What have you fixed on your motorhome this week? (1 Viewer)

Sep 4, 2020
165
409
Chester
Funster No
75,447
MH
Hymer S630
Exp
Since 2018
Well having only owned the Hymer for just over a week its been a fairly busy week of discovery work prep and planning! So far...

Poked out damp bits of wood under rear garage, dried, sealed, filled and uncoated.

Cleaned up underslung gas bottle, repainted, undersealed and fixed inboard level meter

Removed broken bike rack, started prep on the built in rack door to refit.

Gave up trying to source replacement wing mirror as I couldn't find a replacement and Hymer want rock star money for a new one so ordered a universal set from magnumvs for a third of the price of one new Hymer one.

Corrected polarity on water pump

Ordered new bathroom basin from Derek Justice (again for much less than Hymer!)

Removed kitchen tap and ordered new

Flushed through water system.

Cleaned out grey water tank and probes 🤢 Identified tank leak to inspection bung so awaiting new one.

Identified lots of other little jobs that could do with sorting!

I'm planning on doing a photo breakdown of the basin removal and replacement in the bathroom, should be interesting to see how much of the bathroom I have to remove to get it out!

Although it sounds like I have a wreck of a van, the mercedes side of things has been looked after and is running perfectly! Just appears that the previous owners were a bit heavy handed on the habitation side so some TLC should get it back to its former glory! 😁

Jake
 
Mar 25, 2020
169
593
Funster No
69,618
MH
SWIFT KONTIKI 649
Exp
SINCE 1980
1. Straightened up bent motor bike rack
2. Replaced broken tail light bulb
3. Installed motion-sensitive light above motor bike rack
4. Installed an extra set of tail-lights/indicators high on van, above motor bike rack.

Did the last one after repeatedly getting angry beeps from people for whom it seemed our tail lights/indicators were obscured by our bike, depending on what angle they were behind us, or how low their vehicle was, etc.

Now on the road to Malta!
 
Sep 4, 2020
165
409
Chester
Funster No
75,447
MH
Hymer S630
Exp
Since 2018
Haha sounds like between us we have the perfect Hymer! Mine is a 2002 on the Mercedes base. I may have been a bit too optimistic on the mechanical front. I have noticed that the temperature creeps up on the motorway and slight inclines so I also have some cooling system investigation to carry out. It has coolant and the fan kicks in when getting hot but I think that maybe the radiator isn't as efficient or maybe a little blocked...
Yes, reversing bodges seems to be the majority of my work. Turns out the previous owners answer to most problems was a hot glue gun or some insulating tape!

I don't know about you but I keep going through waves of panic at what needs to be done then realise there's no rush and everyone loves a project right?! ;)

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Calamaster

Free Member
Jun 12, 2019
166
238
Surrey, UK
Funster No
61,603
MH
Autotrail Cheyenne 6
Exp
Since 2017
Fixed This Week
Rear Brake Cable
Longer HDMI leads to both TVs
4G Receiver Charger packed up. Made own.
Created external Water Barrel Pump to Water Inlet
New Water Inlet and lock.

Looking Into
Air Suspension
New Leaf Springs
More LED Lighting
 

movan

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 2, 2009
21,492
120,752
Moving around
Funster No
9,543
MH
Burstner
Exp
since07
The main lighting in our MH is nearly 2 metres of LED ribbon type strip down each side over the top of the overhead lockers. We find this to bright and they draw 3 amps.
I found that each side was in two halves with link wiring at the mid point, so I have broken into the wiring at this mid point and now have each section individually switched, and find that just one of the four sections lit is just about the right light level for us plus it's only pulling .75 of an amp now. (y)

View attachment 425144

Wish I was clever enough to do stuff like that. :(

I havn't got enough years left to learn all the electrical/plumbing/ joinery I need to make my van perfect for me.
 

