Mechanical work on a Hymer A class

[rick brind]

Our first escape since lock down cracking week on stunning CL in Somerset ended in disaster turbo packed up on way home to Kent . Now the search for a garage to do the repair. Being an A class access to engine is restricted and so far any garage I've asked doesn't want to know. Has anyone out there found someone who would undertake the job preferably in Kent or at least the South East

 

[Clipgate]

Aylesham near Canterbury, Woods Commercial Services.
01304 841940

 

[Clipgate]

Where in Kent do you live

 

[Rapido925M]

The "good" news: it's not just Hymers!

My garage is talking about dropping the engine in order to get sufficient work space to replace glow-plugs. So far I've put it off!

Gordon

 

[rick brind]

Thanks clipgate I live on Sheppey so l'll give them a call.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[7735]

One of the reasons I changed my A class. £400 just to replace 1 glow plug on a Merc. Dread to think what a turbo would be.
Spongy

 

[claude et maude]

JC Leisure in Rye....they do all the mechanical work on my Hymer

 

[Nomadian]

When you say ‘turbo packed up’ what are the symptoms? What A class? What year?What engine, fiat or merc?

 

[BusyBuilder]

We use commercial, lorry/bus dealer/garage, they are used to working in tight spaces, may be worth a try if there's one near you.

 

[wanderer]

Probably a bit far but Paul chamberlain of Northants Motorhome Services fixed my turbo on N&BArto which is similar layout to Hymer

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[airwave]

Being an A class access to engine is restricted

Hmmm , ent that the truth .

Sorry , but hearing you guy's bang on about the cost of repairs , i've got to add this too . Now i'm only a hobbyist spanner thumper , but i've got my Hymer in bits right now , overhauling the cooling system . It's an older 2.8 tdi , and every job has a 2 in it . Alternator adjuster seized , two hours to free it , except it took me two hours to get the inner wing out . Ended up cutting that one out . Every screw , bar five , no chance of removal , can't remember how many there actually were in total . I'm using a two foot breaker bar to move bolts , which increases the risk of snapping , soaking in "plus-gas" first , is a must . To remove the water pump , i had to remove the right engine mount , meaning the engine needed otherwise supporting . I thought there was 3 bolts , but it turned out , there were 4 , so i had to reassemble the engine mount just so i could break the seal of the forth . Then take it all apart again to finally get the pump out , total two days , done now . I also removed the thermostat housing , and ended up taking half the induction system apart , just so i could get at two bolts . I'm waiting on a new gasket , and four new water pump bolts , so i can put it all back together . Timing belt next , but at least their all new parts , and i already have them here . The van is telling me , no one has been in the engine bay like this for the last 20 yrs , and it's not giving me an easy ride . I am winning , but it's painfully slowly . A similar job on my car , hah , a 25 year Citroen , took a day , the Fiat , so far a total of 4 , oh and counting . Last year , i got involved with a complete rear brake overhaul , following the discovery of a weeping wheel cylinder . I even had to overhaul the hand brake adjuster , both of them . The only original parts left on the van are the hub back plate , and 3 way diverter on the back axle . The rest all irreparably seized by corrosion , leaving me with no option , but to cut them off ! .
The front rubber brake hoses will at some point come up for replacement . I can tell you now , that will mean the overhaul of the brakes will be complete , and will include the master cylinder diverter valve .
Seriously folks , what these job's cost in time , and grief is the reason the workshops charge so much . Their in it for the money , not the love , and many probably don't want the job in the first place . The average motorhome takes the space of three small cars , which are quicker , and easier to work on . Their much easier to source parts for , and are generally , what the garage is geared up to work on , in the first place . Due to the mileage of the average motorhome , many are poorly maintained , often older , and owned by people with shall we say , not quite so deep pockets , else they wouldn't be there in the first place . Seeing a garage less often , means parts will be seized , difficult to obtain , and far more likely for extras . Parts break during disassembly , which means added grief trying to explain to a cash strapped owner why such events happen , and why he has to stump up more . So , standard practice , lump a bit more on top , maybe their go to some other mug , but if they don't , at least we make a bit out of it to make it worthwhile .
I'm lucky , i enjoy the challenge , in some kind of masochistic sort of way . I started with single cylinder motorcycle engine , and have worked my way up to this beast , but even so , sometimes things do go very wrong , and it costs me seriously . I've got pretty good access from underneath , but working though the bonnet is very tight . A light is a absolute must to see anything .
Yet leaning over the front axle , while lying on your back under the van , stretching to reach the alternator adjuster , which just happens to be seized , gives you a whole new perspective on things .

