Two Go Back to France

[DBK]

One step forward then another pace or two back. We arrived at the garage this morning but they weren't expecting us. After a few phone calls we are now back at the campsite.

It seems the French organisation SAVE which the CMC use for breakdowns in France thought all we needed was a new battery, perhaps because the man driving the breakdown truck saw a battery symbol on the dashboard. Where they sent us this morning could have replaced the battery but they were not a repair garage who could tackle anything more complicated.

So now we are waiting for SAVE to find somewhere else.

All very annoying but things could be worse.

 

[MichaelT]

One step forward then another pace or two back. We arrived at the garage this morning but they weren't expecting us. After a few phone calls we are now back at the campsite.

It seems the French organisation SAVE which the CMC use for breakdowns in France thought all we needed was a new battery, perhaps because the man driving the breakdown truck saw a battery symbol on the dashboard. Where they sent us this morning could have replaced the battery but they were not a repair garage who could tackle anything more complicated.

So now we are waiting for SAVE to find somewhere else.

All very annoying but things could be worse.

How annoying

 

[gus-lopez]

I think there's nearly 30 pay booths on the right-hand side!

On the way to Germany in in august 2011 we came across a similar one with over 30 booths & the queue the other side i lost count after 17kms!!
Sorry to hear about the delay

 

[Jane And Rog]

One step forward then another pace or two back. We arrived at the garage this morning but they weren't expecting us. After a few phone calls we are now back at the campsite.

It seems the French organisation SAVE which the CMC use for breakdowns in France thought all we needed was a new battery, perhaps because the man driving the breakdown truck saw a battery symbol on the dashboard. Where they sent us this morning could have replaced the battery but they were not a repair garage who could tackle anything more complicated.

So now we are waiting for SAVE to find somewhere else.

All very annoying but things could be worse.

I find these things more annoying the shorter your planned trip. Back my working days, even a minor interruption to a 2 week holiday (my only long one of the year) was a big deal. With a couple of months away, we were able to put up with a few days' worth of repairs with equanimity.

Fingers crossed for a speedy fix.

 

[DBK]

It looks like we are going to be on this site for some time. The CMC have told me their French "partners" SAVE Assistance can't find anywhere which can take us in a reasonable time frame. However, a French speaker at CMC has found a Fiat Professional garage which will take us but we won't find out until tomorrow afternoon when this might be as the garage has asked to be rung back then for the answer.

Meanwhile, I've discovered the fault is a failed alternator drive belt. There is a cover across the bottom of the engine compartment and I've managed to photograph it lying down there.

All my fault of course as I don't think this belt has been changed when it should have been. I use a local garage for servicing but I don't remember this ever being done. With 65,000 miles done I suspect it should been changed.

I didn't think it was the belt as everything else is working fine but I discovered there are two belts, one drives the A/C, steering pump and I think the water pump. The other belt only drives the alternator. The problem is neither belt has been changed so the other one is also probably on its last legs.

I have looked at doing the job myself but the problem is the lack of space underneath. It might be possible with ramps or parking it on a high curb but given the other belt, which is trickier to change, is also likely to fail my preferred route is to get someone to replace both and the tensioner at the same time. Only the alternator belt has a tensioner, the other one is stretched into place.

I'll know better this time tomorrow how long the wait is going to be which may influence me to look again at the DIY option.

Alternatively, we'll rent a car for a week or so and do day trips from here.

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[Manic]

That’s good , at least it won’t be as expensive as alternator.
Hope you get fixed quickly, any garage should be capable of doing that.

 

[MichaelT]

It looks like we are going to be on this site for some time. The CMC have told me their French "partners" SAVE Assistance can't find anywhere which can take us in a reasonable time frame. However, a French speaker at CMC has found a Fiat Professional garage which will take us but we won't find out until tomorrow afternoon when this might be as the garage has asked to be rung back then for the answer.

