Back to the fold....
Discussion
Thanks KT and sorry to hear you're also struggling still.
We're talking about going away this weekend in Harry so something to look forward to. I'd like to go up to Norfolk but fear Mrs Spuff just wants to go somewhere a bit more local. We'll see who wins!
I'm hoping we're on the way to actually enjoying ownership now. Certainly had our share of downs.
We're talking about going away this weekend in Harry so something to look forward to. I'd like to go up to Norfolk but fear Mrs Spuff just wants to go somewhere a bit more local. We'll see who wins!
I'm hoping we're on the way to actually enjoying ownership now. Certainly had our share of downs.
Even if Mrs Spuff wins and you stay local it may be worth going 'the long way around' to put some miles on it. It'll give you a chance to check if the fault is really cured when everything has got really warm and will help build confidence for future trips.
Enjoy your weekend away - we're sailing to Bilbao from Portsmouth on Wednesday for a couple of weeks of sun (hopefully)
BB
Enjoy your weekend away - we're sailing to Bilbao from Portsmouth on Wednesday for a couple of weeks of sun (hopefully)
BB
Have a great time in Spain - very jealous! 
LHM seems to be sorted now. I've put the van through its paces both locally and on the motorway now over a longer distance and, so far so good, it seems to be absolutely fine. I've tried to replicate the situations where it had a problem previously, but to no avail. Ironically, after being quoted thousands of pounds for new turbo and various ancillary work, it was a 60quid fix of re-routing a sensor cable! I'm fully convinced by All Klasse Autos and will take the vehicle there every time from now on - they have proved they know what they're doing and also don't just charge for the most expensive job!
We ended up heading up to Thetford Forest CC&C site and having a lovely time. The weather was lovely and even though there was nearly a frost overnight, the van stayed cosy and warm and we all enjoyed ourselves.
Two more issues, although I've come to expect this from every trip now!
- wife somehow broke the check-strap for the cab door! I say she broke it, but in actual fact, the hinge had almost siezed so it was in fact corrosion which prevented it from moving quick enough and sheard the bolts off. Door is fine (although a bit of plastic trim broke in the process) but I will need to work out a way of securing it again, if only with cable ties until I get it screwed on properly, since the door is now very capable of hitting the wing mirror!
- aircon needs regassing. Pretty feeble on the way back from Thetford - although it was "only" 18degs C outside, the sun was shining straight through the windscreen and baking us. Feel another trip to All Klasse Autos on the cards!
But in spite of the above, we're back in love with Harry and can't wait to get out in him more.
LHM seems to be sorted now. I've put the van through its paces both locally and on the motorway now over a longer distance and, so far so good, it seems to be absolutely fine. I've tried to replicate the situations where it had a problem previously, but to no avail. Ironically, after being quoted thousands of pounds for new turbo and various ancillary work, it was a 60quid fix of re-routing a sensor cable! I'm fully convinced by All Klasse Autos and will take the vehicle there every time from now on - they have proved they know what they're doing and also don't just charge for the most expensive job!
We ended up heading up to Thetford Forest CC&C site and having a lovely time. The weather was lovely and even though there was nearly a frost overnight, the van stayed cosy and warm and we all enjoyed ourselves.
Two more issues, although I've come to expect this from every trip now!
- wife somehow broke the check-strap for the cab door! I say she broke it, but in actual fact, the hinge had almost siezed so it was in fact corrosion which prevented it from moving quick enough and sheard the bolts off. Door is fine (although a bit of plastic trim broke in the process) but I will need to work out a way of securing it again, if only with cable ties until I get it screwed on properly, since the door is now very capable of hitting the wing mirror!
- aircon needs regassing. Pretty feeble on the way back from Thetford - although it was "only" 18degs C outside, the sun was shining straight through the windscreen and baking us. Feel another trip to All Klasse Autos on the cards!
But in spite of the above, we're back in love with Harry and can't wait to get out in him more.
So, not been out in Harry since Thetford, but we will be putting him into "day van mode" at the weekend since we have friends coming down from Yorkshire and they want to do a bit of outdoorsy stuff around Epping Forest, so makes sense to have a base for some trail walking where we can have a cuppa and spot of lunch. Will only be a 30mile round trip but enough to at least get the wheels turning again.
