We are stuck need help **URGENT**

Silver-Fox said:
I think that’s what I’d be doing 👍
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Depends on if the insurance would cover all vehicles onbthecreturn journey. We know what the small print onnjnsurance is like
 
Is it ok to drop a non running vehicle at the ferry and they will load it, off load the other end.

I’m intrigued.
 
L' Hobo said:
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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I always have compete respect for everyone I encounter. I’m just frustrated at the abrupt recommendation to replace the entire engine.
 
Nanniemate said:
Depends on if the insurance would cover all vehicles onbthecreturn journey. We know what the small print onnjnsurance is like
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I appreciate that.

I run a tipper trailer for home and private jobs, but can use it for building work.

I have insurance that covers trailer contents and third party insurance on it.

Would temporary insurance cost that much?

I’ve no idea to be fair but worth a look.

I posted above asking if the ferry company would load a non runner?

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Silver-Fox said:
Is it ok to drop a non running vehicle at the ferry and they will load it, off load the other end.

I’m intrigued.
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Apparantly yes. I was advised by OWL recovery in Portsmouth that they do this all the time…
 
Barclaybasher said:
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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All relevant questions. Why did the mechanic not ask this or suggest this? It’s in his hands now and in a different country to me. The engine just stopped flat while I was driving. It’s not seized or anything like that. It just whirs when you turn it over. Lost compression. Minimum it’s the head gasket and maybe even warped head.
 
poindexter said:
Apparantly yes. I was advised by OWL recovery in Portsmouth that they do this all the time…
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I have to say I’m surprised as no one seems to want to help these days.

That’s something else I’ve learnt today 👍
 
poindexter said:
I always have compete respect for everyone I encounter. I’m just frustrated at the abrupt recommendation to replace the entire engine.
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That's good, I just didn't want you to misunderstand me.
With regards to the hasty suggestion of an engine replacement, IMO it sounds like a cover all comment by a VERY BUSY and stressed mechanic. I've been there more than once.😢
 
poindexter said:
I always have compete respect for everyone I encounter. I’m just frustrated at the abrupt recommendation to replace the entire engine.
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Been there and done that. :(
What the French Fiat Agent didn't realise, was that the engine had already been replaced under an accident insurance claim, and would be the subject of investigation by the insurers Red Star, as soon as the vehicle was repatriated to the UK. Their diagnosis though was spot on.

Having shelled out substantially for a new engine and repairs, Red Star wanted it back tuite suite.
Long story short, the insurers had been ripped off big time by the UK repairers, to the point that the insurer took them to court, and paid us out big time for all the hassle and disruption, and alternative holiday expenses. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Hi!

I'm still in contatc with the man who could take the van from garage to the ferry, but it's not possible to leave a non running vehicle on the ferry. So different things have been proposed such as taking the ferry with the van and of course the trailer with it, but it gives loads of additionnal charges, and papers and waiting waiting waiting , and the man needs his people to be back quickly. The whole thing is taking too much time, having to pay one of his lads while waiting for next ferry. (actually I think he's got only one free lad, remember it's hols for lots of people!!!!) Possibly a hotel because french law doesn't allow an excess of driving time within a certain number of hours. Indeed difficult. So the tunnel is another possibility ..... far more expensive (700 eurs one way) because of tunnel charges for both trailer and van then trailer back + the toll of course, waiting time is less important but still having to pay for it. Total cost 3900euros ( that's an about amount depending on traffic and other things which could happen). Expensive stuff I think!! . Still no answer from poindexter I guess he's having a look at other possilities, but as I told him , the man in charge of the towing (he is NOT the boss!!) said it is far less expensive to do the towing to the ferry and Poindexter comes with english people and english trailer on French side boarding and lt's english people who do the job. It's far easier for everybody . It's now becoming a tad difficult for me as well as I don't have any kind of answer. I might become the punching ball soon, which of course will lead to some reaction from me such as I give up .... Just saying!
 
yodeli said:
Hi!

I'm still in contatc with the man who could take the van from garage to the ferry, but it's not possible to leave a non running vehicle on the ferry. So different things have been proposed such as taking the ferry with the van and of course the trailer with it, but it gives loads of additionnal charges, and papers and waiting waiting waiting , and the man needs his people to be back quickly. The whole thing is taking too much time, having to pay one of his lads while waiting for next ferry. (actually I think he's got only one free lad, remember it's hols for lots of people!!!!) Possibly a hotel because french law doesn't allow an excess of driving time within a certain number of hours. Indeed difficult. So the tunnel is another possibility ..... far more expensive (700 eurs one way) because of tunnel charges for both trailer and van then trailer back + the toll of course, waiting time is less important but still having to pay for it. Total cost 3900euros ( that's an about amount depending on traffic and other things which could happen). Expensive stuff I think!! . Still no answer from poindexter I guess he's having a look at other possilities, but as I told him , the man in charge of the towing (he is NOT the boss!!) said it is far less expensive to do the towing to the ferry and Poindexter comes with english people and english trailer on French side boarding and lt's english people who do the job. It's far easier for everybody . It's now becoming a tad difficult for me as well as I don't have any kind of answer. I might become the punching ball soon, which of course will lead to some reaction from me such as I give up .... Just saying!
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You’ve done your best and applaud your help in this matter, well done 👏 :-) You’re our French Ambassador !!!!
 
yodeli said:
Hi!

