Our new motorhome is getting us really stressed

[wigster]

Maybe, i am just thinking if there has been problems with overheating and oil leaks ect and having spent 100k+ i would be asking for a new engine at least to put the vehicle back in the situation that you would be in picking it up new again .

 

[tonyidle]

Here what you’re saying. I don’t know how they’ve come to this conclusion. They said oil is present through the plug after about 15mins running. The engine hasn’t been removed yet so may be more to learn?

This is a common misconception. Core plugs are used for three reasons: the first (and where the name comes from) is to remove casting 'cores' from otherwise closed internal voids (like coolant passages); the second is to close off one end of a line boring (for example a camshaft gallery on non-OHC engines; the third is to close off the unused end of a drilling - maybe an oil gallery or similar. The last two are likely to leak oil if incorrectly installed or missing. The one thing that they have never been designed to do is protect an engine block from frost damage! If an engine freezes they are often the first thing to pop which is probably how the myth began.

Edit: Sorry stevel2 - my post wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. I quoted a post that talked about core plugs & your few words were at the end of it.

 

[MichaelT]

Maybe, i am just thinking if there has been problems with overheating and oil leaks ect and having spent 100k+ i would be asking for a new engine at least to put the vehicle back in the situation that you would be in picking it up new again .

It doesn't matter if you spent 50k, 100k or a million the base vehicle is generally the same Fiat so how much you spend doesn't enter the equation, it was just put luck where the engine ended up.

Glad it's getting sorted.

 

[Silver-Fox]

If you have oil appearing from a water way ie from a core plug, you have issues.

No where on an engine should oil and water mix.

Will be interesting to find out what is going on.

 

[tonyidle]

If you have oil appearing from a water way ie from a core plug, you have issues.

No where on an engine should oil and water mix.

Will be interesting to find out what is going on.

As I said in a previous post 'core' plugs are used for purposes other than closing holes in the water jacket.

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[Lenny HB]

This is a common misconception. Core plugs are used for three reasons: the first (and where the name comes from) is to remove casting 'cores' from otherwise closed internal voids (like coolant passages); the second is to close off one end of a line boring (for example a camshaft gallery on non-OHC engines; the third is to close off the unused end of a drilling - maybe an oil gallery or similar. The last two are likely to leak oil if incorrectly installed or missing. The one thing that they have never been designed to do is protect an engine block from frost damage! If an engine freezes they are often the first thing to pop which is probably how the myth began.

Pleased you said that Tony, never heard all that rubbish about protecting the block before, it's just down to casting techniques.

 

[Rob Hammond]

If the head gasket had gone would it not be noticed with the exhaust?

Do like your profile pic what dog is it ?

 

[Deneb]

This is a common misconception. Core plugs are used for three reasons: the first (and where the name comes from) is to remove casting 'cores' from otherwise closed internal voids (like coolant passages); the second is to close off one end of a line boring (for example a camshaft gallery on non-OHC engines; the third is to close off the unused end of a drilling - maybe an oil gallery or similar. The last two are likely to leak oil if incorrectly installed or missing. The one thing that they have never been designed to do is protect an engine block from frost damage! If an engine freezes they are often the first thing to pop which is probably how the myth began.

Edit: Sorry stevel2 - my post wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. I quoted a post that talked about core plugs & your few words were at the end of it.

"Engine Core Plugs

Core plugs are present in the engine cooling jacket for the following reasons:

1 They may blank off the holes left by the jacket cores during casting.
2 They may be removed for cleaning out corrosive deposits from the jacket
3 In the event of freezing the core plugs may be forced out, thereby reducing the risk of cracking the jacket.

They may be of either the Welch Plug, drawn steel cup or, less commonly, the screwed plug variety. The first and second types are respectively expanded and pressed into core holes that have been machined to size."

Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Nunney, M. J., ISBN 0 7506 0477 8

One of the textbooks issued to me for my various City and Guilds and BTEC courses in construction and use of motor vehicles, and motor vehicle engineering and technology.

 

[thebriars]

Going back to the right to reject.

Its easy to look at the actual legislation for the Consumer Rights Act, and mostly it is written in very readable English, unlike most statutes.

However, its very easy to say, take it back, I want my money back without considering everything.

Firstly, there are a few riders in the CRA that can make life difficult. The cost of repair has to be balanced against the original cost is just one issue.