DuxDeluxe

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 10, 2008
14,627
72,221
Planet Zog
Funster No
3,243
MH
A woosh bang van
Exp
since 2008
A rusty exhaust was an advisory on the MOT Just before lockdown. First time out, the end tip rusted away completely leading to hot exhaust gases pointed directly at the underfloor locker rather than downwards which resulted in a big hole melted in the locker and a load of stuff melted inside including a wheel chock which was welded to the locker by the heat. An emergency repair involving gun gum and a tin can, plus @shunter‘s expertise at Highlands End gave a temporary fix. A disposable aluminium baking tray was glues and taped in place as a temporary heat shield. It worked very well

91A17AA6-22C5-4BE9-BFDD-DE6739986411.jpeg


The new exhaust was on back order and did not arrive until last week.

0ACB382D-8F84-4393-8946-02CB02A12E6B.jpeg


With the aid of a trusty multi tool the melted stuff and the chock was ground out

Before and after pics:

FCBF8606-AECA-4377-BA9B-FDF71A1E1249.jpeg


The heat shield was left there as it is underneath anyway
70F6DFFC-D0BC-48A6-B33B-A5FF691E2535.jpeg


some thick plastic sheet was cut to size and then bent 90° with the aid of some heat and left to harden in shape

2A09581D-B44D-4E69-B51D-5C6BB495A9F9.jpeg


fitment checked and then glued and taped in place. Used Gorilla glue as it foams up and expands to fill the gaps as the locker side was warped a bit with the heat

4333243C-AEC9-449B-97D5-1058CCC9BC1A.jpeg

F0179394-C7D0-4825-B3C7-76EED458B4DC.jpeg


Finally finished off with a bit of silicone sealant

0CAA2083-F496-49AD-BD50-CD97A37789F2.jpeg


Yes, it is a botch but a reasonable and robust repair.
 

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TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Not on the motorhome, but on my new daily driver, a ford transit custom, so the same as a PVC.

Installed an OBD ports lock and relocation kit
Installed an OEM equivalent rear camera built into the high level brake light
Installed a monitor for the camera in place of the internal rear view mirror
Installed side steps/running boards
 
Apr 13, 2019
545
1,285
Funster No
59,878
MH
Burstner 747-2
Exp
since 2010
Hi all, fitting a champion dual fuel generator in my my garage, ordered a custom built exhaust to fit through floor, ordered a change over switch to select generator or EHU. need to run the LPG to the garage and fit isolater and valve, hope to finish this week.

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Sep 4, 2020
165
409
Chester
Funster No
75,447
MH
Hymer S630
Exp
Since 2018
Yeah that seems like a good first step. I plan on removing the thermostat anyway to flush the entire cooling system. As you say, go for the cheaper options first!

I think that is always the best way to learn. I think the most important thing is to be confident to at least have a go. Before buying ours, I spent a lot of time looking at common problems, things to look out for and more importantly what was involved in putting them right!
This is true. My other half made me put everything that needs/wants doing down on a list then prioritise based on impending winter weather, roadworthyness, cost etc. This has made things seem less overwhelming and more manageable!

Good luck with the rebuild, it sounds like you've got it all in hand. It'll be good to know at the end of it all that there are no gremlins hiding anywhere waiting to spoil a trip away!
 
Aug 6, 2013
11,941
16,527
Kendal, Cumbria
Funster No
27,352
MH
Le-Voyageur RX958 Pl
Exp
since 1999
Also removed and cleaned out our whale water pressure switch. After months of random pulsing and various hunts for non existent pipework leaks it turns out that it was full of little black shavings. I’m guessing that when they fitted the black plastic water tank and had drilled out the various holes required for the pipe work, nobody bother actually removing the debris afterward. Lazy beggars
There's usually a filter fitted between the tank and an external waterpump. Worth fitting one if you haven't already.
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Yeah that seems like a good first step. I plan on removing the thermostat anyway to flush the entire cooling system. As you say, go for the cheaper options first!
Good idea to flush the system with the thermostat removed, just remember that flushing an old radiator will remove sludge that has built up, but can lead to multiple leaks appearing from the core. The brass gets wafer thin and often it is the build up of muck in the core that blocks the leaks. Be prepared to replace it and if not, thats a bonus

