Fuming (2 Viewers)

[ShiftZZ]

Our van broke down on the way back from Cromer. Battery light came on, then the temp guage went off the scale. Initial diagnosis, new fan belt, tensioner and a possible waterpump.

Got recovered , that took 11 hours, delivered it to a local garage which does motorhomes etc. They said they were busy but would sort it out, that was two weeks last monday, got a phone call, it was going to be a lot of labour, about 17 hours, as the van was there agreed.

Last week, they said they were short staffed and would get back to me, again, it was a big job.

They rang on Monday, the woman was a bit confused, said she would get back to me.

She rang today, bad news, the van is more complex than they thought, different body (A CLASS) and they think its too much work for them and they are not confident in doing the work, they think they need to take the engine out and remove the chain etc. They dont want to do the work..

Its a LHD A class Carthago..

I'm stuck, I need to be able to recover the van 4.2t 7.6m and find a garage to do the work. The garage thinks it needs at least 20 hours work and to buy a specialist tool..


FUMING

If its a fan belt, a tensioner and a water pump, doe they need to remove the engine etc etc?

 

[steve69]

If it was just the fanbelt, what is going on?

P.S. I'm sure you know the old "women's nylon tights" trick to fashion a get-you-home fanbelt.
I can vouch for this working very well. Did it many years ago on my mini.

 

[SM0129]

Not ideal, but if it is a case that they don't sound to confident about fixing it- the last thing you want is them "having a go"

In the long run you are better of moving it to a garage that is competent- even with the cost of moving it, it may still work out cheaper than the original garage estimate of 20 hours of labour and a special tool

 

[ontheroadagain]

Is it a 3.0L engine?
I believe that changing the water pump on them is a major job as it also acts as an engine mount.

 

[gus-lopez]

Is it a 3.0L engine?
I believe that changing the water pump on them is a major job as it also acts as an engine mount.

so does the original 1980's ducato & water actually flows through it: Just hold engine up under the sump

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[Just smiffy]

Surly you ring your breakdown cover as the garage they took it too can’t do it so they will move it to a garage that can or to one of your choice…

 

[Lenny HB]

Surly you ring your breakdown cover as the garage they took it too can’t do it so they will move it to a garage that can or to one of your choice…

Worth a try.

 

[Lenny HB]

Dave, give Adams Morey at Portsmouth a call, I know you are not going to take it there but they are very helpful and should be able to give an idea of what's involved and cost.

 

[enark]

Get a haynes manual and see how easy or difficult fitting a new aux/fan belt is.

Just had one go on a car, was quoted all manner of prices, got a new belt from euro car parts -£20, removed front wheel, released the tensioner and slipped it on. All fixed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Get a haynes manual and see how easy or difficult fitting a new aux/fan belt is.

Just had one go on a car, was quoted all manner of prices, got a new belt from euro car parts -£20, removed front wheel, released the tensioner and slipped it on. All fixed.

But you need a ramp or a pit it has to be done from underneath.

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[enark]

But you need a ramp or a pit it has to be done from underneath.

You may well be right, but a haynes manual will explain how.

It will also indicate how complex or not the job is, so the mechanics “ {deep intake of breath}, this is a lot of work” approach can be countered.

Accept that A class vehicles have restricted engine bays.

Worth £20 many times over.

 

[ShiftZZ]

Spoke to Knights of Arley, they are pretty good, they appear to think is the water pump issue collapsing... They can do it but only mid September...Will arrange to have the van taken

 

[dunnah01]

You need to ask them what their diagnosis of the problem is. They clearly think it's a lot more than the aux belt and water pump.

 

[DavidG58]

Our independent garage tried to sort my turbo back in 2016, they end up making it worse, I was lucky that it was still driveable but mostly in limp mode . But was able to get to Mertrux

They confirmed it needed a new turbo which was totally out of sight and reach on our A class

It needed the gear box removing to give access

The job booked at 4 hours for a standard Sprinter, Mertrux very generously agreed to charge me no more than twice that number of hours despite knowing it would almost certainly take longer and it did

Coachbuilt or PVC if we do ever change

 

[ShiftZZ]

Our independent garage tried to sort my turbo back in 2016, they end up making it worse, I was lucky that it was still driveable but mostly in limp mode . But was able to get to Mertrux

They confirmed it needed a new turbo which was totally out of sight and reach on our A class

It needed the gear box removing to give access

The job booked at 4 hours for a standard Sprinter, Mertrux very generously agreed to charge me no more than twice that number of hours despite knowing it would almost certainly take longer and it did

Coachbuilt or PVC if we do ever change

I'm beginning to think the same way.

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