I'm still in contatc with the man who could take the van from garage to the ferry, but it's not possible to leave a non running vehicle on the ferry. So different things have been proposed such as taking the ferry with the van and of course the trailer with it, but it gives loads of additionnal charges, and papers and waiting waiting waiting , and the man needs his people to be back quickly. The whole thing is taking too much time, having to pay one of his lads while waiting for next ferry. (actually I think he's got only one free lad, remember it's hols for lots of people!!!!) Possibly a hotel because french law doesn't allow an excess of driving time within a certain number of hours. Indeed difficult. So the tunnel is another possibility ..... far more expensive (700 eurs one way) because of tunnel charges for both trailer and van then trailer back + the toll of course, waiting time is less important but still having to pay for it. Total cost 3900euros ( that's an about amount depending on traffic and other things which could happen). Expensive stuff I think!! . Still no answer from poindexter I guess he's having a look at other possilities, but as I told him , the man in charge of the towing (he is NOT the boss!!) said it is far less expensive to do the towing to the ferry and Poindexter comes with english people and english trailer on French side boarding and lt's english people who do the job. It's far easier for everybody . It's now becoming a tad difficult for me as well as I don't have any kind of answer. I might become the punching ball soon, which of course will lead to some reaction from me such as I give up .... Just saying!
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You can only do your best. I think you have already done a lot to help but it's going to need some action taken soon and hopefully the French garage who are storing it are getting some sort of payment for the recovery and storage as it goes along it's only fair.

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poindexter said:
Apparantly yes. I was advised by OWL recovery in Portsmouth that they do this all the time…
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I'd double check that.
As far as I'm aware no ship or train will permit a non-runner to be loaded.

My Dad had a car that would not start.
They managed to get to to car park in Calais.
Unable to start so called the RAC who sent in a local mobile mechanic.
He made a point of moving the car to an area of the car park not covered by CCTV and did the repair, but said once the engine is stopped you wont get it going again.
If the Ferry/Tunnel people suspect your vehicle wont start to depart, they will not let you board.
Therefore my Dad kept the engine running until they were onboard.
Only on arrival did they then 'accidently find' that the engine would not start, much to the annoyance of the crew, who eventually pushed the car off the ship to the quayside where it was then towed to a car park, where the RAC could attend and get the engine going again for the run to the home garage.
 
Having run garage workshops I think you’ll end up with a recon engine,otherwise by time you pay for a strip down then the costings . An engine would likely be a safer bet.
 
The Wino said:
You can only do your best. I think you have already done a lot to help but it's going to need some action taken soon and hopefully the French garage who are storing it are getting some sort of payment for the recovery and storage as it goes along it's only fair.
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Right now what I fear most is that the time table of the towing enterprise soon fills up. The man in charge of it all (including quote) booked the 17th of August on his time table , simply because I had a chat with him. He wanted to make sure the client didn't want it for this week, as he deffo could not do it by the time it's all OK. But now if there is no answer... booking the tunnel might be too late. We also have bank hols on the 15 of august which is another prob, for the trip prices and also for the booking. He called me yesterday and I could only tell him, sorry I didn't get any answer. On the other hand, I can't call myself on a regular basis, it would cost me some money I don't have at the mo. I already explain this to his wife , hence she called me 2 or 3 times on wednesday.

jumartoo Yes , I'm on holidays with a lot of work to do here . I've emptied a large part of the garage yesterday with my sister. Loads to do with the recent floods , and also install large mortar blocks to put things higher and avoid too much mess each time. Difficult work and smelly and dirty ....BUT it has to be done while it's hot and no children in the way!!

EDIT: Made quite a few mistakes ! Had to correct them!!

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gus-lopez said:
It has always been done. same as trailers loaded without tractor units. just use a shunter.
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Trailer units are fine on a ship as they are easy to move with a shunter.

That is not the same as a non running large vehicle where the only option is to load a recovery vehicle of some sort, which has to be cleared through customs, to either put it onto a flatbed, or jack up the front and tow off (with the added problem of low clearance at the back on the RoRo ramp).

Hence when my Dad broke down prior to discharge, the crew had to push him off the ship and he was then rope towed by a pickup from the quayside to a carpark the other side of Customs to await the RAC.

Therefore I'd be very surprised if a ship will permit a non-runner to be loaded.
As it's a pain in the arse to load it, and even more of a pain to discharge it.
 
I don't think we have seen any value attached to this van , what age is it and how much is it worth, will it pay for all this towing and new engine or whatever. Would it be better to just write it off and take it to the nearest scrap yard and put the money saved towards a new one.?
 
Brains said:
Trailer units are fine on a ship as they are easy to move with a shunter.

That is not the same as a non running large vehicle where the only option is to load a recovery vehicle of some sort, which has to be cleared through customs, to either put it onto a flatbed, or jack up the front and tow off (with the added problem of low clearance at the back on the RoRo ramp).

Hence when my Dad broke down prior to discharge, the crew had to push him off the ship and he was then rope towed by a pickup from the quayside to a carpark the other side of Customs to await the RAC.

Therefore I'd be very surprised if a ship will permit a non-runner to be loaded.
As it's a pain in the arse to load it, and even more of a pain to discharge it.
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When I was trucking , before we joined the EU, the 'tugs' that loaded the unaccompanied trailers used to long bar on to the towing eye of the artic, connect the air and tow it off in a straightish line while the driver steered as well as he could without the power.
(That was when truck drivers changed their own flat tyres of course 😄)
No exterior help was needed.
 
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Jim OHOOOOO Whahooo ! Now look at those nice badges I got ! Thank you so much Jim and all of you funsters!. Fortunatly I didn't help just to get them, but mainly because anyone in troubles feels much better when there is some kind of help and support!
Thank you again!:sun::sun::sun:
 
yodeli said:
Jim OHOOOOO Whahooo ! Now look at those nice badges I got ! Thank you so much Jim and all of you funsters!. Fortunatly I didn't help just to get them, but mainly because anyone in troubles feels much better when there is some kind of help and support!
Thank you again!:sun::sun::sun:
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It’s the least you deserve :-) :-) Well done Jim

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