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Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
nagsheadwarrior said:
Any experienced Motorhomer knows to order parts a good couple of months before they break.
Sorry, but that's one of the most ridiculous hings I've ever read on Pistonheads!!!!
If I know Jody, that was meant tongue in cheek!

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
quotequote all
After having done a bit of googling around, intercooler pipes can pop off due to excess pressure in the turbo circuit; most likely culprit it seems is the variable vane technology and in most cases, the actuator rod which controls this.

This seems to dovetail in with Mercedes original findings of "kinked actuator and coking on the pivot of the variable vane"

Hmmmmm, maybe they were on to something!

I'm more certain now, having found these references, that this could be the ultimate problem and even more keen to get it sorted.

nagsheadwarrior

2,779 posts

178 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
quotequote all
Spuffington said:
Rosscow said:
nagsheadwarrior said:
Any experienced Motorhomer knows to order parts a good couple of months before they break.
Sorry, but that's one of the most ridiculous hings I've ever read on Pistonheads!!!!
If I know Jody, that was meant tongue in cheek!
Lol tongue was defo in cheek tho that superpower would be ideal!

nagsheadwarrior

2,779 posts

178 months

Sunday 30th August 2015
quotequote all
I think I mentioned this when you were going through the decision making process but despite their teutonic reputation I've consistently had more issues with Sprinter based vans than anything else over the years.

Ironically despite their questionable reputation in commercial circles I've never had any grief with Renaults and for the numbers sold I've not had many major disasters with Fiats either.

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Monday 31st August 2015
quotequote all
nagsheadwarrior said:
I think I mentioned this when you were going through the decision making process but despite their teutonic reputation I've consistently had more issues with Sprinter based vans than anything else over the years.
Aye, that you did. Problem is, when it's on song, it's an absolutely brilliant van and that 5-cylinder is more powerful and smooth than any of Fiat's offerings from the same period.

In my mind, I'm 90% convinced that this issue is down to the turbo itself and exactly the diagnosis that Mercedes made back in July. I've presented my case to Drew, Erik and Annabel and requested they underwrite the cost of getting the turbo extracted and sent off to MB&G's specialist for inspection and hopefully exchange for a new one. If not, rejection will be the only route open to me.

nagsheadwarrior

2,779 posts

178 months

Monday 31st August 2015
quotequote all
Tis a peachy engine,I'm anti diesel but even I like that.
I'd say thats the best approach and very reasonable,I'm down there during the week i'll give em a kick.

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Monday 31st August 2015
quotequote all
nagsheadwarrior said:
Tis a peachy engine,I'm anti diesel but even I like that.
I'd say thats the best approach and very reasonable,I'm down there during the week i'll give em a kick.
Thanks Jody, would appreciate that.

Fact is, as much as we like the current one, in due course I am sure we'll buy another once the funds are there but if Harry doesn't go as planned, Mrs Spuff will never entertain another van and particularly not from Travelworld. IMO to safeguard my >30yrs+ of business, it's a small concession they need to make now for a longterm positive outcome.

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Ok, so I've spent about 3hrs reading various posts dotted around the internet on the issue. It seems this issue is not limited to Sprinters but plenty of Mercedes applications - S, E & C classes where the Garrett GT22V VNT (variable nozzle turbo) was installed.

The fault code mine threw last time it was in at Travelworld was "P1470-016" Low Boost Pressure, the diagnosis for which is suggested as the following:-

- check all vacuum & boost pipes (visually and pressure test)
- check EGR valve
- boost valve controller (turbo transducer), which I now understand is vacuum operated on my model year, only moving to electrical controllers from 2004.
- variable vane actuator

I'm presuming due to Mercedes taking a few hundred quid off me for a new turbo transducer in May, that the pipework has already been checked. But then again, Travelworld found a disconnected intercooler hose when they saw the van. Which is fine, but clearly not the crux of the issue. I'm also slightly concerned as the Tech at Travelworld mentioned "sticking wastegate" when I spoke to him on the phone when it happened on the M6 Toll - this Garrett turbo doesn't have a wastegate as the pressure is controlled by way of the variable nozzle technology.

Anyway, all of the above and research undertaken suggests that the issue is with the variable vane actuator (as previously assumed). It turns out that it can become corroded or coked up (Mercedes original diagnostic), which leads to intermittent operation. I presume where a demand is made quickly for power, it struggles to move in time, which is what trips LHM. Although some suggest that it can be half disconnected, have GT85 applied and greased at the bottom of the pivot, the "proper" way of dealing with this is to replace the turbo, given the actuator rod has to be calibrated from factory.