We've also just exchanged on a new house, so Harry will be deployed as our interim housing solution for a good few nights to come. We collect the keys to our new place on 4th Dec but given the amount of building work needing doing before we move in, we've got alternative accomodation planned but will be parking Harry at the new house and staying in him every weekend until New Year when we move in so we can keep an eye on the house and maintain the garden.
Looking forward to a non-travelling adventure for the latter part of 2015!!
We've also just exchanged on a new house, so Harry will be deployed as our interim housing solution for a good few nights to come. We collect the keys to our new place on 4th Dec but given the amount of building work needing doing before we move in, we've got alternative accomodation planned but will be parking Harry at the new house and staying in him every weekend until New Year when we move in so we can keep an eye on the house and maintain the garden.
Looking forward to a non-travelling adventure for the latter part of 2015!!
As a quick break before house-move, we've booked a long weekend (Fri-Mon) at Kelling Heath between Holt & Sheringham, Norfolk.
We've been there once before with the last motorhome and whilst we had a nice time (weather was great and we did lots of walking over the heathland), the site was a Little too commercial for us. And as a result we haven't been back.
However, in some ways that's the reason we're heading back now. Given the weather was unpredictable when we booked it - it's now looking dreadful and mindful of that, we thought that having a swimming pool, gym/Fitness centre, restaurant & bar and shop all on site meant that we would at least while away rainy days doing something rather than couped up in the van together.
Also, I hadn't appreciated just how difficult it would be to book something in November - it seems most campsites shut down after October half-term.
I was up for going to France, but given all the issues still at Calais, I wasn't willing to risk being caught up in something just for four days. And it seemed like a bit too Long a drive up to Ullswater from Essex, again, just for four days.
So, here's hoping Kelling Heath looks after us and the van doesn't get blown over in the wind! :/
We've been there once before with the last motorhome and whilst we had a nice time (weather was great and we did lots of walking over the heathland), the site was a Little too commercial for us. And as a result we haven't been back.
However, in some ways that's the reason we're heading back now. Given the weather was unpredictable when we booked it - it's now looking dreadful and mindful of that, we thought that having a swimming pool, gym/Fitness centre, restaurant & bar and shop all on site meant that we would at least while away rainy days doing something rather than couped up in the van together.
Also, I hadn't appreciated just how difficult it would be to book something in November - it seems most campsites shut down after October half-term.
I was up for going to France, but given all the issues still at Calais, I wasn't willing to risk being caught up in something just for four days. And it seemed like a bit too Long a drive up to Ullswater from Essex, again, just for four days.
So, here's hoping Kelling Heath looks after us and the van doesn't get blown over in the wind! :/
Spuffington said:
As a quick break before house-move, we've booked a long weekend (Fri-Mon) at Kelling Heath between Holt & Sheringham, Norfolk.
We've been there once before with the last motorhome and whilst we had a nice time (weather was great and we did lots of walking over the heathland), the site was a Little too commercial for us. And as a result we haven't been back.
However, in some ways that's the reason we're heading back now. Given the weather was unpredictable when we booked it - it's now looking dreadful and mindful of that, we thought that having a swimming pool, gym/Fitness centre, restaurant & bar and shop all on site meant that we would at least while away rainy days doing something rather than couped up in the van together.
Also, I hadn't appreciated just how difficult it would be to book something in November - it seems most campsites shut down after October half-term.
I was up for going to France, but given all the issues still at Calais, I wasn't willing to risk being caught up in something just for four days. And it seemed like a bit too Long a drive up to Ullswater from Essex, again, just for four days.
So, here's hoping Kelling Heath looks after us and the van doesn't get blown over in the wind! :/
We are living in ours at the moment as well as using it for weekends away and have been since 30th June, probably until next June as we are re-building another house, but we love it 😎........... However tonight and last night was pretty rocky and where we are on the Island is pretty sheltered, but very cosy inside with the CH on 👍We've been there once before with the last motorhome and whilst we had a nice time (weather was great and we did lots of walking over the heathland), the site was a Little too commercial for us. And as a result we haven't been back.