My advice is simple , sorry but , think about this post before you whing on about the cost of some repair , put up or shut up . Either learn to do the job yourself , or just simply sell the van . Luxury costs money .


Sorry , rant over ..

 

[Garfields]

Its not just motorhomes though
Jobs on some cars are also horrendous
Last spark plug on some Jags takes hours
Its not a new problem when I was an apprentice I got the job of changing head light bulbs on a Citroën Safari took most of a day the first time. Wings had to be removed along with loads of linkages for the lights as they turned with the steering. Everything rusted up aswell
The rest of the guys knew to keep out the way till the job had been allocated
Its no wonder my career changed path

 

[airwave]

Its not just motorhomes though
Jobs on some cars are also horrendous
Last spark plug on some Jags takes hours
Its not a new problem when I was an apprentice I got the job of changing head light bulbs on a Citroën Safari took most of a day the first time. Wings had to be removed along with loads of linkages for the lights as they turned with the steering. Everything rusted up aswell
The rest of the guys knew to keep out the way till the job had been allocated
Its no wonder my career changed path

Oh yes , I totally agree , you can also add heavy trucks into that mix as well . It's a pity you changed careers though , but i can understand your reasons . Not so long ago , there was a shortage of heavy truck fitters , i don't know what the state of play is with automotive , but i believe the is a problem developing among the younger generation not wanting to get their hands dirty , so it could be interesting .

I'm not connected in anyway to the garage repair business unless you count my mate , a couple of doors up .
Largely self taught , my dad was responsible for my early understanding of engines , but we are talking simple single cylinder jobs here . Actually a single cylinder job , one engine , mine . A 100cc motorcycle engine , so poorly manufactured it needed regular rebuilds . I progressed to simply servicing on a four cylinder car with my dads input , but it wasn't until i brought a basket case multi in the late 90's , that the bug really took hold . The bike cost 3 times what i paid , to put back on the road , but 3 months after i had , i was offered two thirds of that by a passer by , in Devon . I later brought a car manufactured by the same company , and it really took off . I moved from petrol to diesel , with the aid of my mate Haynes (Haynes service manual , remember them ?) , pretty much 10 years back , 3 years after my dad died , and it's pretty much taught me all i know about diesel engines . Two neighbours , one who used to own his own garage , the other an agricultural engineer , have also contributed to my knowledge , and recently two traders on fun , have also added their input , giving me that little bit extra .
I'm only really confident with vehicles , i've actually owned , but the theory is pretty much the same , and i've had complement's from a garage owner , and a couple of mot testers , one of whom i had in stitches .
Modern cars are getting beyond funny , my Citroen takes 5 minutes , literally to change the bulb . Indicator is slightly longer , but i have heard of the modern stuff . Taking bumpers and god knows what off , just to get at the unit ! . The sparkers on my Suzuki van , the newest vehicle i own , are also buried . I have to take the battery off to change them , but as i include a battery service as well , it's no biggy . The Fiat is the latest , the biggest and certainly the most complicated . I'm largely working blind as no manual exists . Though i have managed to source some help , i'm not so sure i would call it a manual , it's far from complete .

 

[jongood]

One of the LR Discoverys (3 I think) where changing a turbo is a body off job.

 

[DavidG58]

Turbo change on our Mercedes Hymer A class needed gear box out, with service at same time I got a few pounds change from £5000

and that was subsidised

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigwood]

Trying to find a garage to take on repairs at short notice after breaking down at the roadside got harder as time went by. People wouldn’t believe me when I told them it wasn’t a quick job and it would be better left to be repaired.
I have feelings for the motor trade with modern vehicles. You might be able to plug them in to find out what’s wrong but actually fixing it takes time and skill.
My first posting in the army involved tanks that took about twelve hours to change the plugs. Then working at the roadside trying to work miracles. The last full job on buses was a challenge as well. Truck chassis with a body on top making it a pain to get to things. Taking seats out to get to engine bits.