Tech from Travelworld has confirmed receipt of my email and will be discussing with his Service Manager tomorrow and calling me in the afternoon with their suggestion for next steps.

All of this makes me far more positive that this issue is resolvable.

Edited by Spuffington on Tuesday 1st September 11:17

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

201 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Hi,
Have just picked up on your on going problems, sorry to hear that it is still on going.

I really do hope that this gets sorted this time around rather than being given the run around.

Best Wishes

KT

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Thanks KT.

I'm half way there. I'm not sure whether they've just missed the point or have done it as part of their strategy, but I had a phonecall today telling me to go ahead with getting the van booked in with the Mercedes dealer and get them working on replacing the turbo, together with MB&G warranty. This wasn't what I was looking for, since I wanted Travelworld to underwrite the labour cost should MB&G for whatever reason decline the turbo replacement. BUT, I'm getting to the point now where I just don't care and want to get something sorted.

Since the turbo actuator is the most likely problem (after all my research, albeit there is still a question mark over whether brake pedal & clutch switch could also be a problem), I'm just going to bite the bullet, get the thing booked in (already done and going in on 15th Sept) and just try and get the blasted thing sorted.

If I end up carrying a bill for the work, then so be it, I'll then be challenging Travelworld to refund this money and if they refuse or there's a protracted delay, then I'll engage the services of a Solicitor to reclaim it via whatever legals means available to me. The good thing is, the whole sorry saga is recorded on here so at least from a chronology perspective, it's un-arguable.

On the one hand, I'm really positive about getting it functioning again, but Travelworld's inability to either comprehend what I'm asking for or the lack of any formal apology for all the hassle is what leaves me wondering if I'm doing the right thing trying to get it resolved. We love the van (and it's a good job we do) because otherwise I'd have rejected it long ago. But I wonder sometimes how much they're playing on our attachement to it.

We'll see.

All I can say is - watch this space. I do hope this is the end of the matter, but I remain unconvinced.

SimesJH

768 posts

150 months

Thursday 3rd September 2015
quotequote all
You're making a positive step. That's important to you and your wellbeing. There's little value in destroying yourself over this, in my view.

You either reject the thing or see it through. And as you admit to liking the 'van then getting the work done with a trail to demonstrate it's the next logical and reasonable step seems the right thing to do.

What are your alternatives? Park it at TW and leave it there until they fix it? Get your solicitor involved now?

I hope this 'final' repair really does sort things, I really do.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Thursday 3rd September 2015
quotequote all
nagsheadwarrior said:
Spuffington said:
Rosscow said:
nagsheadwarrior said:
Any experienced Motorhomer knows to order parts a good couple of months before they break.
Sorry, but that's one of the most ridiculous hings I've ever read on Pistonheads!!!!
If I know Jody, that was meant tongue in cheek!
Lol tongue was defo in cheek tho that superpower would be ideal!
Oh hehe

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Friday 11th September 2015
quotequote all
So, dropped off and collected Harry today! The chap at All Klasse Autos was totally honest and told me he couldn't, hand on heart, tell me what the problem was.

The diagnostics showed multiple "Low Boost Pressure" fault codes but nothing else. None of the vacuum or boost hoses were loose or split and the turbo actuator, when running on the diagnostic test programme, didn't stick or show any evidence of problems.

They took it on a 4mile road test with live diagnostics and all the parameters are within range and drives as it should.

The only one thing he could see was that the wiring to the boost sensor was very tight and was pulling on the plug. He therefore removed the plug and rerouted the wiring so as to give it more slack. The thought being that tension on it might make for a weak connection and that could be what's throwing the fault code.

Other than that, the ECU fault memory was completely erased and the van is driving very well indeed.

Although it would've been nice to find a split hose or sticky actuator, I'm pleased the chap seems to have done far more investigative work than either Travelworld or Mercedes and totally honest - given what I told him, he could've screwed me for a new turbo. Big respect, only £54 down for what would've cost me 3-4x as much with Mercedes.

Here's hoping he's sorted it. But in any event, would have no issue recommending All Klasse Autos at Bishops Stortford in future.

Filled up with derv on the way home and averaged 23.4mpg on last tank which wasn't bad considering a lot was local stuff. Reckon 25mpg is do-able for a lazy motorway journey.