However, in some ways that's the reason we're heading back now. Given the weather was unpredictable when we booked it - it's now looking dreadful and mindful of that, we thought that having a swimming pool, gym/Fitness centre, restaurant & bar and shop all on site meant that we would at least while away rainy days doing something rather than couped up in the van together.
Also, I hadn't appreciated just how difficult it would be to book something in November - it seems most campsites shut down after October half-term.
I was up for going to France, but given all the issues still at Calais, I wasn't willing to risk being caught up in something just for four days. And it seemed like a bit too Long a drive up to Ullswater from Essex, again, just for four days.
So, here's hoping Kelling Heath looks after us and the van doesn't get blown over in the wind! :/
I presume you're all sorted then KT?
I have to confess ours was brilliant at the weekend. Don't want to jinx it but the engine issues are all well behind us now and even managed a PB on the mpg of 24.8mpg on the last trip.
It was incredibly windy up in Norfolk over the weekend, not to mention cold - down to 2degs on Friday night which is where I think blown air heating lets the side down vs. central heating. It's lovely when it kicks in and gives you a burst of warmth, but when it kicks out again, it can begin to feel cooler quite quickly. I imagine with the constant warmth of the CH, it's a lot more cosy. All that said, I'm totally greatful for our Silver Screens thermal cover for the windscreen, which made the cab feel warm and saved us on condensation. Fitted perfectly too and very Little flapping (if any) even during the gales.
That said, we never felt truly cold and equally, in spite of having a 3yr old with us, never felt like we were on top of eachother too. Lots of games of dominoes, snap, colouring, cutting and sticking and iPad watching of films helped.
Also interesting to get to know more about the van too. In the four days we were hooked up, we used c. 3quid in LPG, filled the Thetford Cassette almost daily (we were living in the van and amenities were too far away to hike to all the time) and used 3/4 of the tank of fresh water and obviously filled 3/4 of the grey tank too. Feels like we're well up the learning curve now and also getting to know how to use it more cleverly too.
In short, loving it!
I have to confess ours was brilliant at the weekend. Don't want to jinx it but the engine issues are all well behind us now and even managed a PB on the mpg of 24.8mpg on the last trip.
It was incredibly windy up in Norfolk over the weekend, not to mention cold - down to 2degs on Friday night which is where I think blown air heating lets the side down vs. central heating. It's lovely when it kicks in and gives you a burst of warmth, but when it kicks out again, it can begin to feel cooler quite quickly. I imagine with the constant warmth of the CH, it's a lot more cosy. All that said, I'm totally greatful for our Silver Screens thermal cover for the windscreen, which made the cab feel warm and saved us on condensation. Fitted perfectly too and very Little flapping (if any) even during the gales.
That said, we never felt truly cold and equally, in spite of having a 3yr old with us, never felt like we were on top of eachother too. Lots of games of dominoes, snap, colouring, cutting and sticking and iPad watching of films helped.
Also interesting to get to know more about the van too. In the four days we were hooked up, we used c. 3quid in LPG, filled the Thetford Cassette almost daily (we were living in the van and amenities were too far away to hike to all the time) and used 3/4 of the tank of fresh water and obviously filled 3/4 of the grey tank too. Feels like we're well up the learning curve now and also getting to know how to use it more cleverly too.
In short, loving it!
Well done really pleased for you that the van is working out as intended when you bought it and that all the problems seem to be resolved, enjoy.
Blown CH when it cuts in is lovely but the vans certainly do lose the heat pretty quickly.
When you read about full timers using hardly any water and the services never need servicing I'm always really surprised,for the reasons as you have stated, if we are using the shower and toilet plus water for cooking/washing , we fill up and empty every 2 days without fail.
My van is still not sorted, still waiting for a certain part I was sent a part that didn't fit so sent it back and the measurements again as they had that all wrong, so have been waiting coming up another 3 weeks again now, I have had a few goes at them and they blame it on the manufacturer for non delivery and wrong sizing, will see what happens this next week.
Not an ideal situation and certainly not up to the standard that I have always had from German suppliers up until now.
Also both of the senders in the tanks for water have packed up so that's another thing that needs replacing, will have to wait until the new Year as we are off on holiday shortly.