Meanwhile, I've discovered the fault is a failed alternator drive belt. There is a cover across the bottom of the engine compartment and I've managed to photograph it lying down there. View attachment 951228

All my fault of course as I don't think this belt has been changed when it should have been. I use a local garage for servicing but I don't remember this ever being done. With 65,000 miles done I suspect it should been changed.

I didn't think it was the belt as everything else is working fine but I discovered there are two belts, one drives the A/C, steering pump and I think the water pump. The other belt only drives the alternator. The problem is neither belt has been changed so the other one is also probably on its last legs.

I have looked at doing the job myself but the problem is the lack of space underneath. It might be possible with ramps or parking it on a high curb but given the other belt, which is trickier to change, is also likely to fail my preferred route is to get someone to replace both and the tensioner at the same time. Only the alternator belt has a tensioner, the other one is stretched into place.

I'll know better this time tomorrow how long the wait is going to be which may influence me to look again at the DIY option.

Alternatively, we'll rent a car for a week or so and do day trips from here.

Is there the equivalent of a Halford or even tyre and exhaust places should be able to do this simple job?

 

[Boldly]

Are there no mobile mechanics in that part of France?
Easy earner I would have thought.

 

[DBK]

Is there the equivalent of a Halford or even tyre and exhaust places should be able to do this simple job?

I haven't looked at that yet, I did think a mobile mechanic could do it using ramps. I'll put off any more thinking until we have a confirmed date. There's a lot to see in Toulouse including the aerospace museum and by hiring a car we should get to see Carcassonne which was the reason we were in this part of France. There's a hire car place close by which has Fiat 500s for €49 a day which sounds a fun option. It's the hanging around which is the pain, if we can get out exploring things will be much better.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's a relief a nice easy job that any garage should be able to do.

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[DBK]

Are there no mobile mechanics in that part of France?
Easy earner I would have thought.

Yes I believe so but I'm going to see how long we have to wait for the garage first.

 

[DBK]

That's a relief a nice easy job that any garage should be able to do.

It is an easy job but finding a garage is the problem. At least we are not an A Class which I suspect would make it an engine out job.

 

[Orion]

No chance of rigging up a Heath-Robinson hamster wheel type contraption so Charlie can get the alternator spinning?

 

[Landy Andy]

I'll know better this time tomorrow how long the wait is going to be which may influence me to look again at the DIY option.

Fitting the alternator belt will be simple, the A/C drive belt is a pain, being a stretch belt, but doable, and possibly you could just leave it off if not hot over there. If you are changing Alt belt, then don’t reuse the A/C stretch belt, replace that too. Normally you would have new belts when cambelt is done.

 

[DBK]

Fitting the alternator belt will be simple, the A/C drive belt is a pain, being a stretch belt, but doable, and possibly you could just leave it off if not hot over there. If you are changing Alt belt, then don’t reuse the A/C stretch belt, replace that too. Normally you would have new belts when cambelt is done.

Do you know if the stretchy belt also runs the water pump? I understand it runs the A/C and steering pump which I could probably get away without - but obviously not the water pump. It's a 3.0 from 2013.

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[Landy Andy]

The water pump is driven by the cam belt. He stretch belt does A/C only.

Above info is on a 2.3 not 3ltr.

 

[DBK]

The water pump is driven by the cam belt. He stretch belt does A/C only.

Above info is on a 2.3 not 3ltr.

Many thanks, the 3.0 has a chain cam so I suspect the stretchy belt must do the water pump on this engine.

 

[funflair]

It is an easy job but finding a garage is the problem. At least we are not an A Class which I suspect would make it an engine out job.

All our belts were done at the 4 years service, no drama we are North South engine if that makes a difference though.

 

[DBK]

All our belts were done at the 4 years service, no drama we are North South engine if that makes a difference though.

I guess it's down to access. I know nothing about A Class MHs so probably shouldn't have said anything.

 

[Ingwe]

Sorry to learn of the cock-up with the garage and work needing to be done. Hope it all resolves soon and at minimum cost. Impressed with your attitude of turning a problem into an opportunity to sight see in Toulouse. Not sure I’d be as sanguine but at the end of the day, what else can you do? Getting angry and/or frustrated isn’t constructive and alters nothing.
Fingers’ crossed all is well.

