Will you bother to have her serviced this year..............

Podney

Podney

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I’m talking about your motorhome ;)

For obvious reasons, our mileage this year will be lower than normal, about 2000 miles,depending on when we are let out to play again.
.
So the old Fiat X244, 2.8jtd, doesn’t really need servicing does it?

But,when the time come to sell her,a service record showing an unbroken story of TLC might be worth it.

Same might (yes I know a lot of folk think it’s a waste of money), apply to habitation service.

Obviously if you are still in warranty period,it’s a no brainer. Also depends what it might cost you.....£300 or thereabouts in total.

What will you do?????
 
Perhaps it's a good time to learn how to do your own servicing and save yourselves a minimum of £200 (South East prices).

Last year I had a service (at a reputable Water company I'd used before) where they overfilled the engine oil. I checked the oil level after I got home, a distance of 10 miles. The oil was black as Egypt's night. They subsequently agreed to rectify the situation, draining off the excess oil. By this time I'd lost all faith in their abilities.

Bought some fresh oil and filter and changed it myself. Ok a bit messy but had the satisfaction of knowing it was done properly. Will be doing the same this year plus all the other stuff (when required) like air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, lub of AL-CO rear axle etc. Only thing I'll leave to the so called experts is brakes, replacement of timing belt and anything outside my basic DIY skills.
 
Mine had its first service at 2 years last year so not due until next year.
Insurance coming up for renewal did think about reducing it to 6000 miles but I still think we will exceed that providing we can travel abroad by September, 2 trips will be 6000-7000 miles.
 
As we are now out of the formal guarantee period, I think an oil and filter change is all that’s necessary. It’s done BAM. (bugger all mileage). 20k in 4 years. This year it will do even less no doubt.
Unless anyone on the forum tells me differently, that’s how it’s going to be.
Phil

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Podney said:
So the old Fiat X244, 2.8jtd, doesn’t really need servicing does it?
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Oil and filter change and other filters are easily changed on that engine.
Brake pads are fairly easy to check.
If you`re phsically able and have the time why not give it a go ?
 
Podney said:
Coz I is a lazy old git! :giggle: (y) ;)
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A more serious,though not necessarily accurate reason,is that I’ve really lost the will to fiddle too much with mechanical and electrical stuff.

And fortunately I can afford to pay somebody who does actually know what he’s doing.

Shortly before I retired I bought a lovely old Morris Traveller to play with, having learnt to drive in a Minor in 1971. After Id taken the skin off my knuckles working on it for the third time,I realised its not my forte!

I do some minor jobs on the van,but I’m much happier in the garden...each to their own!
 
Habitstion booked, otherwise lose the water ingress warranty.

and will have the ford garage service to get the Ford assist european breakdown cover.
Otherwise wouldn’t bother and have my car mechanic , who does the vans MOT, change the oil and give it the once over. As envisaging little milage this year.
 
Just done oil and main filters even if only do 1500 in next year will still change oil and filter (euro6) and habitation to maintain warranty.

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AXO66 said:
Habitstion booked, otherwise lose the water ingress warranty.

and will have the ford garage service to get the Ford assist european breakdown cover.
Otherwise wouldn’t bother and have my car mechanic , who does the vans MOT, change the oil and give it the once over. As envisaging little milage this year.
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I'd check on the ford assist unless it's fairly new it used to be included if you have main dealer services but isn't anymore
 
I’m due a hab and cab service in January, possibly even more important if it is sat on the drive until then so I won’t be skipping. I also plan on getting the heating serviced at Alde.
 
Luckily I have the tools and knowledge to service my own vehicles . And love the older ones .
Before any long journey overseas an oil and filter change .
And a check and possible oil change again (+3000 mls)
This one prior to my ownership had stood around unseviced etc.
Brake system suspect so completely replaced.
Cambelt kit +wp (first job in my possession)replaced
All suspension replaced .
Clutch (my choice) replaced.
Now ready to go anywhere, but.......

Looking for things to do so as its parked outside my door will be going through it again .
Bored in Devon :giggle:
 
It`s a Bit of a conundrum really. On the one hand changing the the Oil/Filter could be seen as "desirable", given that the vehicle has been stood and the oil has possibly absorbed moisture?. Then there is the fact that modern oils are formulated differently (synthetics), and thereby may not?. However if you have DPF the oil (quality) is critical. And so it goes on!. Do you change it on a time basis (as we did with the older engines) or mileage? or can you rely on the latest Lubricants to continue performing?. One possibility if you have access to the means is to take a sample and have it checked?. But that is likely more expensive than just changing it, and that is just the lubricant!. So then we have the "rest". Idle vehicles do deteriorate, I know folk have laid them up for years but their is a regime for so doing properly, and older vehicles are IMV, more tolerant of this, too much electronic gadgetry on "moderns" to go wrong when idle. If the dashboard lights up like Xmas and won`t go out after a long layup, who do you call? Not ghostbusters!, And at attaching it to a diagnostic device is at least a £100! (£80 plus VAT, just to reset a light!). Food for thought Guys and Gals.?
 
gillnphil said:
As we are now out of the formal guarantee period, I think an oil and filter change is all that’s necessary. It’s done BAM. (bugger all mileage). 20k in 4 years. This year it will do even less no doubt.
Unless anyone on the forum tells me differently, that’s how it’s going to be.
Phil
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My car has done similar, 20k at 4 years old in January. Warranty expires next January and I’ve had to cancel service plan as I’m moving away. I was told cam belt should be changed at 6 years so could it do without a service next January and just have it’s MOT? I’ll do even less mileage than normal this year. On the upside fuel gauge hasn’t moved since I filled up a month ago.
 
