Some mechanical questions if I may

[monzer]

Van was in for a service today and I'd asked them to like for like the starter battery and change the reverse light bulbs which I forgot to do at the weekend.

They tested the battery and said it was fine so didn't change it. But these cold mornings we've been having I notice it's a tiny bit sluggish turning over plus the alarm beeps once which it never has done before. I took this as to be the battery on the way out so thought it fair to do it as it's atleast 4 years old.

1. Should I worry about the battery or just put it down to the change in temp?

2. No power getting to reverse lights. Now this van was in getting a new clutch at this garage a few weeks ago and ever since my reversing beeping sensors didn't work. I didn't click on at the time but could they have done something during fitting that's disconnected the reverse signal to the back of the van?

3. The radiator is leaking a little. Gonna need that fixed so what like a job is that to do?

4. Not as important but sump plate is down as advisory due to rust. Are they easy enough to take off and clean up?

2002 hymer B524 on a ducato chassis.

 

[Figaro]

1. Probably due to current low temperatures
2. It sounds likely they removed and didn't reconnect the switch wire on top of the gearbox. 2.8 JTD ? It's behing the air filter housing
3. My dad used to say break an egg in the radiator, lol don't do that, someone else will advise
4. I gave my sump a good scrape, rust treatment with Krust, red oxide and two coats of hammerite. If you can get down there, it's easy to do especially if you put the front wheels on levelling ramps. No need to remove to do it. If you did remove it you may as well replace it with new ?

 

[Phill D]

Do you dip the clutch on start up to take the weight of the gearbox off the battery ? i do it out of habit taught it in winter driving lessons in Norway.

that will help on the cold startup.

 

[monzer]

So would the switch wire be easy enough to get to in these things? Wish I'd clicked on at the time because there was an advisory for no reverse lights on the MOT they did but I didn't put 2 and 2 together, doh!

 

[monzer]

Do you dip the clutch on start up to take the weight of the gearbox off the battery ? i do it out of habit taught it in winter driving lessons in Norway.

that will help on the cold startup.

I used to do that all the time but have only recently weaned myself out of that habit as I thought it better practise not to do it. Guess I was wrong

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[Two on Tour]

Do you dip the clutch on start up to take the weight of the gearbox off the battery ? i do it out of habit taught it in winter driving lessons in Norway.

that will help on the cold startup.

Not just me then.

 

[gus-lopez]

I didn't click on at the time but could they have done something during fitting that's disconnected the reverse signal to the back of the van?

Yes they ave failed to reconnect the reversing light switch or ****ed it up-

Are they easy enough to take off and clean up?

If not to gad just anti rust treatment & repaint. if bad then a new sump is cheap as chips as they are nearly a consumable item

 

[Figaro]

So would the switch wire be easy enough to get to in these things? Wish I'd clicked on at the time because there was an advisory for no reverse lights on the MOT they did but I didn't put 2 and 2 together, doh!

You have to remove the air filter housing and the switch is then easily accessible on top of the gearbox.
Probably just needs the spade connector pushing on
Takes about half an hour to remove and reassemble

 

[pappajohn]

Radiator......try Radweld
Just pour it in and run to temperature.
It should prolong the rad a bit longer.

Best rad repair I ever saw was at a roadside cafe in South Africa.
Young family in a beaten up old car with a large radiator leak.
He pulled out the fins between the water tubes.
Then with pliers he squashed 3 or 4 tubes about 4 inches long where it was leaking then cut the tubes.
He then folded the squashed tubes back on themselves then folded and squashed again.
Filled with water and ran up to temperature.......not a leak in sight.
Amazing!

 

[pappajohn]

I used to do that all the time but have only recently weaned myself out of that habit as I thought it better practise not to do it. Guess I was wrong

My Hyundai won't crank unless the clutch is pressed.
All linked to stop/start.

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[Lenny HB]

Not just me then.

My car won't start unless you put the clutch right in, common on a lot of cars these days.

 

[Toady]

I find K seal is the best for the leaking radiator. Comes in two sizes. I have just used it on the car and sorted leak out straight away.

 

[Two on Tour]

My car won't start unless you put the clutch right in, common on a lot of cars these days.

Yes I'm aware of that, as it is required to start Yvette's BMW, but I have been doing this since I started driving as well as never riding the clutch at traffic lights and the like, ............... out of gear and handbrake on.

Another thing I was taught was when you are going to turn right, never have your steering turned to the right when waiting to turn, because if you are hit from the rear while waiting then you will be pushed across into the path of the oncoming traffic.

 

[Lenny HB]

but I have been doing this since I started driving

Me to been doing it since the 60's.

