Oh dear, please help me to help my daughter's MH purchase (1 Viewer)

[DavidG58]

Hello all

Of all the MH owning people my daughter could turn to I am by far the least able to help

They wanted a MH, they also wanted to do it themselves and have gone and done so

The seller must have thought he had really dropped lucky, sold 'off' ebay he said with everything working ready to go and no damp

well lets just say he lies

One side if full of damp, serious levels, my moisture meter only goes up to 50% then flashes if above, virtually whole offside is over 50%

But staying positive, it could have been like that for years and they genuinely didn't know

So lets try and get it working so that can at least use it

The hob has a flame thrower impression beside the knobs condemned that till properly checked / tested / mended / changed

didn't even bother with oven on same basis

traumatic heater looks beyond any hope and I just hope an be swapped for a brand new equivalent for efficiency and safety sake

so to the bits I would like help with for now

water pump makes noise but nothing comes out, as I don't 'do' anything like this what are the options, like for like change would seem simplest, but I guess any in line 12V pump would do with some slight pipe changes if needed?

habitation battery is fitted on some kind of telescopic frame, it looks like the nut on the outside should simply turn to lower, but it doesn't seem to want to move

 

[cornish boy]

Happy to send you a PM with my phone number if you want some advice over the phone rather than type away on here all afternoon!

 

[SuperMike]

Even if a private seller, if they expressly lied the buyer beware does not count, so take it back and return it for a refund. How did they pay, if by CC card get them on side etc ?

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[cornish boy]

Even if a private seller, if they expressly lied, then take it back and return it for a refund. How did they pay, if by CC card get them on side etc.

Good point, worth at least contacting eBay and seeing what they say.

 

[DavidG58]

Good point, worth at least contacting eBay and seeing what they say.

they bought it having seen it on ebay, but bypassed them at the request of the seller

he even saved fees and potential comeback I reckon

 

[DavidG58]

Even if a private seller, if they expressly lied the buyer beware does not count, so take it back and return it for a refund. How did they pay, if by CC card get them on side etc ?

no to credit card, folding money, daughter doesn't seem keen to even try asking for money back

not really sure why, she hates confrontation, but leave it to me, its right up my street looking after my girls

they haven't even got it cheap, paid £6K

feel so sorry for them, have made the same kind of mistakes myself about their time of life, just when you really cant afford it

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[Viennese]

So he has clearly done this before. I despair of people with no experience just going and buying something with no advice from someone who knows something!

 

[Larrynwin]

If no luck with seller and you have to sort it I suggest the battery cradle looks to be on a scissor movement with rotation of the dome nut at the front to lower but first removing the lock bolt through the plate , if that’s the case it would be a long threaded rod which has probably rusted so will need lubrication.

 

[peterc10]

David, the water pump is still available to buy. It is made by Fiamma. About £75 to £80 though

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[DavidG58]

If no luck with seller and you have to sort it I suggest the battery cradle looks to be on a scissor movement with rotation of the dome nut at the front to lower but first removing the lock bolt through the plate , if that’s the case it would be a long threaded rod which has probably rusted so will need lubrication.

thanks Larry, there is an 'extra' bolt that makes sense now that it is a lock

 

[Larrynwin]

Be sure there is water in tank and by slackening a hose clip that it has reached the pump, and any inline filter not blocked.

 

[DavidG58]

So he has clearly done this before. I despair of people with no experience just going and buying something with no advice from someone who knows something!

not sure if you despair of the seller, or my daughter and son in law as buyers

if the latter, we were none of us born perfect, I have certainly made similar mistakes

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[Ian1801]

Go and ask for your money back it’s going to cost a fortune if you can’t do the work your self.

Even if you can it’s not going to be cheap,

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/rights-you-actually-buying-used-8917078.amp

Have a look at the new laws

Ian

 

[DavidG58]

Be sure there is water in tank and by slackening a hose clip that it has reached the pump, and any inline filter not blocked.

tank is half full, I have taken outlet pipe off and nothing came out even with pump running, will look for in line filter next

 

[cornish boy]

Looking at your photo suggests

A - inline filter
B - one way valve (check valve)

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[cornish boy]

I am fasinated by this, what is the handle connected to? And is it in the closed or open position?