Secondly, on a more personal note one has to consider the repair(s) needed. In the case of my caravan it would have required the roof and one side wall removing to make a decent job of it, plus most of the cupboard doors replacing. Assuming all this was done, I would have had a very second hand caravan that had had just a month's use. Add to that a waiting period of several months for workshop time, and for obtaining spares. On top of that, there would be no guarantee that the same problems would not occur again. After all, the manufacturer still did not know the cause of the roof collapsing even several months later, and my van was not the only one to suffer from this. These three factors made rejecting a no-brainer.

On the other hand, the OPs motorhome can be made as good as new. The engine is simply bolted in and once repaired nobody would ever know, and it should last as long as the rest of the motorhome.

Its good that in this case the dealership has acted very responsibly and offered a replacement while the van is being repaired. While not ideal, it does at least make the best of a bad situation.

 

[cornish boy]

"Engine Core Plugs

Core plugs are present in the engine cooling jacket for the following reasons:

1 They may blank off the holes left by the jacket cores during casting.
2 They may be removed for cleaning out corrosive deposits from the jacket
3 In the event of freezing the core plugs may be forced out, thereby reducing the risk of cracking the jacket.

They may be of either the Welch Plug, drawn steel cup or, less commonly, the screwed plug variety. The first and second types are respectively expanded and pressed into core holes that have been machined to size."

Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Nunney, M. J., ISBN 0 7506 0477 8

One of the textbooks issued to me for my various City and Guilds and BTEC courses in construction and use of motor vehicles, and motor vehicle engineering and technology.

I read this one but unfortunately I am still skint...

How to Make a Million Before Lunch, Rachel Bridge
ISBN-10: 0753539578



In all seriousness, when I studied Agricultural Engineering at College 35 years ago, we visited the Perkins factory and the design guys there pointed out that core plugs were used as a result of their manufacturing processes and that it was antifreeze that prevented cracked blocks.

The John Deere engine plant at Saran gave a similar story when visiting there.

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[Silver-Fox]

As I said in a previous post 'core' plugs are used for purposes other than closing holes in the water jacket.

Yep I read it.

Now my memory may have failed me but I don’t remember ever seeing a core plug being used in anything other than the water jacket.

I’m happy to be corrected.
I will add any engines I had dealings with were made for cars.

 

[Misterg]

I don’t remember ever seeing a core plug being used in anything other than the water jacket.

They are present for exactly the reasons that tonyidle said.

By way of example:

Genuine Volvo D5 Engines (D5244Txx) Rear Oil Gallery Core Plug

Rear Oil Gallery Core Plug to fit: Volvo S60 2001 up to 2009, S80 1999 up to 2006 and V70 II 2000 up to 2008 Vehicles with D5 and 2.4D engine variants, with engine types beginning D5244T. Manufacturer Information: Genuine Volvo parts are specifically designed and manufactured to seamlessly...

www.partsmonster.co.uk

0650566 Perkins Oil Gallery Plug 11/16 | Noordeman Diesel

Oil Gallery core plug requires 2

www.noordeman.com.au

Oil Gallery Core Plug Front of Block 16mm 24615194

24615194

www.ferraripartsexchange.com

Core Plug For Oil Gallery 14.2mm X 8.8mm

Aluminium core plug for oil gallery.14.2mm x 8.8mmGenuine VWSold each

www.coolairvw.co.uk

I sympathise with the OP (gearbox failure at 2000 miles) but these things can be fixed and there is no reason (currently) to think there will be any long term effects.

 

[Yorick]

I've followed most of this with a keen interest

But, and there's always a but. Sorry...

It's been a lovely day and as you do I had a few cheap sherbets at €1.40 a pint, and we had a lovely day. Some pals got a bit sunburnt, but us locals put on the suncream.

Oh yes, back to the story


If I bought a £100,000 Porsche, and it had an oil leak in 1,500 miles, it would be straight back in the shop accompanied by the family solicitor. And probably the nosey neighbours. They are terrible. Sorry I could tell you a few tales about them. But we must move on..

If you get a Friday engine, it will always be a Friday engine. Beware

 

[Silver-Fox]

They are present for exactly the reasons that @tonyidle said.

Every days a school day.

I still think there's a serious issue but hope to be proved wrong.