The Wino said:
I'd check on the ford assist unless it's fairly new it used to be included if you have main dealer services but isn't anymore
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Serviced at main dealer Dec 19 and got the ford assist.
but will check this year. Thanks for the heads-up.(y)
 
AXO66 said:
Serviced at main dealer Dec 19 and got the ford assist.
but will check this year. Thanks for the heads-up.(y)
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Maybe were talking about something different. They used to do a European breakdown cover free if you had it serviced by a main dealer but I was told at our local dealer a couple of years ago that it had stopped. That being said it wouldn't be the first time I've been told wrong at a dealers

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On my vehicles my engine oil and filters get changed EVERY year without fail... even if they have only done minimum mileage as my vehicles do. So oil change at 3/4000 miles, or less, whether they need it or not.
 
poppycamper said:
On my vehicles my engine oil and filters get changed EVERY year without fail... even if they have only done minimum mileage as my vehicles do. So oil change at 3/4000 miles, or less, whether they need it or not.
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Older vehicle?. I would too. But the latest Oils are synthetic, allegedly are non hygroscopic and hold the crap in suspension (and bloody expensive), and have additves to stop the filter growing mould!. Do you still do it??. Is the question?.

Don`t forget Diesel can grow a crop of plants too if left too long?.
 
My van has a 2 year 25,000 mile service interval - due this year in August. I do about 10,000 miles a year & have the service done a a main dealer every 2 years

Hopefully, by then it will be ok to get it done in August, but if I cant get a booking I'm not too concerned if it gets done a couple of months late.

Worse case, I'll change the oil & filter myself. But, I understand that not everyone has the aptitude/ability/space/tools/etc to do it themselves
 
I will continue to get the hab service done until the rapido warranty ix over (checked at last hab is only 5 yrs). Diesel can grow nasties but is less likely with a full tank.
 
PeteH said:
Older vehicle?. I would too. But the latest Oils are synthetic, allegedly are non hygroscopic and hold the crap in suspension (and bloody expensive), and have additves to stop the filter growing mould!. Do you still do it??. Is the question?.

Don`t forget Diesel can grow a crop of plants too if left too long?.
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Yep read all that bumph as well Peteh... is it bumph???... who knows but you yourself used the word "allegedly", and old school dies hard and once you been brought up in an age where that was done thing it's hard to ignore.

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Yes, My vehicles are always over serviced, oil changes every year whatever and a Sevice on stated intervals which is mainly two years. when you think the investment individuals make on a MoHo, Car, Van etc its penny pinching not to service the vehicle.

My Track /Road Car has very limited milage, yet is serviced annually, Cam belt gets changed early.....if that engine goes its around £12K for another engine. If anything is advisory I always get it fixed. Could I 'save' money by not having a service or oil change, maybe, maybe not but I would prefer a car / van / MoHo in top serviced condition to not.
 
Wagoneer said:
Perhaps it's a good time to learn how to do your own servicing and save yourselves a minimum of £200 (South East prices).

Last year I had a service (at a reputable Water company I'd used before) where they overfilled the engine oil. I checked the oil level after I got home, a distance of 10 miles. The oil was black as Egypt's night. They subsequently agreed to rectify the situation, draining off the excess oil. By this time I'd lost all faith in their abilities.

Bought some fresh oil and filter and changed it myself. Ok a bit messy but had the satisfaction of knowing it was done properly. Will be doing the same this year plus all the other stuff (when required) like air filter, pollen filter, fuel filter, lub of AL-CO rear axle etc. Only thing I'll leave to the so called experts is brakes, replacement of timing belt and anything outside my basic DIY skills.
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The oil being black after a ten mile journey was nothing to do with the sump being overfilled,,,
The oil was black because it hadn't been changed,,, more than likely your "reputable" service outlet just dipped the sump and topped it up,,, and didn't even do that properly!
As for the oil filter,,, I bet they didn't get within a foot of it.

I'd be very tempted to give them another go,,, but mark the filter and put a slight colourant in the oil,,,
you might catch the b****ds bang to rites!
 
mitzimad said:
when i bought our car it had 18000 on the clock and five services
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How old was the car? if the services were equal that's one every 36,000 miles, and just a thought whilst the car will run it doesn't mean it is as efficient as a car that had been serviced regularly (there are programs and studies that show this).

Whats also interesting is the notion of mechanical sympathy, whilst some modern cars will inhibit 'full power' until an engine has warmed up but if you have just spent the last 3+ hours with a bit of spirited driving, do you ease off before stopping at the service station or arriving home just to let the temperatures within the engine cool a little?
 
A lot of emphasis is rightly so put on oil and filter change as a minimum but I would make sure a dampness test is also included in your minimum maintenance schedule?

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