 

[Larrynwin]

David, if motorhome has valid MOT and other documents are correct and it runs ok with half decent tyres etc then £6k is not the end of the world.
If the damp is in the complete side up to the ceiling then worth checking all roof seams for cracked sealant . Hopefully damp and not rot.
It’s a project but with a few pounds spent could result in a useable first motorhome for your daughter.

 

[Larrynwin]

I am fasinated by this, what is the handle connected to? And is it in the closed or open position?

View attachment 236445

Possibly a drain valve.

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[Dilbert]

If its roadworthy and running OK maybe the van has just been parked up unused in the open or have a leak causing the damp. The heater and hob can be sourced from a caravan breakers and maybe the water pump feed is blocked up. DIY learning curve for your daughter and SIL . That leisure battery position is plain daft possible to move inside the van somewhere?

 

[DavidG58]

I am fasinated by this, what is the handle connected to? And is it in the closed or open position?

View attachment 236445

It is as suggested a drain valve for the cold water tank

I think the one way valve is actually just a hose connector suggesting the pump may well not be the original

Filter just removed and all looks good, water runs freely from disconnected feed pipe

Just putting all back together to try again

 

[DavidG58]

David, if motorhome has valid MOT and other documents are correct and it runs ok with half decent tyres etc then £6k is not the end of the world.
If the damp is in the complete side up to the ceiling then worth checking all roof seams for cracked sealant . Hopefully damp and not rot.
It’s a project but with a few pounds spent could result in a useable first motorhome for your daughter.

Will give daughter another hug and pass that on

They did want a project but maybe let their hearts get in the way

Been there still wear the t shirt

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[chaser]

@DavidG58 don' despare, daughters do what daughters do, and just think how far the price of a couple of headlights will go in putting it right

 

[138go]

If you have that level of damp in the walls the chances are the timbers will have started to rot. Most of the wood used in construction was not treated so when it gets wet it starts to rot. They also used to put insulation inside the walls which soaks up water. The longer it is left the worse it gets. IMHO you would be better working out where the damp is coming from before you start spending money putting the rest of it right. Try and remove some of the panels and have a look what’s behind them. Also worth considering is using SH parts. There are a number of Breakers who will have parts as most parts are used on more than one make of MH / Caravan. They could of course try selling it but they will be lucky if they get anything like they paid for it.

I would also point your daughter in the general direction of eBay where they tell you the consequences of buying “ Off EBay “.

Perhaps you should give her a list of parts required and a few numbers to phone.

 

[Viennese]

not sure if you despair of the seller, or my daughter and son in law as buyers

if the latter, we were none of us born perfect, I have certainly made similar mistakes

Of course, however having a dad who must know something about them and has access to this fount of knowledge on Fun, makes me wonder why your opinion/advice would be ignored.

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[Jaws]

Damp is far from the of the world..
2 years ago youngest daughter bought a 1980's Laika a class.
The whole rear wall was sodden.
Son in law ( whose idea of DIY is cover it up with paint normally ! ) took it apart, removed all the manky wood, replaced the insulation ( bought from Wickes ! ) reboarded it and wall papered it.
Including the window removal, the resealing of everything and the rebuild, the whole thing was done in one rather full weekend for less than £60

I reckon that for less than another £400 and a bit of elbow grease they have got a good 'un...

 

[Wildbill]

Water pump get a sure flow used them for years very reliability
The damp photos of roof trim would help photos of window seals would help damp only comes from leaking roof lights the most likely culpret
Or the trim that seals the edge of the roof .
Being a old van owner all the thing youhav mention
I have at sum time came across them
Bill

 

[Wildbill]

Jus to Ade to my previous post look at what dose work the pick off the things that don't work one one at a time
Til their all working as for using it camping cooker and coals box
Soumwhar to sleep soumware to poo
Get out make the best of what that have
Bill

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[Wildbill]

So he has clearly done this before. I despair of people with no experience just going and buying something with no advice from someone who knows something!

By the grace of god go I
Bill

 

[Dilbert]

Got to love an old van, tinkering,repairing or just plain bodging .its better than watching daytime tv brilliant hobby!

 

[Silver-Fox]

they bought it having seen it on ebay, but bypassed them at the request of the seller

he even saved fees and potential comeback I reckon

eBay wouldn’t get involved when it comes to motors generally.

As said above if the owner knew about faults, not talking a lamp or similar, they are responsible and a refund can be demanded.
The law is on the buyers side.

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