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Calamaster

Free Member
Jun 12, 2019
166
238
Surrey, UK
Funster No
61,603
MH
Autotrail Cheyenne 6
Exp
Since 2017
Good idea to flush the system with the thermostat removed, just remember that flushing an old radiator will remove sludge that has built up, but can lead to multiple leaks appearing from the core. The brass gets wafer thin and often it is the build up of muck in the core that blocks the leaks. Be prepared to replace it and if not, thats a bonus
We did this and the result was the 'hole' in the radiator became 'unblocked' and water came out everywhere! Bought and fitted a new one. Quite cheap I seem to remember.
 
Sep 4, 2020
165
409
Chester
Funster No
75,447
MH
Hymer S630
Exp
Since 2018
Good idea to flush the system with the thermostat removed, just remember that flushing an old radiator will remove sludge that has built up, but can lead to multiple leaks appearing from the core. The brass gets wafer thin and often it is the build up of muck in the core that blocks the leaks. Be prepared to replace it and if not, thats a bonus
Yeah I'm hoping for the best this weekend! Plan will be drain and flush radiator to remove whatever deposits are in there then remove the thermostat and flush the whole system 👍
 

Emmit

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 14, 2009
8,004
17,529
Cornwall
Funster No
7,967
MH
Pilote Explorateur
Exp
Jan.2014
The key on our Fiamma Safe Lock, (You know, the one that swivels to cross the Hab. door opening) decided to go on strike half way through it's Lock/Unlock cycle.

Fortunately the fixture was in the unlocked position so it was merely a question of removing the item from the door jamb and removing the lock barrel.

A call to Johns Cross on Tuesday, resulted in a shiny new lock and two keys arriving today.

With MHF Discount, (thank you Johns Cross) Total cost £23.50

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Feb 2, 2015
2,283
7,264
Shropshire, UK
Funster No
34,975
MH
A motorhome!
Exp
we are still learning
A call to Johns Cross on Tuesday, resulted in a shiny new lock and two keys arriving today.

With MHF Discount, (thank you Johns Cross) Total cost £23.50

I really dont think you can beat their services at all? Excellent bunch of folks ! We ordered some Mesh panels for the Awning from them on Wednesday evening. DPD delivered this morning! Excellent stuff!

Kev
 
Feb 15, 2014
705
1,234
cambridgeshire
Funster No
30,113
MH
Bessacar E450
Exp
3 years
found a leak on the shurflo pump between the head and body.only seemed to leak when pump running but had took a long time to shut off a couple of times, tightened the screws and it seems ok now but seems to have been put together with silicone so might need looking at again

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Oct 7, 2013
5,867
36,736
South Wales
Funster No
28,463
MH
Swift Escape Compact
Exp
Since 1988
Not so much a fix as a modification. After my last trip I found that a minor annoyance was having to refill the fresh water tank every day even though we had a water tap on our pitch. I thought how much easier it would be if i could just connect the hose to the water source on arrival at the pitch, turn the water tap on and then forget about it. So after some thinking about it I've fitted this extra water connector to the outside of the m/h and float valve inside the fresh water tank to make refilling automatic. Obviously i still have to empty the waste water manually but at least it's one less thing to have to think about. Very easy to do and cheap as well.

View attachment 424409 View attachment 424410 View attachment 424417 View attachment 424411 View attachment 424412 View attachment 424413 View attachment 424414
Now that is impressive!

