We are stuck need help **URGENT**

Jim!!!! Could we have a special membership award to people like Yodeli for going above and beyond (missing lunch to help 😀 ) their call of duty, ie: Ambassador member !!!!! Surly Yodeli deserves this accolade with her unselfish performance now and in the past for Mhf members in distress in France 🇫🇷!!!!!!!!!
 
flatpackchicken said:
Jim!!!! Could we have a special membership award to people like Yodeli for going above and beyond (missing lunch to help 😀 ) their call of duty, ie: Ambassador member !!!!! Surly Yodeli deserves this accolade with her unselfish performance now and in the past for Mhf members in distress in France 🇫🇷!!!!!!!!!
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Like a Knighthood? I completely agree,

I award her one Star of David for Services to Motorhomers in trouble.

🌟
 
flatpackchicken said:
Jim!!!! Could we have a special membership award to people like Yodeli for going above and beyond (missing lunch to help 😀 ) their call of duty, ie: Ambassador member !!!!! Surly Yodeli deserves this accolade with her unselfish performance now and in the past for Mhf members in distress in France 🇫🇷!!!!!!!!!
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I did eat in the end though!! :whistle2:
 
She really is a special person.
I remember all the help and advice she personally gave me and many others when the great exodus was on from Europe when the pandemic hit.
Great attitude, advice and an air of calmness are just some of her qualities.
 
Surely you have to donate an urn for the tea tent to get an Extra Special Member award? Yodeli should get the " SUPER HERO" Fun award.

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I also extend thanks to every single member of this forum. I’ve never seen a forum that is so helpful and full of awesome people. Looking forward to meeting you all soon.

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tonyidle said:
It sounds much more like a failed oil cooler than head gasket. There are very few, if any, ways a failed head gasket could cause total oil loss.
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On another vehicle, a Grand Espace, I managed to bypass the oil cooler by fitting a piece of hydraulic pipe between the oil inlet and exit to the oil cooler in front of the radiator after accidently hitting a Pheasant which put a small hole in it.
It saved me nearly a £1000 (which what Renault main dealers quoted me to replace it) and, it improved my fuel consumption by 2 mpg but only raised the vehicle water temperature by a few degrees. It lasted 7 yrs (probably longer) until I sold it.
It might be worth a try if that turns out to be the problem? 🤔
 
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Glad you are on your way home safe & sound, and the van is in safe hands....or is it?
With a paint job like that they may ship it to Ukraine!;):giggle:
Sorry couldn't resist, really hope the van is fixed quickly & inexpensively, and you are back on the road soon. Please keep us posted on the outcome.(y)
LES

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L' Hobo said:
On another vehicle, a Grand Espace, I managed to bypass the oil cooler by fitting a piece of hydraulic pipe between the oil inlet and exit to the oil cooler in front of the radiator after accidently hitting a Pheasant which put a small hole in it.
It saved me nearly a £1000 (which what Renault main dealers quoted me to replace it) and, it improved my fuel consumption by 2 mpg but only raised the vehicle water temperature by a few degrees. It lasted 7 yrs (probably longer) until I sold it.
It might be worth a try if that turns out to be the problem? 🤔
Click to expand...
Right yes well, about that. We took it to a French garage and explained the situation. The (French) guy took one look at it and said “it needs an engine replacement” the engine is not in visibly poor condition. I mean, of course he said that. Englishman stuck with a serious problem with only other option being to repatriate the vehicle which costs $$$$. We’ve got him over a barrel lads. Let’s go. My first choice was to take it home to a trusted mechanic and we may still yet choose that option. From Le Mans to Caen the tow truck wanted 1400 euros. He would have dropped it on the ferry to Portsmouth (2 hour drive probably plus 1 hour loading). Then at the UK side we had OWL recovery quote us £250 to take it to my trusted garage which was about a 2 hour drive away.

So the French tow truck wanted 1400 euros for 3 hours work and the British one wanted £250 for 2 hours work. Hmmmm do you see a theme here?

So the total cost to repatriate is £1450 at the current exchange rate. OWL confirmed that they do this all the time.