Another one, turning your wheels towards the kerb when parked on a hill. I think that is a legal requirement Germany, another one in Germany is must use wheel chocks when parked on a slope if over 3.5t.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Antifreeze will find any weakness in a cooling system once you have solved your leak refill with Antifreeze you should run with Antifreeze all year as it is anti corrosive and will help the longevity of the engine.

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[jockaneezer]

Not sure if this is an Old Wives tale or not, but if you're gonna put radweld type products in your cooling system, set your heater to cold, this stops any of the radweld getting into the heater's matrix which has smaller passages and might "clog" it up ? (unless of course it's the heater matrix that's leaking !)

 

[Landy Andy]

If you are concerned about your starter battery, and it’s four years old then I would change it. As long as you can afford a new battery which is about £100

The same with radiator. If it’s leaking it needs changing. Not chemicals that cause as many problems as cure. If on holiday you don’t want/need the stress of a failed part.

 

[tacr2man]

A new radiator is better than a new engine , as its very likely that you will cook it before you realise the coolants gone !

 

[L' Hobo]

Radiator......try Radweld
Just pour it in and run to temperature.
It should prolong the rad a bit longer.

Best rad repair I ever saw was at a roadside cafe in South Africa.
Young family in a beaten up old car with a large radiator leak.
He pulled out the fins between the water tubes.
Then with pliers he squashed 3 or 4 tubes about 4 inches long where it was leaking then cut the tubes.
He then folded the squashed tubes back on themselves then folded and squashed again.
Filled with water and ran up to temperature.......not a leak in sight.
Amazing!

In Australia, we would often use lots of chewing gum as a temporary measure, stuff it in the rad and release the cap slightly.
It would run hot but better than being stuck in the bush.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Don’t take a chance with the radiator just replace it or get a new core fitted I suspect today it is cheaper to just replace with a complete new unit.

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[monzer]

I wont change the battery. If they say it is good I'll put it down to the cold weather recently but I am booking it back in with them to replace the radiator and I told them that the reverse lights and beeping sensor haven't been working since they replaced the clutch. They said the wiring for that isn't disturbed when changing a clutch but they will have a look and see if a wire feed has been disconnected.

That leaves the sump plate which I can look at in our workshop at the weekend and a couple new tyres to get before I head off to somewhere sunnier later this month. Any recommendations? For tyres not somewhere warmer to go

Oh and does anyone know any where at all in the UK that likes to mess around with auto air con? I have a high pressure hose with a hole in it, can't get a new part, looks too contaminated to weld and I can't find anywhere who could make up a new hose.

 

[Redken]

Van was in for a service today and I'd asked them to like for like the starter battery and change the reverse light bulbs which I forgot to do at the weekend.

They tested the battery and said it was fine so didn't change it. But these cold mornings we've been having I notice it's a tiny bit sluggish turning over plus the alarm beeps once which it never has done before. I took this as to be the battery on the way out so thought it fair to do it as it's atleast 4 years old.

1. Should I worry about the battery or just put it down to the change in temp?

2. No power getting to reverse lights. Now this van was in getting a new clutch at this garage a few weeks ago and ever since my reversing beeping sensors didn't work. I didn't click on at the time but could they have done something during fitting that's disconnected the reverse signal to the back of the van?

3. The radiator is leaking a little. Gonna need that fixed so what like a job is that to do?

4. Not as important but sump plate is down as advisory due to rust. Are they easy enough to take off and clean up?

2002 hymer B524 on a ducato chassis.

Sump off eBay are a lot cheaper than om. Before fitting it, future proof it by painting with hammerite

 

[TheBig1]

A new radiator is not too expensive or hard to fit. You might want to change the cross member that supports it at the same time. They rust for fun and are only a few bolts to change. Battery is getting old, but a reconditioning charger will give you another year or two. Normal in winter to be slower turning on startup. Sump pan, if not leaking can be wire brushed and painted

 

[Two Owl Ones]

Van was in for a service today and I'd asked them to like for like the starter battery and change the reverse light bulbs which I forgot to do at the weekend.

They tested the battery and said it was fine so didn't change it. But these cold mornings we've been having I notice it's a tiny bit sluggish turning over plus the alarm beeps once which it never has done before. I took this as to be the battery on the way out so thought it fair to do it as it's atleast 4 years old.

1. Should I worry about the battery or just put it down to the change in temp?

2. No power getting to reverse lights. Now this van was in getting a new clutch at this garage a few weeks ago and ever since my reversing beeping sensors didn't work. I didn't click on at the time but could they have done something during fitting that's disconnected the reverse signal to the back of the van?

