Help needed! Broken down in 35C France... Turbocharger maybe??

[Just smiffy]

This thread goes to show why belonging to fun is a god send in situations like this.
Funster has big problem.
A large number of other funsters get involved with good, solid advice including several offers of work areas.
Top notch translation services offered.
And Young Dave thanked everybody involved rather than just disappearing.
Long live MHF

Yes it’s good to get feedback.... makes it all worthwhile..

 

[jollyrodger]

Who needs ADAC ,when we have fun

I did take a look on mine a 1998 2.5td fiat plant but bright sunlight ,a cr*p cam on the spare phone and tight space on the A class bonnet/hatch.
I did find a load of cobwebs though.
The hose on mine comes from the scrubber box across to the air filter and various other pipes .

 

[WJACC]

Give me the number of the garage (or its name and town) I will check for Dave and will also tell them if open in August (hummm!!!)they are going to have a client soon.

Garage Patouillard, Dunieres 43220, 0471668202 Have a look at #72

 

[yodeli]

Have a look at #72

OOPS ... missed that one!

EDIT : WJACC
Just called to see if I could leave a vocal message but it says the number is not valid anymore
RE EDIT found the new number

 

[yodeli]

Weyhey ! Got them ! A very nice lady answered in spite of my late call, and... THEY ARE OPEN till the 14th of August!

Now she would like to know (I know you might have say it all along the posts but indeed, I don't master mecanic vocabulary that much, and didn't read all the details)

1)What's the engine (ducato, mercedes ford..etc) how many kms on the clock
2)Describe the problem ... err possibly with words I can manage to translate at least with google if too specific.
3)When you assume you can reach their position

4)Anything which could help them to get the problem so they can sort you quicker!

I will call them back when I know it all.

Off to eat now....

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[TheBig1]

YoungDave this is not a criticism of you, so please don't take it as such. Somebody, likely before you owned the van has obviously had problems, hence the wrong "jubilee" clips on the pipes. It may be that the bottom crankcase breather hose attachment broke of long ago. The dirty oily engine suggests this. And the top hose to the air intake, by the filter was left off, as it vents to the air in the engine bay anyway

If it was me, I would spend the time, or pay somebody, to clean the engine bay and replace all those manky hoses with new. Include a new scrubber box, they are not massively expensive. They were always a problem waiting to happen anyway and will trip you up again if left. Then a full service with oil and air filters

The problem with old engines, if you have no mechanical knowledge is that you buy and are relying on somebody else's previous repairs. Some may have been temporary quick fixes that have worked and been forgotten. If travelling in your van, you need to have confidence it is fit to go where you want when needed. In that condition, I wouldn't be confident to risk a 50 mile journey. Look after that engine and it will last for years of reliability

As I said, no criticism of you, just the way somebody has sold you the van without it being maintained well

 

[airwave]

YoungDave this is not a criticism of you, so please don't take it as such. Somebody, likely before you owned the van has obviously had problems, hence the wrong "jubilee" clips on the pipes. It may be that the bottom crankcase breather hose attachment broke of long ago. The dirty oily engine suggests this. And the top hose to the air intake, by the filter was left off, as it vents to the air in the engine bay anyway

If it was me, I would spend the time, or pay somebody, to clean the engine bay and replace all those manky hoses with new. Include a new scrubber box, they are not massively expensive. They were always a problem waiting to happen anyway and will trip you up again if left. Then a full service with oil and air filters

The problem with old engines, if you have no mechanical knowledge is that you buy and are relying on somebody else's previous repairs. Some may have been temporary quick fixes that have worked and been forgotten. If travelling in your van, you need to have confidence it is fit to go where you want when needed. In that condition, I wouldn't be confident to risk a 50 mile journey. Look after that engine and it will last for years of reliability

As I said, no criticism of you, just the way somebody has sold you the van without it being maintained well

I have the later 2.8 tdi version of this motor , on a 2000 Fiat , which i have noticed , also has this box fitted . Currently working on the cooling system , at first sight , i thought it was part of the cooling system as the pipes were similar to that feeding the oil cooler fitted much lower . Examination revealed it was not , however i couldn't figure out what it actually was , and so , was down for closer examination to figure out what exact purpose it did serve . The pictures in post 92 , are also showing components that i have noted are fitted to my van , and are going a long way to explain what all these extra bits are . Though i will be following this thread , unfortunately i can't help at this time .
What i would add , Is the Big one is quite correct in his overall assessment , and the reason my van is under going the work it currently is ! .