The guy explained to me that he has one customer with a MK7 transit that has 1,000,000 KM on the clock. He said he has him back every 18 months a for an engine replacement. I asked him how much it will cost and he said he will get a quote. I smell BS. He should know ballpark figure.

Also maybe considering an engine upgrade to a more powerful, ULEZ compliant motor so may just end up repatriating in any case.
 
poindexter said:
Right yes well, about that. We took it to a French garage and explained the situation. The (French) guy took one look at it and said “it needs an engine replacement” the engine is not in visibly poor condition. I mean, of course he said that. Englishman stuck with a serious problem with only other option being to repatriate the vehicle which costs $$$$. We’ve got him over a barrel lads. Let’s go. My first choice was to take it home to a trusted mechanic and we may still yet choose that option. From Le Mans to Caen the tow truck wanted 1400 euros. He would have dropped it on the ferry to Portsmouth (2 hour drive probably plus 1 hour loading). Then at the UK side we had OWL recovery quote us £250 to take it to my trusted garage which was about a 2 hour drive away.

So the French tow truck wanted 1400 euros for 3 hours work and the British one wanted £250 for 2 hours work. Hmmmm do you see a theme here?

So the total cost to repatriate is £1450 at the current exchange rate. OWL confirmed that they do this all the time.

The guy explained to me that he has one customer with a MK7 transit that has 1,000,000 KM on the clock. He said he has him back every 18 months a for an engine replacement. I asked him how much it will cost and he said he will get a quote. I smell BS. He should know ballpark figure.

Also maybe considering an engine upgrade to a more powerful, ULEZ compliant motor so may just end up repatriating in any case.
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Please do not take my post the wrong way, I was not inferring that you were being ripped off as I have always found the French to be helpful & trustworthy as long as you respect that, at times, their way of life/working is different.
I understand that you are under stress and don't understand the language but Google Translate (or something similar) is your friend, use it with a smile and a shrug and the word 'Merci' goes a long way but remember, it's the French holiday season and the garage that yodeli has found you has, probably, plenty of other lucrative work so, be patient, be polite and make your own decisions. Good Luck! 🤞
 
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poindexter said:
Right yes well, about that. We took it to a French garage and explained the situation. The (French) guy took one look at it and said “it needs an engine replacement” the engine is not in visibly poor condition. I mean, of course he said that. Englishman stuck with a serious problem with only other option being to repatriate the vehicle which costs $$$$. We’ve got him over a barrel lads. Let’s go. My first choice was to take it home to a trusted mechanic and we may still yet choose that option. From Le Mans to Caen the tow truck wanted 1400 euros. He would have dropped it on the ferry to Portsmouth (2 hour drive probably plus 1 hour loading). Then at the UK side we had OWL recovery quote us £250 to take it to my trusted garage which was about a 2 hour drive away.

So the French tow truck wanted 1400 euros for 3 hours work and the British one wanted £250 for 2 hours work. Hmmmm do you see a theme here?

So the total cost to repatriate is £1450 at the current exchange rate. OWL confirmed that they do this all the time.

The guy explained to me that he has one customer with a MK7 transit that has 1,000,000 KM on the clock. He said he has him back every 18 months a for an engine replacement. I asked him how much it will cost and he said he will get a quote. I smell BS. He should know ballpark figure.

Also maybe considering an engine upgrade to a more powerful, ULEZ compliant motor so may just end up repatriating in any case.
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It's not 3 hours work, the vehicle has to get to home location much the same as a taxi no return journey your paying both ways.

Wages are higher in france, and breakdown insurance critical, I have just renewed mine and many were pointless for my vehicle use.

Your lucky we have yodeli to step up and help the best breakdown service both emotionally and practically

A very valued and helpful.member of the funster family
 
poindexter

The point as I told you previously was really to give you more time to choose whatever you wanted, and that was only possible with 1) a mechanical diagnosis 2) the quote for it to be fixed 3) how long it would take.
Your major prob was to get sorted quickly as you had to go back to UK for your work and didn't know what to do with the van . So now... you are back to the UK and of course your mind is a tad more peaceful . You'll be able to talk to the people you are used to, and make the choice that suits YOU. Funsters will give you advice according to the way they like things to be sorted. Advice is always good to listen to, but you are the one who will take the final decision. And just for that I'm happy things could be done quickly, + van is safe. Don't forget that they will probably ask for a pension fee for your van , just as the trailer told me in case it would stay at their place. If my memory serves me right it was around 15 euros a day. You'll have also something to pay for the time they took to make a diagnosis. If you need me to get in touch with them for more info, you have my number (as many funsters....LOL ! I keep giving it in public!! )