 

[Garfields]

One of the LR Discoverys (3 I think) where changing a turbo is a body off job.

I seen that somewhere fortunately not ever had a job as bad as that
Even traditional Landrovers like serious 3 if you had to do a clutch the easiest way was to take out the seats and floor at the front and crane the gearbox out through the door
I was watching a program re the building of an Aston Martin a couple of weeks ago
It was impressive but I wouldn't want to have to take it apart for any serious repairs

 

[Garfields]

It's a pity you changed careers though , but i can understand your reasons .

More money was the main reason at the time
Mechanics pay was and I assume still is not great
The personal expenses compared to other trades was also much larger (tools etc)
I certainly wouldn't be financially in the same position if I had stayed
Playing about with engines etc for fun was fun and still is, doing it for a living not so
There are not many people I knew in the trade stilling doing so
One or two worked on the tools till they retired but most moved on to other things

 

[funflair]

Turbo change on our Mercedes Hymer A class needed gear box out, with service at same time I got a few pounds change from £5000

and that was subsidised

Would access have been any different if it was a white van David? my understanding is that the turbo is at the back of the V and above the gearbox so never going to be easy.

Martin

 

[Jaws]

I have worked on many different forms of vehicle....
But the worst for one particular job has got t be fork trucks

One of the most common service items on a fork truck is the clutch
Apart from one make , the TCM range ( there may be others but I never got to work on them ) it is a job that involves taking the mast off, then removing the front axle before finally taking the gearbox off to get at the clutch
The TCM ones were very easy
Remove the foot plate, remove an inspection cover on the top of the bell housing, and using a 17mm spanner you can wind the input shaft right back in to the gearbox.
Unbolt the pressure plate, slip it out the top of the bell housing and replace..About 40 minutes or so instead of a day +

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DavidG58]

Would access have been any different if it was a white van David? my understanding is that the turbo is at the back of the V and above the gearbox so never going to be easy.

Martin

i forget the exact details now, but Mertrux told me a standard sprinter time allocated to change turbo was ‘x hours’ they agreed to fix my labour at double that, but knowing it would take a lot longer

ours has a full auto gearbox, not sure what difference that makes to size but it wouldn’t be a standard fit on a sprinter

but all behind us now, 5 years ago and 35K miles

 

[Geo]

I have worked on many different forms of vehicle....
But the worst for one particular job has got t be fork trucks

One of the most common service items on a fork truck is the clutch
Apart from one make , the TCM range ( there may be others but I never got to work on them ) it is a job that involves taking the mast off, then removing the front axle before finally taking the gearbox off to get at the clutch
The TCM ones were very easy
Remove the foot plate, remove an inspection cover on the top of the bell housing, and using a 17mm spanner you can wind the input shaft right back in to the gearbox.
Unbolt the pressure plate, slip it out the top of the bell housing and replace..About 40 minutes or so instead of a day +

The old Datsuns were like that john 20 mins for a new clutch, the Trade were convinced that having got wind of that, they would all follow suite no chance.
Vauxhall's got close but soon abandoned the quick change method and went back to front suspension off

 

[7735]

I have worked on many different forms of vehicle....
But the worst for one particular job has got t be fork trucks

One of the most common service items on a fork truck is the clutch
Apart from one make , the TCM range ( there may be others but I never got to work on them ) it is a job that involves taking the mast off, then removing the front axle before finally taking the gearbox off to get at the clutch
The TCM ones were very easy
Remove the foot plate, remove an inspection cover on the top of the bell housing, and using a 17mm spanner you can wind the input shaft right back in to the gearbox.
Unbolt the pressure plate, slip it out the top of the bell housing and replace..About 40 minutes or so instead of a day +

Fortunately we don’t see many fork lift motorhomes.