Though todate , i've not found any particular nasties , i have found many naughty's , mainly in the wiring department , both under the bonnet , and behind the dash . I've also found tampering with the vacuum system , and a second class repair .

 

[YoungDave]

Hi everybody, sorry for the slow replies. After disconnecting the hoses as advised by jockaneezer we continued on and made it to the Lac d'Aydat yesterday early evening yesterday. We bought a couple of cold beers, and went for a swim in the lake, and got an early night. A great evening which was a reminder why motorhomes are so fun after a pretty stressful couple of days!

tonyidle thanks for that diagram. I can look up all those components so I know what they look like. I'm not that mechanically-minded currently - but intend to be. In my experience the only way to really understand something is to do it!

yodeli thank you so much again, and WJACC for beating me to re-sharing the number. The details are
1. Fiat Ducato 2.5 TD c.1995
2. The problems all relate to the Crankcase Breather
i. The Oil Return Pipe from the Crankcase Breather has come loose
ii. The Gas Pipe from the Crankcase Brether to the Air Filter/Turbo is not present
iii. I don't know if this is too much to ask, but I would certainly be interested in a quote to - as per TheBig1 's suggestion:

clean the engine bay, replace any bad hoses with new, replace scrubber box, conduct full service with new oil and air filters. (Also how long this would take). If that is too much to ask, just i. & ii. above - I will have a separate consideration of how I achieve iii.

The Dotties Raul Jake Royd - I agree. I said it earlier but I'll say it again - MHF is a truly special thing. Having got through including resolving issue created by paying a reputable garage through this forum - and be moving again, with another (recommended) garage in sight - it genuinely makes me feel a bit emotional. Don't know where we'd be without you all right now!

jollyrodger thanks for the pics - I'm sure they will be useful next time I get under there - particularly along with tonyidle 's diagram.

airwave - I suspect I am in a similar state - hopefully the service as detailed by TheBig1 will cover most of this (except for electricals) off.

Thanks again everybody and all the best,
YoungDave

 

[YoungDave]

yodeli Sorry I forgot to say when we can be at the garage for. We could be there for Monday; if they can fit us in some time between Monday and Wednesday would be great....

Thank you so much again,
YoungDave

EDIT: And sorry the problems are to do with the Catch Can - NOT Crankcase Breather per #98

 

[Jake Royd]

It's great to see a problem solved with the help of Funsters.
It sounds like (I know this is late but I have been following the thread for a few days) the breather system is a minor problem but not the root cause.

That seems to be a bleed pipe missing or not connected, on either the exhaust side of the turbo or perhaps more probably on the induction side where pressurised air is being forced into the engine.
This would lower the boost into the engine, reducing power and could account for the 'hissing' noise heard. This could be the main air feed, just coming off the connections , loose clip, anything in that line. Once found , straightforward to fix.

One problem on all Ducato's and other short nosed vehicles is simply seeing and getting access to some areas of the underbonnet.

A fine job was done by all who helped.

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[yodeli]

yodeli Sorry I forgot to say when we can be at the garage for. We could be there for Monday; if they can fit us in some time between Monday and Wednesday would be great....

Thank you so much again,
YoungDave

EDIT: And sorry the problems are to do with the Catch Can - NOT Crankcase Breather per #98

OK . Will phone after work when translation is ready!
Hope everything can be sorted quickly so you can carry on your hols peacefully!

 

[yodeli]

http://mecamobichon.free.fr/cours/glossaire_francais_anglais.pdf I found crankcase page 40

Right I need your help here as I can't find the technical words in French for catch can and crankcase breather
Can you explain their function . I found a few definitions but still can't find the french equivalent

 

[TheBig1]

Hi Frankie, call it an oil separater for the breather hoses. Any garage should understand what you are trying to explain

 

[Toby28]

This is why I joined this forum. Someone in trouble and so many others offering advice, places to stay, places to work.
Like I have said before I looked at a lot of Forums before joining this one. Just proves I made the right decision. Well done to all of you who have offered help in anyway. Restores your faith in human nature. well on this forum anyway.
You should all take a pat on the back for all the help that has been offered. WELL DONE!!!!