As for Chris ... he is a bit of a cheeky monkey that one! French people , as he says , are not his.... cuppa. I seem to be the drop of milk which makes it taste a bit better, but you are mistaken, if you think I am the ice on tea... There can't be any ice on tea, that's all :whistle2: :whistle2: :rofl::lipssealed:

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I can only agree with everyone on here that yodeli should have some sort of recognition, I have not met a lot of people on here in person but she is one we have met, and you would have to go a very long way to meet a nicer person.
Never forget the day we were looking for her place and from the other side of the dual carriageway saw her standing on her gate waving to us.
Anyway we got there and after fixing us up with a coffee, she took us on a guided tour of the town.
Special person(y)(y)(y)(y)
 
chaser said:
Never forget the day we were looking for her place and from the other side of the dual carriageway saw her standing on her gate waving to us.
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Unknown to us, Frankie saw us pass her place when looking for it. Suddenly a private car overtook us in the middle of the road, tooting it's horn. It was Frankie, waving and motioning us to follow her. What a gal. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
JockandRita said:
Unknown to us, Frankie saw us pass her place when looking for it. Suddenly a private car overtook us in the middle of the road, tooting it's horn. It was Frankie, waving and motioning us to follow her. What a gal. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
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I'm afraid standing on top of the gate or tooting my horn sums it all. Most people think here think I'm a tad mad! It just makes me laugh. I read as well "calmness" .... errrr.... Just you try to come here when I have 2 or 3 big events at the same time or even like lately just out of order with sleepless nights + yelling babies during the day. I don't look calm at all. I have to put signs on my hands like stickers or write on them to remember visitors know nothing about it all. jumartoo .... as you said to me lots of stress. Only 1 day off and I feel nearly normal, back to myself. Not many people know me like this here, but then 80 to 85 hours/week with both jobs can't make me feel calm. Looking forward to stop it all... indeed. Then I'll be able to meet you all when visiting France!!!

Amicalement à tous! Et merci pour vos gentils commentaires , ça me touche vraiment!
 
yodeli said:
I'm afraid standing on top of the gate or tooting my horn sums it all. Most people think here think I'm a tad mad! It just makes me laugh. I read as well "calmness" .... errrr.... Just you try to come here when I have 2 or 3 big events at the same time or even like lately just out of order with sleepless nights + yelling babies during the day. I don't look calm at all. I have to put signs on my hands like stickers or write on them to remember visitors know nothing about it all. jumartoo .... as you said to me lots of stress. Only 1 day off and I feel nearly normal, back to myself. Not many people know me like this here, but then 80 to 85 hours/week with both jobs can't make me feel calm. Looking forward to stop it all... indeed. Then I'll be able to meet you all when visiting France!!!

Amicalement à tous! Et merci pour vos gentils commentaires , ça me touche vraiment!
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Can I ask what it is you do? You keep mentioning sleepless nights and yelling babies? I am intrigued.
 
Grasmere9 said:
Can I ask what it is you do? You keep mentioning sleepless nights and yelling babies? I am intrigued.
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I live on a private stadium , belonging to a firm which is specialised in aeronautic stuff (we are next to Toulouse, aviation town if any!) I have to look after the stadium in different ways. At this time of year I have on one hand all the sports "end of year turnaments" and also all the employees's "end of work" parties what ever the reason, be it end of working year before hols, or retirement's parties. We have a club house in which are hold all the major's employees' events. And on the other hand I must make sure visitors will enter the stadium without any risk to be "captured" in, with a flow of 250 if not more, caravans pulled by huge cars or vans..... Gypsies... my nightmare. This is just terrible in terms of running everywhere, SMILING.... got no more cheeks after one day, only lines for me not to forget!! Trying to park everyone with a quite small parking place, and trying to think of saving parking places nearer the event for possible disabled or old people. This is during week ends, and very often in the evening after my second job.. I also have now and then peaceful week ends with only a few usual sports.
Second job is childming .... in English only! Trying to make little ones bilingual. But of course they start with wah wah wah!!! I can have up to 4 children, when Rose , 9y old is coming (meet her on facebook.com/BBClever/ not been updated for 3 years or nearly, lack of time BAM). So I have an everyday 10 hours /day childming all week long.
My web site is in my signature
www.babysclever.com No time to look after it either.... I'm zero with computers, it's my 84 y old mum who has built the website... it says it all!
There you are , full answer!! :dance2: :dance2: :cool:
Edit : Oh and I just can't calm down quickly enough to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours!
 