Have bought a K&N panel filter to pop in but have subsequently read negative stories on its filtration ability and wondering whether or not to install it now. Anyone with any first hand experience?

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

201 months

Friday 11th September 2015
quotequote all
Spuffington said:
So, dropped off and collected Harry today! The chap at All Klasse Autos was totally honest and told me he couldn't, hand on heart, tell me what the problem was.

The diagnostics showed multiple "Low Boost Pressure" fault codes but nothing else. None of the vacuum or boost hoses were loose or split and the turbo actuator, when running on the diagnostic test programme, didn't stick or show any evidence of problems.

They took it on a 4mile road test with live diagnostics and all the parameters are within range and drives as it should.

The only one thing he could see was that the wiring to the boost sensor was very tight and was pulling on the plug. He therefore removed the plug and rerouted the wiring so as to give it more slack. The thought being that tension on it might make for a weak connection and that could be what's throwing the fault code.

Other than that, the ECU fault memory was completely erased and the van is driving very well indeed.

Although it would've been nice to find a split hose or sticky actuator, I'm pleased the chap seems to have done far more investigative work than either Travelworld or Mercedes and totally honest - given what I told him, he could've screwed me for a new turbo. Big respect, only £54 down for what would've cost me 3-4x as much with Mercedes.

Here's hoping he's sorted it. But in any event, would have no issue recommending All Klasse Autos at Bishops Stortford in future.

Filled up with derv on the way home and averaged 23.4mpg on last tank which wasn't bad considering a lot was local stuff. Reckon 25mpg is do-able for a lazy motorway journey.

Have bought a K&N panel filter to pop in but have subsequently read negative stories on its filtration ability and wondering whether or not to install it now. Anyone with any first hand experience?
Fingers crossed for you, when are you likely to take her for a run to see if that has cured the possible problem ?
All the very best.
KT

BigBob

1,471 posts

224 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
quotequote all
Really, really hope it has been sorted for you mate smile

Having just come back from a month touring Europe I would guess that 25mpg is very 'doable'. We averaged 26mpg over the month in mixed driving - including quick motorway stuff, ambling about and 5 days spent traversing high Alpine passes where you couldn't get out of 2nd/3rd gear for hours at a time smile All fully loaded wink

Woke up one day with a severe case of cramp in my thigh and calf muscles - didn't know why until I realised how much breaking I was doing every couple of hundred yards wink

BB

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Sunday 27th September 2015
quotequote all
So, not really had a chance to categorically test whether the reroute of the boost pressure sensor cable has worked, but we have had three trips totalling 30miles, completely without incident, so I'm hoping that we can put that one behind us.

But as one problem is solved, another rears its ugly head! frown

Today we took Harry just for a quick day trip to Hertford so he could stretch his legs and so could my daughter at the playground and fields. She fell asleep on the way there, so once we go to the site, I pulled down the overcab bed to get her memory foam topper for the sofa for her to sleep on. Sopping wet! The whole bloody thing, and the duvet on top of it and our mattress (to a lesser extent) below it!

A quick hand wipe of the Remis skylight confirmed it was coming from the leading edge of the skylight housing and had obviously been doing so for a while. We haven't slept in Harry for a good month or so, so it could've been coming in since then.

So, add to that the problem that the flush pipes are leaking above the toilet cassette and dripping a small but significant enough amount of water into the cassette well upon flushing and the shower tray has begun to crack around the base of the toilet, I'm pretty pissed off.

I'll check the van into M&G caravans this week to get all of it looked at. I think the roof light just needs removing, aperture and window frame cleaning, reseating and resealing. I'm pretty sure the leak will be a case of tightening some jubilee clips but I've not got a scooby now to get to them, and I guess the interim solution to the cracked floor tray is to open it a little and stick some bathroom sealant in there until such time as I can afford to get someone else to replace the floor or brave enough to tackle it myself. Gggrrr.

I guess at some point in the near future, everything will work as it should and we'll actually enjoy using it!

In the meantime, it's costing a fortune and proving to be a bit of a millstone around our necks.

I'm hoping things will change soon and also once we get into our new house in the next few weeks, we'll have more chance to either keep on top of things or use him more often.

Watch this space.......

surveyor

17,764 posts

183 months

Sunday 27th September 2015
quotequote all
Spuffington said:
So, not really had a chance to categorically test whether the reroute of the boost pressure sensor cable has worked, but we have had three trips totalling 30miles, completely without incident, so I'm hoping that we can put that one behind us.