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[Landy Andy]

Many thanks, the 3.0 has a chain cam so I suspect the stretchy belt must do the water pump on this engine.

Looking into this it looks like your water pump is driven on the alternator belt. The stretch belt is only A/C (like the 2.3) possibly due to it being an optional extra, not a basic requirement. But to change the alternator belt possibly involves supporting your engine and removing the engine mount to get access.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Good luck tomorrow.

 

[Landy Andy]

With A/C

 

[Kilroy]

I haven't looked at that yet, I did think a mobile mechanic could do it using ramps. I'll put off any more thinking until we have a confirmed date. There's a lot to see in Toulouse including the aerospace museum and by hiring a car we should get to see Carcassonne which was the reason we were in this part of France. There's a hire car place close by which has Fiat 500s for €49 a day which sounds a fun option. It's the hanging around which is the pain, if we can get out exploring things will be much better.

Toulouse is great city to walk around & explore for a couple of days. Some very interesting churches, my favourite being La Daurade with a black Madonna, St Sernin, les Jacobins…. Lots of galleries and nice cafes in the various squares & also by the Garonne. Gardens and parks also…
Carcasonne is very pleasant too for a couple of days.. Good luck!

 

[Just smiffy]

As Landy Andy shows aircon belt is only for the ac the other belt is fairly easy to do as long as it’s on a ramp and lift..

But it shouldn’t be too many €’s …. A lot less then a new alternator and I’d try to get them to do the ac belt too while there at it…

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[DBK]

Looking into this it looks like your water pump is driven on the alternator belt. The stretch belt is only A/C (like the 2.3) possibly due to it being an optional extra, not a basic requirement. But to change the alternator belt possibly involves supporting your engine and removing the engine mount to get access.

View attachment 951335

That's curious as the temp gauge has been steady while driving. I would have expected it to overheat quickly if the water pump wasn't working.
Post #8 on this thread shows a diagram for the 3.0l but it still doesn't show the water pump unless it is the item marked G but I think it's just an idler.

Serpentine Belt Diagram for Fiat Ducato (2008) Truck based MH

Hi all, apologies if this question has been asked/discussed before. Does anyone have or know where I can see how a serpentine belt for a Fiat Ducato Truck based motorhome is fitted. The original belt is in pieces, and we are having trouble fitting the new one. Any help or suggestions greatly...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Googlebot]

I don’t think it’s a big job, Dave Newell changed our auxiliary belts when he did the cam belt on ours earlier in the year. I think it only took him about 4 hours for the lot, just a drive belt shouldn’t be that long.

He even gave me the old belts and advised to keep them in the van. Should I ever lose one, he said the AA could just lob the old one on to get me going. It can’t be that difficult if they can do it at the roadside.

The above was for a 2.3l A class.

Good luck and hope it’s sorted quickly. My experience over there when I have had issues is that they understand it’s a motorhome and you need it sort g quickly.

 

[Googlebot]

That's curious as the temp gauge has been steady while driving. I would have expected it to overheat quickly if the water pump wasn't working.
Post #8 on this thread shows a diagram for the 3.0l but it still doesn't show the water pump unless it is the item marked G but I think it's just an idler.

Serpentine Belt Diagram for Fiat Ducato (2008) Truck based MH

Hi all, apologies if this question has been asked/discussed before. Does anyone have or know where I can see how a serpentine belt for a Fiat Ducato Truck based motorhome is fitted. The original belt is in pieces, and we are having trouble fitting the new one. Any help or suggestions greatly...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I once threw a water pump and alternator belt on a van at work. It overheated in about 2 minutes so I suspect you are right.

 

[Landy Andy]

Post #8 on this thread shows a diagram for the 3.0l but it still doesn't show the water pump unless it is the item marked G but I think it's just an idler

This is water pump.

 

[Landy Andy]

Water pump as above.

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