We are off on holidayto New Zealand on the 28th of this month until the 10th January, and have hired a motorhome through Maui, so really looking forward to that now, then will sort another garage when we return to get the bits and pieces on the van done.
Blown CH when it cuts in is lovely but the vans certainly do lose the heat pretty quickly.
When you read about full timers using hardly any water and the services never need servicing I'm always really surprised,for the reasons as you have stated, if we are using the shower and toilet plus water for cooking/washing , we fill up and empty every 2 days without fail.
My van is still not sorted, still waiting for a certain part I was sent a part that didn't fit so sent it back and the measurements again as they had that all wrong, so have been waiting coming up another 3 weeks again now, I have had a few goes at them and they blame it on the manufacturer for non delivery and wrong sizing, will see what happens this next week.
Not an ideal situation and certainly not up to the standard that I have always had from German suppliers up until now.
Also both of the senders in the tanks for water have packed up so that's another thing that needs replacing, will have to wait until the new Year as we are off on holiday shortly.
We are off on holidayto New Zealand on the 28th of this month until the 10th January, and have hired a motorhome through Maui, so really looking forward to that now, then will sort another garage when we return to get the bits and pieces on the van done.
Sorry to hear of your continued woes, KT. I hope you get it sorted soon (and the senders). It's no concilation I know, but my Uncle had a raft of issues with his from the same place and has only just bedded down most of them - and most with the help of specialist Dealers in France and Scotland. He's vowed to use German Dealers for his Hab work in future and get the warranty claims sorted through Hymer directly. I had heard a rumour from a chap on Hertford campsite who had a Niesman & Bischoff that you can go directly to Hymer HQ and basically buy a Technicians time for a day or so and get them to go over the van with a fine toothcomb and resolve anything which needs resolving and you just pay their Flatrate labour for a day or so - give them a list of things to do and you pay parts costs on top. Probably makes more sense for me rather than you, given the age of yours but I'm going to look into it and see about combining it with a Holiday since I have a number of little niggles still which would be great to have a factory tech resolve (i.e. someone who knows what they're doing!).
But other than that, I am also really pleased I've persevered. Looked pretty bleak back there for while over the summer, but we're now seeing the light and reaping the benefits of the motorhome experience. Just back from Norfolk and will post my adventure on a separate thread.
All well and good and also just posted a Personal Best of 24.8mpg on the Norfolk run! Probably skewed by the prevailing single carriageway route and relatively low cruising Speed of 50mph for the most-part (being a 4.6t on national speed Limit roads) but good to see nearly 25mpg nonetheless!
But other than that, I am also really pleased I've persevered. Looked pretty bleak back there for while over the summer, but we're now seeing the light and reaping the benefits of the motorhome experience. Just back from Norfolk and will post my adventure on a separate thread.
All well and good and also just posted a Personal Best of 24.8mpg on the Norfolk run!
Probably skewed by the prevailing single carriageway route and relatively low cruising Speed of 50mph for the most-part (being a 4.6t on national speed Limit roads) but good to see nearly 25mpg nonetheless!Spuffington said:
Sorry to hear of your continued woes, KT. I hope you get it sorted soon (and the senders). It's no concilation I know, but my Uncle had a raft of issues with his from the same place and has only just bedded down most of them - and most with the help of specialist Dealers in France and Scotland. He's vowed to use German Dealers for his Hab work in future and get the warranty claims sorted through Hymer directly. I had heard a rumour from a chap on Hertford campsite who had a Niesman & Bischoff that you can go directly to Hymer HQ and basically buy a Technicians time for a day or so and get them to go over the van with a fine toothcomb and resolve anything which needs resolving and you just pay their Flatrate labour for a day or so - give them a list of things to do and you pay parts costs on top. Probably makes more sense for me rather than you, given the age of yours but I'm going to look into it and see about combining it with a Holiday since I have a number of little niggles still which would be great to have a factory tech resolve (i.e. someone who knows what they're doing!).
But other than that, I am also really pleased I've persevered. Looked pretty bleak back there for while over the summer, but we're now seeing the light and reaping the benefits of the motorhome experience. Just back from Norfolk and will post my adventure on a separate thread.