3. The radiator is leaking a little. Gonna need that fixed so what like a job is that to do?

4. Not as important but sump plate is down as advisory due to rust. Are they easy enough to take off and clean up?

2002 hymer B524 on a ducato chassis.

K-seal seems to be the go to cooling system sealer.. you may not need it if it is a perished hose or fractured plastic connector/ jubilee clip

 

[monzer]

Sump off eBay are a lot cheaper than om. Before fitting it, future proof it by painting with hammerite

I'm banned from ebay after we had a bit of a falling out.

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[A-Mech]

The sump or any other parts can be sent to this guy. He's called Will and super helpful. Check out his media.

The Refinishing Shop | Vapour Blasting | Carb Cleaning | Retford

Vapour blasting, ultrasonic cleaning and component restorations in Retford, Nottinghamshire. The Refinishing Shop also offers a 'post your parts' service across mainland UK.

www.refinishing-shop.co.uk

I sent him some BMW motorbike cylinder heads and I was really happy with the outcome. I sent by courier and he sent them back. 6 days in total. Total cost including carriage £80

Radweld, k-seal, eggs or any other additive is a sticking plaster for the leaking part. Like some people mention, change the radiator or core to perminately resolve the problem whilst breaking down is not preferable?

The alarm beep is low voltage warning, probably recognised whilst engine cranking(biggest load on battery cells)
If you can afford new battery then replace as you want the confidence of starting when you jump in and turn the key.
The midtronics tester(industry standard for automotive battery testing) may have passed battery test, but ambient temperature may of been good when tested? I would probably stick my neck out and say, you will have problems starting on cold morning, as cranking amapage required will increase on cold/ sub zero mornings.

Reversing lights probably just wiring/ switch on gearbox after checking the easy option of possible fuse.

 

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

Van was in for a service today and I'd asked them to like for like the starter battery and change the reverse light bulbs which I forgot to do at the weekend.

They tested the battery and said it was fine so didn't change it. But these cold mornings we've been having I notice it's a tiny bit sluggish turning over plus the alarm beeps once which it never has done before. I took this as to be the battery on the way out so thought it fair to do it as it's atleast 4 years old.

1. Should I worry about the battery or just put it down to the change in temp?

2. No power getting to reverse lights. Now this van was in getting a new clutch at this garage a few weeks ago and ever since my reversing beeping sensors didn't work. I didn't click on at the time but could they have done something during fitting that's disconnected the reverse signal to the back of the van?

3. The radiator is leaking a little. Gonna need that fixed so what like a job is that to do?

4. Not as important but sump plate is down as advisory due to rust. Are they easy enough to take off and clean up?

2002 hymer B524 on a ducato chassis.

1/Batteries will decrease in charge slowly, more so in colder climates, like mine 2023 Ducato dropped 25% so I use a trickle optimiser charger (Ring) off Ebay quite cheap. Leave it on in the daytime, not overnight just in case. Perhaps once a week, or 2 depending how fast it drops, alarm is the culprit, hence the bleep on start up. Keeps it to around 95% which is adequate.
2/ Does sound like your reverse light switch is disconnected, you may require a ramp or pit to access plug. A garage would check this for you, or if Mot due you could ask to check it then.
3/ Radiator leaks can cause a blown head gasket, so it's imperative to either seal or replace if corroded, as not worth the risk once you out on the road. You can use a temporary measure, like rad seal, steel seal etc untill you can get it repaired properly.
4/ Sump guard, probably better try and coat it with hammerite after wire brushing and rust treated in situe, as bolt's will also be rusty and likely to snap off. As long as it look's tidy ftom underneath you won't het any more advisories on it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure if this is an Old Wives tale or not, but if you're gonna put radweld type products in your cooling system, set your heater to cold, this stops any of the radweld getting into the heater's matrix which has smaller passages and might "clog" it up ? (unless of course it's the heater matrix that's leaking !)

That would only have any bearing if your vehicle was pre mid 1970's, in those days the heater temperature was controlled by a water flow tap.
No taps on modern vehicles heater temperatures is controlled by airflow over the matrix.

 

[Figaro]

I lost the freon gas from my air con recently. It turned out the high pressure line had been rubbing on the radiator frame and holed it.
I had a mobile guy out from national air con (franchise I think) he fixed it with by cutting and rejoining tube with a fitting and replaced the condenser as he said that was also weeping freon.
Unfortunately the repair fitting has failed and is leaking again. He's due to come tomorrow to fix but weather forecast is for rain and I'm expecting he'll cancel for another day when it's dry

 

[chaser]

Sorry posted to quick.