shock absorbers - clutch - rear discs - habitation check - set of very good Vancamper tyres, 4 years old but prob no more than 1/3 worn - but the owner doesn’t believe cam belt needs changing under 60k miles regardless of age - even though he admits his garage have said it should be.

There used to be one near the St Neots CCC site that they used to recommend BUT (A) they will not be open until just before Easter, I don't think, (but there will be someone there Site Sitting if you call?) and (B) changing a cambelt, in the open, is probably not a job that they/you would want to do, at this time of year?

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[Peter Clark]

There used to be one near the St Neots CCC site that they used to recommend BUT (A) they will not be open until just before Easter, I don't think, (but there will be someone there Site Sitting if you call?) and (B) changing a cambelt, in the open, is probably not a job that they/you would want to do, at this time of year?

Hi L’hobo - con census is developing is that it needs to be done in a proper workshop - and the owner has to be responsible for getting it there.
So if it detonates on the way - not my problem.

 

[Peter Clark]

I think it has the 2.2 pinto engine so it will be a chain, no belt to change.

What would concern me it that its only done 2000 miles a year so it has spent most of its life sitting g around that would put me off.

Hi Lenny
Both the MH’s I’m interested in are 2008 - one at 33,000 and one at 36000.

They are both in good overall condition - do you have any suggestions on what I should look for to indicate the low mileage is a disadvantage, rather than an advantage?

 

[Lenny HB]

Not things you can spot easily but things like brake bads tend to crumble, thrust realise bearing on clutch tend to seize, gear linkage cables stiff etc.
If he has not had the cam belt changed in that time what else has been missed.
A van of that age I would expect to see at least 75k on the clock and that is still low mileage we do about 9000 a year in our van.

 

[DJL220]

You could check out Venture Motorhomes in Hitchin, I used them for a service once and they seemed pretty good. Hemel to Hitchin is a bit of a trek though. Worth getting any service shop to give the van a good going over too. I would be very wary of a cam belt of such age though!
Ours is a 2006 and has done around 60k - fairly low mileage. Best to check out the tyres as they degrade in UV and I found give a harsh ride if been sitting around for a while. Manufactures date/year will be on the side wall

 

[The Artilleryman]

On the point bout low mileage MH's. It all depends on what the MH is used for.
In our case it's for Steam Traction Rally's so we will only do above 3,000 miles a year. Yes our MH will be sat around not being used during the off season, but will be well maintained.

Should this put off a potential buyer when we come to sell?

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[L' Hobo]

On the point bout low mileage MH's. It all depends on what the MH is used for.
In our case it's for Steam Traction Rally's so we will only do above 3,000 miles a year. Yes our MH will be sat around not being used during the off season, but will be well maintained.

Should this put off a potential buyer when we come to sell?

It would not put me off if it was the van I wanted BUT, it would certainly make me ask more questions, see more bills etc. and look more closely before taking it on a test drive to see if it felt 'right'.

3.000 mls on short distant journeys is a lot different than the same amount on longer stretches.

However well serviced it is, does not remove trapped rain water in the chassis etc which just sits there and rusts, taking it on a longer journey does. Just like when you have drained down the water system for winter.

 

[The Artilleryman]

It would not put me off if it was the van I wanted BUT, it would certainly make me ask more questions, see more bills etc. and look more closely before taking it on a test drive to see if it felt 'right'.

3.000 mls on short distant journeys is a lot different than the same amount on longer stretches.

However well serviced it is, does not remove trapped rain water in the chassis etc which just sits there and rusts, taking it on a longer journey does. Just like when you have drained down the water system for winter.

Define short distance, nearest is 45 miles, most 80 - 100miles, a couple are nearer 200 miles.

What would get you running for the hills, would be the tow bar and 2ton box trailer I tow 90+% of the time.

When we sell, I will be honest with any potential buyer as to the life it has lead.

 

[L' Hobo]

I am glad that you will be honest and for me personally, the distances are fine especially if they were done week or fortnightly and the vehicle not stood in the open for weeks/months in the winter without moving

Me not knowing your vehicle make, size of engine, weight etc., is a problem and if the 2ton trailer would make me run depends on a number of things.

I would want to know that your engine was, (at least), 3ltr. and if only 3ltrs., when was the clutch done, if ever?
I would ask you to take me, with you driving and trailer loaded, on a test drive. After which, I would want to also give it a test drive with me driving (without trailer)
When you have been in the Transport game as long as I have, one gets a 'feeling' of what's right and what's wrong.
(If it doesn't 'feel' right, I would walk away from it and, possibly, lose a bargain, but if it didn't, it would take me a long time to trust it, and a untrustworthy vehicle is the last thing I want!)

It also depends on the price your asking for the vehicle, of course.