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poindexter said:
Right yes well, about that. We took it to a French garage and explained the situation. The (French) guy took one look at it and said “it needs an engine replacement” the engine is not in visibly poor condition. I mean, of course he said that. Englishman stuck with a serious problem with only other option being to repatriate the vehicle which costs $$$$. We’ve got him over a barrel lads. Let’s go. My first choice was to take it home to a trusted mechanic and we may still yet choose that option. From Le Mans to Caen the tow truck wanted 1400 euros. He would have dropped it on the ferry to Portsmouth (2 hour drive probably plus 1 hour loading). Then at the UK side we had OWL recovery quote us £250 to take it to my trusted garage which was about a 2 hour drive away.

So the French tow truck wanted 1400 euros for 3 hours work and the British one wanted £250 for 2 hours work. Hmmmm do you see a theme here?

So the total cost to repatriate is £1450 at the current exchange rate. OWL confirmed that they do this all the time.

The guy explained to me that he has one customer with a MK7 transit that has 1,000,000 KM on the clock. He said he has him back every 18 months a for an engine replacement. I asked him how much it will cost and he said he will get a quote. I smell BS. He should know ballpark figure.

Also maybe considering an engine upgrade to a more powerful, ULEZ compliant motor so may just end up repatriating in any case.
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You mention a trusted garage but remember the one in France isn't it's just pot luck where you broke down presumably you think others in the UK could charge a lot more. I suspect given the stories of vastly different quotes for cambelt replacement on here that garages vary a lot either side of the channel. I don't totally go along with this idea that all French garages add to the bill if you're not a native I'm pretty sure some would and pretty sure some in the UK would if you were French!
Good luck sorting the repair what happened on the original breakdown insurance did you have any evidence of not being broken down before taking it out wouldn't they play ball ?
 
poindexter said:
Right yes well, about that. We took it to a French garage and explained the situation. The (French) guy took one look at it and said “it needs an engine replacement” the engine is not in visibly poor condition. I mean, of course he said that. Englishman stuck with a serious problem with only other option being to repatriate the vehicle which costs $$$$. We’ve got him over a barrel lads. Let’s go. My first choice was to take it home to a trusted mechanic and we may still yet choose that option. From Le Mans to Caen the tow truck wanted 1400 euros. He would have dropped it on the ferry to Portsmouth (2 hour drive probably plus 1 hour loading). Then at the UK side we had OWL recovery quote us £250 to take it to my trusted garage which was about a 2 hour drive away.

So the French tow truck wanted 1400 euros for 3 hours work and the British one wanted £250 for 2 hours work. Hmmmm do you see a theme here?

So the total cost to repatriate is £1450 at the current exchange rate. OWL confirmed that they do this all the time.

The guy explained to me that he has one customer with a MK7 transit that has 1,000,000 KM on the clock. He said he has him back every 18 months a for an engine replacement. I asked him how much it will cost and he said he will get a quote. I smell BS. He should know ballpark figure.

Also maybe considering an engine upgrade to a more powerful, ULEZ compliant motor so may just end up repatriating in any case.
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If your friendly garage is so cheap in relation, why don't you pay for them to travel to France and repatriate your van?
 
poindexter
Did you hear anything from the engine before you stopped?

I don't know if anyone has suggested this but I would drain the coolant, fill the engine With oil and see if it ran.

You might have been lucky and stopped before any real damage has been done.

Both my son and myself have 'been lucky' after similar events.

If the engine is wrecked it will only cost the price of the oil to find out.

Not suggesting you do it now but maybe when you get back.

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