 

[Jaws]

Fortunately we don’t see many fork lift motorhomes.

Give it time.. they seem to be converting anything with wheels on nowadays !

 

[Lee337]

I had an old Toyota Estima that I converted to a day van a few years ago. Shortly after I got it, I noticed the temp gauge was playing up, sometimes it was showing hot & others cold. I traced the fault to the thermostat being stuck. An easy job I thought, lift up the front passenger seat, for access. It really was a 20 minute job, but I thought I'd renew the coolant as I had no idea when it was last done & the coolant was looking a bit manky. Turns out the previous owner had pretty much filled the cooling system with some weird gunk as the water pump was on its way out.

To get to the water pump, II had to completely remove both front seats, two access panels then a further metal shroud to access the top of the engine. Then remove the fuel pump, the secondary auxiliary drive system (SADS), fuel filter, starter motor, disconnect the turbo so I could move it to the side and remove a few other bits I can no longer remember, as well as the timing belt, so I could get to the water pump. Two weeks of on/off work saw it back together again, but now the fuel pump was leaking. Out came the seats, access panels etc. again.

In the 3 years I owned that van , the exhaust was replaced, the rear axle bearing, fuel filler pipe, SADS UJ, both front and back and as per the service schedule, an oil change every 4000 miles (meaning removing the seats to get to the access panels). I pretty much had the seats out every 3 - 4 months. I could probably get access to the engine quicker than a dealer.

The final straw was when the core plugs went between the engine & gearbox. I'd just come out of hospital having been rushed in 2 weeks before with sepsis & I really couldn't be bothered to drop the gearbox, so I sold it. Mrs L has been nagging me to get something to replace it since, apparently a Mercedes SLK is not the same!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[airwave]

Turbo change on our Mercedes Hymer A class needed gear box out,

I may give the impression on fun , i don't like Merks , but the truth is , i do like them . They are solid and reliable motors , but i feel over complicated . I find the heavies thirsty , compared to other trucks in their class , but they generally don't break . However when they do , god help ya , the repair costs are staggering . I first drove a Sprinter about 15 years ago . It was a custom long wheel base special build , with a two and a half litre turbo . Now i follow the rule of the road , drive on the left , except for overtaking or otherwise directed , but i'm no angel . On this one day , i was having problems actually following that on the M1 . Everyone else seemed to be doodling around and i appeared to be overtaking everything in sight . It wasn't until i glanced the speedo , i actually realised the reason , why . I was cruising at just less than 90 , loaded . The van was showing no sign of stress , and had plenty of right pedal left , i still maintain to this day , it would have gone over the ton . I normally use pedal position and noise to judge my speed , but here was the thing , there wasn't any noise . It was difficult to maintain 70-75 , using just those two senses , so i had to revert back to reading the clock .

With regard to the turbo . I think , i may just be able to reach it , from behind , over the front axle . With the intercooler hoses removed i can see the waste gate , which sits a top the blower , and at a stretch , reach it . By following the induction pipe , i can feel the turbo , but can't actually see it without a mirror . I wouldn't like to say , i could change it or not , but i admit , it certainly wouldn't be easy . What i will say for sure is , time would be on my side . I have replaced a metal coolant pipe , that runs from the pump to the thermostat , basically one side to the other on the back side of the motor . It's above the turbo , but below the manifold , and held in place by a single (i think) 15mm bolt , just to the right of the turbo , but that was really difficult . Maybe access could be improved by removing the inlet manifold , but that may present it's own problems . Honest answer , dunno . I lubricate the wastegate actuator from behind , by reaching over the front axle .

You might be able to plug them in to find out what’s wrong but actually fixing it takes time and skill.

Ah yeah , the good ole computer , be all and end all . I remember years back , when i was pulling boxes outta Felixstowe in the 90's (containers to you and me) . The new FH series of heavy trucks came out . Typical Volvo , one broke , so dealer sent out a fitter with a computer the size of a small van . Cut a long story short , a wrecker recovered the truck , when the computer failed to find the problem . Good ole fitters found it though , a broken fuel pipe buried in the engine , enough said eh !

