Newbee seeking mechanical servicing advice for old Hymer

[stevewagner]

Interesting , i suggest you re-read that post again , my actual words were ;

Actually it was more of a metering device , but it used the same principle as a carb . I'm not quite sure why you continue on to recite the 4 stroke cycle though .

Yep , now you actually pricked my interest here , so i google it myself , and find you are quite correct . It is Turbo Direct Injection , actually it does sound better as well , i stand corrected !

Don’t need to re-read the post as its nothing like a carburettor.

 

[Itsmcb]

Okay well first off , it's difficult to have a schedule as i've found , on a twenty year old van , one job can quickly lead into another . An example of this , was my own rear wheel bearings . Dismantling the nearside rear hub i discovered a wet patch inside , on the axle hub . I rapidly found this was caused by a leaking wheel cylinder . Corrosion lead to a complete overhaul of the rear brakes , whereby everything on the rear axle was replaced . In for a penny , in for a pound i ended up replacing everything from the fuel tank back . The original job was planned for a weekend , but ended up taking a total of around three weeks as i didn't have the necessary brake pipe in stock (i make my own brake pipes) , plus had to order wheel cylinders , brake proportion valve , and flexible rear hose , along with new shoes and adjusters . The job also included releasing a seized handbrake adjuster , a complete change of fluid , and of course the original job , wheel bearings . The result was a 3 ton van , literally jumping out of the test rollers , taking the tester completely by surprise . Needless to say , it passed it's mot . Another problem is spares , i have just done a full cooling system rebuild which took close on a year to complete . Parts were difficult to source , with some parts listed on the suppliers computer , totally different to what i actually had fitted .
So what would i advise , well change the fluids especially the oil regularly . I do mine twice a year , new filter every time . I also change the air and fuel filters at the start of each year . It is a bit over the top , i admit , but during this work , i am inspecting the vehicle for any developing problems . My van is an A class , with all the access issues that brings . Yet i get my head and shoulders right into the engine bay . Now because my body is often blocking the light , i have both electric , and battery inspection lights . I examine every square inch i can see , then get under the thing , and do it all again . Anything i don't like is noted , brakes and steering is instant attention . Lubricate any pivots , hinges , etc , not forgetting the wiper swivels .
At the end of the year , i prepare the van for mot . Now this is quite a brutal inspection , and over the years i have learnt what to look for , but i'm still no expert . Wheels are removed , tyres are cleaned and inspected . I brutally test swivel pins , seals , steering components , and suspension . Test for play in the steering , examine the braking system under pressure for leaks . Pressure wash the inner wings , engine bay , and underside , actually i would advise this being done first . Lubricate and grease where needed . When i purchased the van i found the belly pan missing , this was the first thing i brought . It keeps all the crap and s**!? from the roads out of the engine bay . So cuts down corrosion , hence also premature wear , and helps keep the lubricating oils and grease where it should be . I leave the belly pan off for the mot inspection , the only time it is left off . I'm not trying to hide anything . My guy also acts like a second pair of eyes , if he see something , he points it out , and i deal with it . He even allows me under the vehicle while it's on the lift , and he's inspecting , knowing i'm inspecting as well . On one test i had , the inspector took one look under the car , and said it's not worth me looking under there . Laughing i asked him why ? , to which he replied it's all new . Well yeah it was , i had done a lot of work under there , but the car was actually 20 years old . It's 27 this year , and yes i still have it .
Now winding this up , the first thing i advise new mechanics to do is clean the engine . This is a good way for newbees to get to know their vehicle , but at the same time you get to know what goes where , and often does what . Because your cleaning , you are in a way inspecting , so really should it just be newbees . I mean like , nothing beats working on a clean motor does it ?

That's a very detailed answer, thank you.

 

[airwave]

That's a very detailed answer, thank you.

Glad it's of some help . To be honest , the problem with an old van , is thing's will break , often through old age . They are better built than their modern counterparts , but you still must keep an eye on what's going on . In the case of these vehicles , the engine is pretty much bullet proof . It's a commercial vehicle , built for high mileage . It's the external parts that will let you down , and the most likely thing to go , is engine cooling . It's often abused maintenance wise . Coolant is checked , sometimes topped up , only very rarely changed . Brakes closely followed by steering come next , these fluid are almost never changed . Case of if it ent broke , don't fix it comes to mind , and this is how the damage is done . Maybe surprisingly , the transmission is next , and this can be seriously abused . I have come across vehicles that have never had the fluid levels checked , let alone changed . If any of these bits break , i end up with a very expensive caravan , worst yet , a caravan that can't move .
Earlier this year i inspected the steering system , and found some serious corrosion on all three of the metal pipes fitted to the rack . Though these pipes are not leaking , due to the pressure involved , they could give out at any time . I have little doubt this corrosion , like some parts replaced on the cooling system , was probably caused by the lack of belly pan . It has taken some time , but i have now sourced all the parts i need , so shortly , this work will join the other completed work , leaving my todo list under the bonnet all but empty . I have a long road trip planned due to an event shortly before covid kicked off . I need to know , my van will complete it . However , thanks to covid , i've managed to moved on to preventive maintenance , my to do list is shortening everyday .