2nd Time Lucky?

Wissel

Wissel

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Horncastle, UK
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Van Conversion
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Since 2006
Some might remember our first foray into full-timing. It didn't quite go to plan. Here's the original thread for anyone interested:
Broken Link Removed

Anyway, fast forward a year.

We have lived in the blown up van on my Dad's drive since the last thread, helping look after him while he dealt with Cancer. Sadly, he lost his battle in October. Awful of course, but something we all have to deal with at some point.

Now it's time to get our life back. Time to get this van working again :)

I have today stripped the van of most of it's interior and moved into the Summer house I built for my Dad for a while. The van is being collected tomorrow and taken to a specialist to fit a fully re-manufactured engine. Not a cheap option, but the new engine is classed as zero miles and well guaranteed.

I did consider just going for another van, but the thing is, ours has only done 80K (2010 L3H2 Boxer) and most 3 year old vans have done more. I'm hoping with the new engine it should be great for a good few years. Really hoping :)

Once it's back I'll fit a new interior. Then off we trot

Second time lucky?
 
Well the first bits gone well and the vans on its way to Excel Engine Services in Stockport :)
Van Being Collected.JPG

Should get an update on exactly what they recommend in a few days.
 
denisejoe said:
Hope the new engine is a bit cheaper than ours was back in 2016! Cost us nearly 8,000 Euros in France!

Denise
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Ouch. Yes, a lot less. Been quoted £3200 for a re-manufactured engine, fully fitted including fluids etc, plus the injectors testing and a few little bits. The engine and all work is guaranteed for a year or 12,000 miles and the company has been around a long time and seems reputable. Then there was the £185 to have the van collected from North Wales, and the van will need an MOT.

Of course they could find other things that should be done - likely the clutch would make sense while engine is out, even though it hasn't done many miles. Hoping it doesn't creep up too much though :)
 
Heard back from the engine builders today :(

On the plus side, the turbo, clutch and flywheel all tested fine (not a surprise as had both replaced not many miles ago).

On the down side, 2 of the injectors failed their test (£180 each + VAT, new Denso), the TVD pulley (£148 + VAT), it needs a few belts, suction control valve, pressure relief valve, water pump and glow plugs.

Basically another £912

So, so far, looking at £3200 for the re-manufactured engine, £180 to have it collected and £912. Kind of hoping it passes it's MOT without a hitch now :oops:

Anyone interested in a kidney?
 
How did the old engine blow? Are the injectors not transferable from old to new? I feel anxious for you
 
MANGOFORTH said:
How did the old engine blow? Are the injectors not transferable from old to new? I feel anxious for you
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Originally the turbo went and sucked all the oil out of engine. I had it replaced, drove 100 miles, engine blew (big end). I was warned by a few people this was a risk.

Rather than just fit a second-hand engine, I decided to save up for a proper re-manufactured unit. This is classed as zero miles and well guaranteed. The company I'm using to supply and fit this are a specialist engine company who do the work in house. They have tested everything else that could be an issue. Turns out two of the injectors failed (they sent me all the test results for each one).

Tbh I'm pleased they are being thorough. I'm obviously not pleased about having to spend so much, but better this way than some dodgy second-hand eBay engine, fitted for say £2k and lasts 2 minutes :cautious:

At least I'll have (I hope) something that is as good as new, so can keep the van for a good few years.

Did think about buying say a 3 year old van with low miles instead. But that's what I did last time and it was a dog. Besides, I'd prefer to keep this van. Hate how disposable modern vehicles are.
 
It does look very smart, which at 3 years old I guess it should. :) Best wishes and hopefully the bill won't be too much though I guess the handbrake drums may need a bit of cleaning before they pass the MOT having stood for a while - they are always marginal in my experience.

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MANGOFORTH said:
Sounds like a smart plan!! And i completely agree about modern vehicles being disposable!!

Do you have an ETA?
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Around the end of this week. Depending on MOT. Tight on funds tbh, few extra days I'd be good with :oops:
 
DBK said:
It does look very smart, which at 3 years old I guess it should. :) Best wishes and hopefully the bill won't be too much though I guess the handbrake drums may need a bit of cleaning before they pass the MOT having stood for a while - they are always marginal in my experience.
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I actually started the van to get it off the drive here as really steep and knew it would be hell for recovery truck. Surprisingly the hand brake seemed fine. Will find out soon enough...
 
Wissel said:
I actually started the van to get it off the drive here as really steep and knew it would be hell for recovery truck. Surprisingly the hand brake seemed fine. Will find out soon enough...
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I'd forgotten it's an "empty" van, should be fine - until you start adding the internals!
 