Especially as your avatar says you don’t have a motorhome! :cool:

Nice job though.(y)
 
Feb 15, 2010
83
563
North Notts
Funster No
10,290
MH
Autotrail Cheyanne 584
Exp
Since 1992
Replaced the rear crankshaft oil seal and while it was stripped replaced the cluch, be foolish not to, both parts were 23 years old and had covered 100,000 miles. The cluch still had life in it but you never know for how long
 
Oct 18, 2014
1,855
1,155
Salisbury
Funster No
33,868
MH
Hymer B598 PL
Exp
Since 2013
Replaced the rear crankshaft oil seal and while it was stripped replaced the cluch, be foolish not to, both parts were 23 years old and had covered 100,000 miles. The cluch still had life in it but you never know for how long
Impressive!

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Sep 4, 2020
165
409
Chester
Funster No
75,447
MH
Hymer S630
Exp
Since 2018
Today's task (on an ever growing list!) Was remove the Sat system and plate the holes in the roof prior to installing a solar panel...
20200919_184114.jpg

This was the mess that I was left with once it was removed!
20200920_114430.jpg

Some sealant remover gel and a bathroom sealant tool worked well, took a few rounds as there was a lot of sealant!
20200920_190222.jpg

After a good few hours finally finished! After looking around at different options to fill the holes, I settled on some conduit junction box covers (cheap and readily available) and used Puraflex 40 to seal them.

Whilst it looks a bit messy still, this will eventually be covered by a solar panel. The roof gland needs replacing but should save me having to drill yet another hole for the solar cables!

Jake
 
Jul 5, 2013
11,713
13,681
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
Cured the Airbag warning light coming on on my Fiat based Hymer B678. Found and removed the Airbag ECU and sent it to CrashData in Liverpool on Tuesday. Had it repaired and returned on Friday and successfully refitted on Saturday. That route was a lot cheaper than going to a Fiat dealer who would have just fitted a new ECU and charged me upwards of £500 for the privilege.

The only hiccup was that I found at that it is very difficult to ensure that there is no electrical supply to the engine side. Needed to do that before refitting as I had heard of horror stories of the bags being deployed as you connected the ECU. Just removing the engine battery negative lead did not work, as charge was still coming in from EHU and solar. The easiest way was to make the final connections after dark with the EHU disconnected!

I had to remove the lower part of the centre dash to get good access to the Airbag ECU so I decided to fit a couple of QC3 USB ports into it while I had it all exposed. It became difficult when I decided to run them off the habitation batteries rather than the engine battery. Finally managed to find a way back to one of the existing circuits for the 12v sockets that kept all the wires hidden. Photo of the finished item
new usb socket.jpg


I chose that type because it has a built in switch so it uses no electricity when off.

I really must give the dashboard a clean though!
 

Vic. Parsons.

Free Member
Mar 2, 2015
415
1,970
Wales
Funster No
35,297
MH
Hymermobil S740
Exp
since 2014
We're in Portugal and we had our offside mirror back cover destroyed by an HGV travelling on the white line, (not the first time it's happened) I couldn't get any further over without leaving the road so the mirror took the hit.
We stopped and I picked up the pieces, seven in all along with a couple of smaller pieces that I couldn't find.
So, not much chance of finding a replacement here in Portugal and £48.00 plus delivery from the UK. Ok, so I'll just repair it. 😁
Because I have been doing 3d printing with ABS, I happened to have a bottle of black ABS slurry which I made up before we left. It's made with small off cuts of ABS dissolved into Acetone to make a fairly thick glue. This makes for an exceptionally good ABS weld.
After sticking the parts back together I ran a line of slurry behind the breaks to reinforce it:

20200924_090207.jpg


Then I used the slurry to help fill out the cracks on the outer surface before more sanding:

20200924_101518.jpg


20200924_105643.jpg


Then sanded down to 400 grit before priming with a clear plastic primer and then grey primer:

20200924_111941.jpg


Then a satin black top coat after some more 400 grit sanding:

20200924_121532.jpg


It's not perfect by any means, but it will do until I return to the UK and order a replacement. 😬
 

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