 

[spitfire]

http://mecamobichon.free.fr/cours/glossaire_francais_anglais.pdf I found crankcase page 40

Right I need your help here as I can't find the technical words in French for catch can and crankcase breather
Can you explain their function . I found a few definitions but still can't find the french equivalent

Peut-être relâchement de la pression du carter moteur for the crankcase breather ? And in English a crankcase breather oil catch can filter and in French une prise d’huile de reniflard de carter peut filtrer .

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[yodeli]

une prise d’huile de reniflard de carter peut filtrer .

Thing is .... it doesn't make any sense. It is just a word by word translation , unfortunatly. The first bit does make more sense. Thanks Pam. Not easy when it comes to specific words

 

[spitfire]

Mmm

Thing is .... it doesn't make any sense. It is just a word by word translation , unfortunatly. The first bit does make more sense. Thanks Pam. Not easy when it comes to specific words

Mmm I can’t do technical either lol

 

[spitfire]

Thing is .... it doesn't make any sense. It is just a word by word translation , unfortunatly. The first bit does make more sense. Thanks Pam. Not easy when it comes to specific words

Ok next plan . Bill is printing off a plan of the engine . Marking the parts . I will e mail to Jean Claude to ask for the names in French ! He doesn’t speak English so no good asking him in English lol Hopefully he picks up the e mail !!

 

[Pete5996]

This site has an Anglo/French dictionary of vehicle parts. Might not provide exact term but scroll to exploded diagram which has many tech parts labelled:

https://blog.desmonts.net/dictionnaire-auto-anglais-francais/

 

[yodeli]

This site has an Anglo/French dictionary of vehicle parts. Might not provide exact term but scroll to exploded diagram which has many tech parts labelled:

https://blog.desmonts.net/dictionnaire-auto-anglais-francais/

A bit like the one I've given the link I guess.
Will go through it and see if I can find the 2 parts we need the french for

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[yodeli]

On the link Pete5996 there is also a drawing of all the engine parts . Would you say that number 46 can also be called catch can?

 

[yodeli]

Hi Frankie, call it an oil separater for the breather hoses. Any garage should understand what you are trying to explain

Never saw you post! It just answers my last one! Thanks!

 

[yodeli]

YoungDave
I called a very good friend of mine who used to be a mecanic, a good one! (JJ André, who got me that job at Latecoere)
This is what he just told me: If you've had a probem with the turbo charger (I think you mentionned this at the beginning) , been fixed quickly , then loose somehow power when road became hilly, then my friend thinks you're putting your life (lives) at danger by trying to carry on driving. We just had a terrible accident due to turbo charger on a motorway in France. It has set fire to the engine, no way to stop the turbo which just carried on working even though the engine was switched off.
I certainly can't make a proper diagnosis without seeing things, he said , but with old engines I would ask for a trailer...150 euros may be. (EDIT to the nearest appropriate garage that is)

Now, BAM, I'll do what you want me to do. I now know what to say to the garage. But I could not keep this for me and let you carry on without warning you.

 

[YoungDave]

Hi yodeli - thanks so much for sharing so quickly. Thankfully the issue with the turbo I believe I have fixed myself. I have drive again and am feeling confident with the engine. I appreciate you sharing however, it does make me more inclined to get a full service if the garage can offer it.

Do you have what you know now for the catch can/oil seperator & crankcase breather terminology?

Thank you so much again, you have been a saint!!

YoungDave

 

[yodeli]

Yes I know what each thing is. and so can explain. I don't know whether the mecanic will venture a quote before having seen it. But in any case I am going to contact the garage and let them know you're on your way and will be there on Monday... fingers crossed!

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[yodeli]

YoungDave I had the garage, they understood perfectly what the problem is , and said if they can find the part quickly it should be ready by wednesday. Finding the part is the main thing. They can't make a quote until they see the Moho, but then you will have it quickly.
If any problem to understand each other they will contact me so you don't use your English phone!

They are waiting for you on Monday as said!

Job done as far as I am concerned!

Amicalement
Frankie

 

[The Dotties]

yodeli
You are absolutely brilliant!

 

[YoungDave]

yodeli thank you so so much. Job done indeed, we will be there on Lundi - and see from there!

Salut!!!

YoungDave

 

[airwave]

I suspect I am in a similar state - hopefully the service as detailed by @TheBig1 will cover most of this (except for electricals) off.