 

[Minxy]

If there is a serious issue, there's no way I'd have the engine repaired, I'd want a totally new one.

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[mitzimad]

my bet would be on the engine cooking with the first coolant loss which has warped the head and is now leaking either or both oil and water under pressure

 

[stevel2]

Do like your profile pic what dog is it ?

Thanks. She’s a cocker spaniel. Show type - not working. And my best mate

 

[stevel2]

my bet would be on the engine cooking with the first coolant loss which has warped the head and is now leaking either or both oil and water under pressure

I’m really hoping you’re not right but I can’t say that I’m not worried that you are. The thought that we would get caught in a ‘who’s to blame’ game between Adria and Fiat would be an absolute nightmare.
The initial problem was such a stupid production mistake.

 

[Rob Hammond]

Thanks. She’s a cocker spaniel. Show type - not working. And my best mate

Same here ,mine won’t leave my side,love him to bits

 

[chaser]

I’m really hoping you’re not right but I can’t say that I’m not worried that you are. The thought that we would get caught in a ‘who’s to blame’ game between Adria and Fiat would be an absolute nightmare.
The initial problem was such a stupid production mistake.

whatever it is , just think if they patch it up this time but there is some underlying fault that causes problems again when its out of warrenty you are then on your own.
repaired aint new.

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[cornish boy]

whatever it is , just think if they patch it up this time but there is some underlying fault that causes problems again when its out of warrenty you are then on your own.
repaired aint new.

 

[chaser]

View attachment 310960

is that catching the oil leak?

 

[Bart]

Surely after the heating hose came off and some of the coolant was lost which was the topped up after the problem was fixed as the op was totally aware of this they would of therefor been monitoring the temps, so if this is the way things happened then how could the head get warped??
My guess is the coolant leak and the oil leak are two different problems.... I HOPE!!!!

 

[Trout bum]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma first thing I would ask is why at such low mileage has this happened ( that's if it is the head gasket ) and Fiat I would hope would not take to kindly to one of their workshops not wanting to work on your vehicle doesn't matter what size or how valuable it is it's still their make of vehicle , be strong with them , I hope you get it all sorted out and have a great holiday with no more mishaps ?

 

[Minxy]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma first thing I would ask is why at such low mileage has this happened ( that's if it is the head gasket ) and Fiat I would hope would not take to kindly to one of their workshops not wanting to work on your vehicle doesn't matter what size or how valuable it is it's still their make of vehicle , be strong with them , I hope you get it all sorted out and have a great holiday with no more mishaps ?

Whilst annoying I certainly wouldn't want to 'force' someone to work on a vehicle they didn't want to ... not my pride any joy anyway!

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[Pausim]

Have you taken out the extra 3 years Fiat warranty? If not and you are worried about future reliability perhaps you could persuade Fiat and/or your dealer to fund the extension as a show of goodwill. It might help to point out that a lot of worried motorhome enthusiasts are following your progress online and that a significant gesture of goodwill might help reassure us all.

 

[stevel2]

Have you taken out the extra 3 years Fiat warranty? If not and you are worried about future reliability perhaps you could persuade Fiat and/or your dealer to fund the extension as a show of goodwill. It might help to point out that a lot of worried motorhome enthusiasts are following your progress online and that a significant gesture of goodwill might help reassure us all.

Hi. So first of all thanks to everyone who has contributed to this chat. There’s been some really helpful comments made. We’re currently down in the Ardeche area having been lent a motorhome by our dealer Dinmore Leisure, who have been great.
After the initial heater hose failure I had been monitoring fluid levels very carefully and there didn’t seem an issue. So I think this problem has happened very late on - probably when we were driving back from Cornwall just as were getting our confidence back!!??
I’m still confused as to what has actually failed. I’m told there are also core plugs on the oil side whereas I thought they were only on the water side. Every days a school day.
We had taken out the extra warranty so that should at least be some comfort.
So we’re looking forward to a couple of weeks chill and trying to not think about our motorhome.
Thanks again to everyone
Steve

 

[Southdowners]

Good to hear that things are being resolved with your vehicle and that you’ve been loaned another by the dealer.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[DavidG58]

Pleased you have got away?

Is the borrowed one being driven on the dealers insurance?

 

[fifthwheel]

Good to hear there are still good dealers out there. Well done Dinmore Leisure

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