But as one problem is solved, another rears its ugly head! frown

Today we took Harry just for a quick day trip to Hertford so he could stretch his legs and so could my daughter at the playground and fields. She fell asleep on the way there, so once we go to the site, I pulled down the overcab bed to get her memory foam topper for the sofa for her to sleep on. Sopping wet! The whole bloody thing, and the duvet on top of it and our mattress (to a lesser extent) below it!

A quick hand wipe of the Remis skylight confirmed it was coming from the leading edge of the skylight housing and had obviously been doing so for a while. We haven't slept in Harry for a good month or so, so it could've been coming in since then.

So, add to that the problem that the flush pipes are leaking above the toilet cassette and dripping a small but significant enough amount of water into the cassette well upon flushing and the shower tray has begun to crack around the base of the toilet, I'm pretty pissed off.

I'll check the van into M&G caravans this week to get all of it looked at. I think the roof light just needs removing, aperture and window frame cleaning, reseating and resealing. I'm pretty sure the leak will be a case of tightening some jubilee clips but I've not got a scooby now to get to them, and I guess the interim solution to the cracked floor tray is to open it a little and stick some bathroom sealant in there until such time as I can afford to get someone else to replace the floor or brave enough to tackle it myself. Gggrrr.

I guess at some point in the near future, everything will work as it should and we'll actually enjoy using it!

In the meantime, it's costing a fortune and proving to be a bit of a millstone around our necks.

I'm hoping things will change soon and also once we get into our new house in the next few weeks, we'll have more chance to either keep on top of things or use him more often.

Watch this space.......
I always come back with a to do list once we've used our caravan, and when we first got it I was chasing a few things such as broken taps around.... I suspect that with a motorhome you get (well you certainly have) the added mechanical problems as well.

Hope you get it all sorted soon....

BigBob

1,471 posts

224 months

Tuesday 29th September 2015
quotequote all
surveyor said:
I always come back with a to do list once we've used our caravan, and when we first got it I was chasing a few things such as broken taps around.... I suspect that with a motorhome you get (well you certainly have) the added mechanical problems as well.

Hope you get it all sorted soon....

Being an compulsive 'tinkerer' that can't relax, I've always joked that our motorhome comes back from a trip in better conditon than it left smile

Just can't sit down and relax so all the little jobs get done.

BB

Spuffington

Original Poster:

1,203 posts

167 months

Wednesday 30th September 2015
quotequote all
Thanks chaps. I'm feeling a little more pragmatic about it now. I think you're right that it's inevitable that things need tinkering and fettling to get right and we're still in a bedding in phase with the motorhome and getting to know it. At some point we'll be on top of most of these things and we can set about enjoying it. Unfortunately, we're in the process of buying a new house too and having had a survey come back telling of damp on that and needing remedial work, we're pretty fed up with all things house at the moment - whether mobile or fixed!

That said, I took Harry to M&G caravans in Royston yesterday and they've been fab. Booked me in quickly and did all the required work yesterday. Unfortunately I couldn't get to pick it up but in the evening but will be collecting tonight. I can wholeheartedly recommend them both in terms of their setup aswell as their location if you need to get into London - 10mins walk to the station and 50mins into KingsX.

Work done was:

- removed, cleaned, re-bedded and sealed the over-cab skylight
- replaced the seal on the toilet bowel around the disc which drops into the cassette
- fettled flush pipework to stop leak into the cassette surround
- installed new catches for the fridge (which I bought ages ago and not got around to fitting)

330quid in total. I've added on top of that a Thetford Fresh-Up kit since the cassette itself had a bit of a leak and find it repulsive the idea of replacing seals on that. Rather just get a new unit.

Other good news (and I hope this continues to be the case tonight on the way home) is that I've now done about 80miles in Harry since it was looked at by All Klasse Autos and not had another episode of Limp Home Mode. So I'm very much hoping we may be able to draw a line under that. Hope I don't live to regret that comment!!

Kneetrembler

2,069 posts

201 months

Wednesday 30th September 2015
quotequote all
So sorry to hear that other problems have cropped up, hopefully now cured.
Any chance that you can have a weekend away in the van before the weather changes just to give you a nice feel about it all since the problems started ?

I'm still waiting for a certain item, very poor service !!!!!

KT