Are you redesigning the interior or sticking with it 'as is'?

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Wissel said:
Small redesign. Dropping the bed a little, adding internal fresh water, few little bits.
Complete refit though.
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... including a 'fire' for the dog? ☺
 
MANGOFORTH said:
What kind of fire we talkin about?
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C'mon Wissel ... tell the young lad about your pampered pooch with his own 'den' and fire to snuggle by! :giggle:

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Spoiled beyond belief.
 
Well, engine etc all fitted and finished, so van went in for it's MOT today :wondering:
Because it has largely sat for 18 months I was worried.

I knew it would fail as the passenger seat isn't in it, so the air bag light is on. But wanted it tested so I could get anything else that flagged up fixed, take the seat, get it re-tested and drive it home. Made sense to me.

Anyway, here's what's wrong with it:
BoxerMOTFailFeb2020.JPG

The first major fault is just the seat going in. The second got me worried, but then I Googled that part and miraculously, it's cheap for a change. Including fitting, looking at £130+VAT.

The minor faults (not fails) are no surprise. The brake warning lamp is the usual cluster fault on these vans where a light illuminates dimly. I knew I'd need to send it off to Cartronix at some point to fix this. Obviously the mirror is simple enough.

So now just waiting for the final bill. Fingers crossed ?

Can't wait to get it back now :roflmto::roflmto::roflmto:

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And just like that the final bill has arrived. £4443 all in including the new engine, collecting the van from Wales, all the extra bits (had things like gearbox oil replaced, as well as the new injectors etc), the labour, the MOT and the new rear shock.

The shock will be done tomorrow, then looking like I'll pick it up on Tuesday, fit the seat back in, re-test will be booked in, cry as I hand my card over, smile as I drive it home :)
 
Went up to Stockport yesterday to collect van, armed with single seat and pre-tensioner. Fitted it - airbag light still on :(

I tried to change the ECU to single seat - no joy
The garage used there pro diagnostic tools - no joy
They then bought out the full Peugeot system - no joy.

It was getting late in the day so I ended having to stay in a (crappy) hotel. It stunk, was run-down and I'm pretty sure the room next door was rented to the Stockport Hopscotch Society.

Today was another day - up at 7am and online working out how to fix this without calling out an auto-electrician.

I soon found the solution - solder a resistor across the two wires for the middle seat. Found somewhere to buy the resistor a few miles away, in a taxi, then to garage, fixed it and sorted :)

Then back over to re-test MOT. Had a 20 minute wait so fixed the brake light (minor fault) while waiting, 10 mins later I have the cert. Online, get it taxed, and off I go. Nervously :)

Went to Leeds to collect ply (Poplar lightweight Garnier - really nice stuff) and just got back to North Wales. Van hasn't skipped a beat. It's also a lot more powerful than its ever been - and getting better mileage.

I know time will tell (ultimately) how good a job has been done, but so far I'm very happy. Today is a good day :)
 
Wissel said:
Went up to Stockport yesterday to collect van, armed with single seat and pre-tensioner. Fitted it - airbag light still on :(

I tried to change the ECU to single seat - no joy
The garage used there pro diagnostic tools - no joy
They then bought out the full Peugeot system - no joy.

It was getting late in the day so I ended having to stay in a (crappy) hotel. It stunk, was run-down and I'm pretty sure the room next door was rented to the Stockport Hopscotch Society.

Today was another day - up at 7am and online working out how to fix this without calling out an auto-electrician.

I soon found the solution - solder a resistor across the two wires for the middle seat. Found somewhere to buy the resistor a few miles away, in a taxi, then to garage, fixed it and sorted :)

Then back over to re-test MOT. Had a 20 minute wait so fixed the brake light (minor fault) while waiting, 10 mins later I have the cert. Online, get it taxed, and off I go. Nervously :)

Went to Leeds to collect ply (Poplar lightweight Garnier - really nice stuff) and just got back to North Wales. Van hasn't skipped a beat. It's also a lot more powerful than its ever been - and getting better mileage.

I know time will tell (ultimately) how good a job has been done, but so far I'm very happy. Today is a good day :)
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Did the engine supplier insist on a new radiator? They normally do as a blocked rad could cook the new engine. john.
 
fifthwheel said:
Did the engine supplier insist on a new radiator? They normally do as a blocked rad could cook the new engine. john.
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Not a new rad, but they did test everything and it did need a new water pump, amongst other things.

The whole workshop is filled with machinery and diagnostic tools. A proper "old school" engine builders :)
 
This is looking good now...cannot wait for the next post (y)

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