The personal expenses compared to other trades was also much larger (tools etc)

Yeah , and don't they cost . When i seriously started out , i considered Snap on , but man , some of their figures are eye watering , despite the guarantee . To date my tool kit largely uses Draper , and to be honest . i've still yet to break a spanner , plus i can get them virtually anywhere . Wage is the biggest downer , i'm hearing when i visit the workshops with a truck . Mostly , the fitters will fall over backwards to help ya out , first thing they do with me , is thrust a cuppa in my hand , but at the end of the day , it's all about the money .

any different if it was a white van David?

Probably not , Haulage and white van man companies are more interested in getting their motors back on the road , and earning . So will pay almost anything , often without a word . After all , in many cases , it's not their money . It's the company owner who picks the tab up , and the manufacturer knows this . So is more interested in trapping that market .
The problem is , we are caught in the cross fire , our base units use the same floor pans and mechanics as the white van man .

20 mins for a new clutch,

Geo , good to hear from ya . You and Dave have been awful quite of late . Now that is impressive . I had a front engine , rear drive van , where the clutch was changed , not by me i hasten to add , in two hours . It also had an equally impressive bill , about 200 quid if i remember correctly , but i will also admit that was about 10 year ago . My present van a Suzuki carry , actually a modern version of the old van (Bedford rascal , or basically a Suzuki supercarry) , is of the same layout . The only reason i didn't do it at the time , was time , i didn't have any .

 

[airwave]

a Mercedes SLK is not the same!

I came seriously close to buying a c-class convertible , but in the end i couldn't justify a four seater car for just me .
My other hobby is hang gliding , sometimes it can get a bit too windy , or even worst rain . Now you can just dive in the car , but unlike a van you can't stretch out . Fancy a cup of tea , in a van just put the kettle on , where a car it's a flask , and your not stuck with a simple diet filled sandwich , either . I've cooked full meals on the field , then had a kip afterwards while waiting for the right conditions . My van had an awning , so even if it was raining , i could sit outside . On one occasion , i've used the awning for cover while putting gear away , while it was throwing it down . You are totally independent , of anyone , or anything else , and being able to sleep in it as well , saves you money . A motorhome takes that , one step further . Instead of just an overnight , i've stayed on the field for a week . Now i've done that with my van , but the motorhome means water is not a major issue , a shower is a simple affair , dammit i can even stand up , hah the simple things eh .

There are draw backs , maintenance is one . If you can fix it yourself , that's a major advantage .

Oh and i've had a car like that . Peugeot 205 , i was under the bonnet every weekend . Back door jammed , ignition key snapped in the lock , steering tried seizing up , bloody thing even caught fire at one point . Got my own back though , i scrapped it ! . Poxy Peugeots , no one i know has every had anything good to say about em .

 

[The Coops]

Try a Renault 4 clutch, even the trade price was 10 hours labour! It was held together with the biggest collection om M6, mate and M10 bolts! Did one, never again!

 

[rick brind]

Thanks for all your input. Managed to get the van up on ramps and get a good look from below it's not the turbo. Recovery mech obviously hadn't a clue. Eventually found a coolant leak. Now the fun began
Spent 2 hrs removing air filter unit turbo pipe gear cable floor gusset and eventually got to offending hose. Removed hose to discover it was fine but the steel pipe it fits to was corroded and had split. The pipe goes to the water pump but there is no access from below as it's behind the alternator/ cam belt etc. After removing inner wing shield the chassis is still in the way the only way to get to it as far as I can see is to drop the engine down and possibly the cross member. As I don’t have facilities it will have to be a garage job much to my chagrin. I was a mechanic back in the 70's and did breakdown work. In those days you could often fix such things on the side of the road or at least back in the workshop within an hour or two. Nowdays it seems you need several days and a fully equipped workshop

 

[airwave]

steel pipe it fits to was corroded and had split.

Oh shoot , i've just replaced mine , it's a real bar-stew-ard . I did it on my drive , with the engine in place , but it's a lot of work and ent easy . Your profile say's an A class Hymer , well mine is also a Hymer , year 2000 . What year is yours ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}