Modding the Hymer ML-t 580 4x4

[AshFencing]

First Repair .....

My heating fan blower had developed a strange deep rumbling sound. Almost as though the bearings in the motor had failed, which seemed unlikely on a new vehicle.

I did wonder whether whilst, wiring the dash cam I'd knocked one of the vent tubes causing it to vibrate.

So…. I pulled the lower dashboard apart to get at the heating blower, but all seemed fine there.

Lifted the bonnet and inspected the air intake, I couldn’t feel anything down inside so I put the camera in to see if that would show anything.

I spotted something orange.

So vent off, and removed the offending article. One small leaf which must have dropped in one day when the bonnet was open.

Fired up the blower and all sounded normal again. I couldn’t see how one small leaf could have created such a noise.

To prevent it happening again I made a leaf guard grill using some leftover gutter guards.

Glad I didn’t drop it into Mercedes to look at, as pretty sure it wouldn’t have been covered under the warranty!

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Great idea. I had the exact same noise, although it was actually quite bad but didn’t have a clue as to why, so had booked it in at the service centre for the fault. Almost couldn’t believe what the cause was when they told me, and how common the issue is.

 

[Brains]

I measured again this afternoon. I've got three spaces left:

• RHS Rear adjacent skylight 100 x 56 cm
• LHS Rear adjacent skylight 130 x 56 cm
• Mid section between rear skylight and Maxxfan 55 x 120 cm

The brackets for the roof rails impede on the width available, as does the cable entry gland on the LHS for the awning light.

Here is my MLT 570 (2018) roof
A single panel: Approx 1m x 0.3m
Fitted, with a Battery Master, between the two roof vents by VanBitz in March 2020

It does what we need it to do, which is keep the batteries topped up, even mid winter in the shade.

 

[Platelet]

Just some random pictures of it underneath as I ponder the route for the rear dash-cam cable. There's a lot of big chunky, purposeful looking kit under there but it will never be this clean again!

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Apologies for being alarmist but is there damage to the bottom of the transfer case or is it just reflections?

 

[Abgs]

Apologies for being alarmist but is there damage to the bottom of the transfer case or is it just reflections?

I think it must be a reflection - all looks fine with it in real life!

 

[Abgs]

Today was finally warm enough to get up on the roof and fit the draught seal to the MaxxFan.

A nice simple job…

• Purchase seal for about £15.
• Open the fan from inside.
• Use the Hymer rear wall ladder to climb up top.
• Undo two screws on the MaxxFan unit.

• Push the two support legs out of the hinge to open the fan hood.

• Remove two small rubber pieces.

• Then fit the seal.

• Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly.

Then .... stand inside the motorhome revel in the reduced road noise and lack of draught from the fan!

Tomorrow I think I’ill be up there again giving the roof a good clean. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice I have white roof on a silver motorhome.

The white section is a Hymer optional GRP hail protection panel. However, there are so many openings up there; vents, roof windows, fan, satellite dish and (shortly) solar panels, that the chance of hail finding an uncovered section of roof would be pretty slim!

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