Many people who buy a vehicle , will only look under the bonnet once , as if just to say , engine , yeah check , shut the bonnet , and never look in there again . Yet , when it let's them down , which at some point it will , they will curse it to high heaven and back again . I know this , i've actually seen it . They have more important thing's to do , like travel to the seaside or a drive in the country , can't afford the time to spend on a mere car . My younger brother is one of them , "don't do cars" he say's , yet he's always complaining he has no money , hmmmm , connection maybe ? . Many garages refer to these people as "happy if it had four wheels" customers , you could sell anything so long as it had four wheels . Ironically many don't even know where the spare wheel is , so lets not get involved with actually changing the dam thing . My brother at least does and can , whether he actually would is another matter . We were both brought up with engines , our dad was ex-military , from the last war . Part of his duties were maintaining the vehicles he drove , and he passed some of that knowledge on to us , well at least , he tried . Like others , we had more important things to do , too . However all that changed when i brought a motorbike . It was brand new and from one of the then big four companies , but needed constant attention , and i was forced to pay attention . The flame was lit , though i will admit it took a bit of time .
I was 17 then , and have been dabbling with engines ever since . I moved on to cars , "exactly the same , only four of everything" , my dad would say , however it's only really got serious in the last 20 years or so .

Now i won't bore you anymore except to say , it's never too late to learn . The single biggest improvement you can make to any engine , is change the oil . This is the lifeblood of the thing , yet many don't bother . I was taught the more you change it , the better . Old oil will not give the protection , and will cause greater engine wear , than anything else , I have in the past , removed oil that resembled treacle , horribly thick black gooee stuff . Just try and imagine that on starting your engine , it's not gonna reach vital parts of the engine , let alone the turbo . Oil should flow , will this stuff , and it's in your engine . Oh and don't be fooled by this long life stuff either . That should start a debate ! . weeeeeeeeee .

Like mine , your engine is old generation . I change my oil twice a year , i also change the filter at the same time , and just for good measure i run an oil flusher through the system too . It's an easy job and a good place to start . Almost instantly you begin to make friends with your engine , knowing where the oil goes in , where it comes out , where the filter is . Hah , i'm guessing you already know where the dipstick is , sorry , i'm sure you do , but you see where i'm coming from . The other filters are just as easy , but one step at a time , huh .
Another job , that has an added hidden benefit , but is equally as easy , is cleaning the engine . Without the crud it will run slightly cooler , which benefits the oil . It will look better , a leak will show sooner , and should you ever need to put the van into a garage . A mechanic could be more inclined to help , if they open the lid and see a clean engine inside . After all , no one likes working in dirty conditions . A mechanic has a dirty job anyway , why make it worst . I've had a couple of mot examiners comment of my vehicles and a garage owner say it cleaner than his . This job is simple , get some degreaser from a motorist shop . Gunk is one brand , a brush , and a hose . By brush i mean paint brush , 1-2 inch is fine , but if your really serious a collection of sizes is better , and if you have a pressure washer , so much the better . Don't set about , trying to do the whole thing in one go , it's a bloody big motor . Set about areas , your soon finish it , and the bits you have done will spur you on . Don't let the water near electrics , open fuses , battery , work carefully round them . General engine electrics will take splashing , but don't aim directly at them . Another benefit to cleaning the engine , is your beginning to examine it too . Cleaning a pipe and you see wear , one to keep an eye on , a nick maybe one to replace , one that comes away in your hand , err hello ! . As i say , making friends . I know this sounds silly , but it's true , you start to associate different parts of the engine , you may not know what they do yet , but you know they are there and where they go . Remind me again , how did i get involved in this thread ! .
None of these are expensive , an oil change with filter and flusher oil , should cost around 50 quid , points from your engine , priceless . I would recommend buying the proper tools , the sump plug is easily damaged , but replacements are available on ebay , actually the first thing i brought for mine , and get a good quality oil . I use Castrol , but the shop will help you out there , just remember your turbo , they need a higher grade . As for reading material , hmmm , now that's a difficult one , quite frankly , there ent one for these engines . The one i've got is more penguin book than service manual , but it is useful to me . It's far from complete , and a bit mixed up into the bargain . Maybe suggest , reading the mechanical section on fun , there's a lot to read and they cover an awful lot of subjects . But don't be afraid to ask questions , even on an old thread !
Oh and when i say getting to know your engine , i don't mean in a literal sense . I do not , wanna to see a post from your missis , saying "he's talking to that bloody engine again" , either . It's not that kinda care . Flowers might , the jury's out on that one , engines , hmmmm , nah !

 

[The Coops]

Tres Bon!

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