All well and good and also just posted a Personal Best of 24.8mpg on the Norfolk run! Probably skewed by the prevailing single carriageway route and relatively low cruising Speed of 50mph for the most-part (being a 4.6t on national speed Limit roads) but good to see nearly 25mpg nonetheless!
Fantastic it sounds as though yours is well and truly sorted.But other than that, I am also really pleased I've persevered. Looked pretty bleak back there for while over the summer, but we're now seeing the light and reaping the benefits of the motorhome experience. Just back from Norfolk and will post my adventure on a separate thread.
All well and good and also just posted a Personal Best of 24.8mpg on the Norfolk run!
Probably skewed by the prevailing single carriageway route and relatively low cruising Speed of 50mph for the most-part (being a 4.6t on national speed Limit roads) but good to see nearly 25mpg nonetheless!I too have always bought direct from Germany without any problems and always great germanic service, which I must say I had come to expect, but hey ho such is life and I will get it sorted.
I would be interested if you do contact Hymer about direct contact and expertise, we are always quite happy to take a trip to the factory as we like travelling in Germany as we have many friends there.
I look forward to hearing from you when you get any further information.
KT
And it was all going so well!!!
We'd been living in Harry off and on for a week or so whilst we had work done on our new house. That was until I went there last week, opened the door and was greeted to the fateful sound of water dripping!
It was coming from the main rooflight, had settled in the facia and I just couldn't get it out. In the end, had to take it to MG caravans who diagnosed it was not just the sealant which has gone but the casing had cracked and we've now had to order in a new rooflight. £550 inc fitting!
Heyho. Hoping 2016 will be more enjoyable and will have less repair bills.
This happened just at the point where Harry felt "like home". So bloody annoying!
We'd been living in Harry off and on for a week or so whilst we had work done on our new house. That was until I went there last week, opened the door and was greeted to the fateful sound of water dripping!
It was coming from the main rooflight, had settled in the facia and I just couldn't get it out. In the end, had to take it to MG caravans who diagnosed it was not just the sealant which has gone but the casing had cracked and we've now had to order in a new rooflight. £550 inc fitting!
Heyho. Hoping 2016 will be more enjoyable and will have less repair bills.
This happened just at the point where Harry felt "like home". So bloody annoying!
Spuffington said:
And it was all going so well!!!
We'd been living in Harry off and on for a week or so whilst we had work done on our new house. That was until I went there last week, opened the door and was greeted to the fateful sound of water dripping!
It was coming from the main rooflight, had settled in the facia and I just couldn't get it out. In the end, had to take it to MG caravans who diagnosed it was not just the sealant which has gone but the casing had cracked and we've now had to order in a new rooflight. £550 inc fitting!
Heyho. Hoping 2016 will be more enjoyable and will have less repair bills.
This happened just at the point where Harry felt "like home". So bloody annoying!
I feel for you mate. You haven't had much luck with it have you?We'd been living in Harry off and on for a week or so whilst we had work done on our new house. That was until I went there last week, opened the door and was greeted to the fateful sound of water dripping!
It was coming from the main rooflight, had settled in the facia and I just couldn't get it out. In the end, had to take it to MG caravans who diagnosed it was not just the sealant which has gone but the casing had cracked and we've now had to order in a new rooflight. £550 inc fitting!
Heyho. Hoping 2016 will be more enjoyable and will have less repair bills.
This happened just at the point where Harry felt "like home". So bloody annoying!
Anyway - hope it remains trouble free in future and you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year with much travelling and time away
Thanks BB - hope you had an enjoyable festive period.
We now have Harry back home and it's a great feeling. We're all settling into the new house well and not having Harry at the bottom of the garden with us just didn't seem right. He's proved his worth already and provided a bed for the night for my Uncle and Aunt last weekend when we had a house full but I've since winterized him since we're in the process of selling my late MiL's house and spending every weekend until the end of Feb doing what's necessary there.
But, in spite of not using him at the moment, the good news is that with having a hookup now at the house, I've been able to do what I'd always hoped and that's having an oil-filled rad placed in there, with the rooflight cracked everso slightly open and I've stripped the bed, moved the mattress, furniture, cushions etc to maximise airflow aswell as propped open wardrobe & bathroom doors so keep the van aired. I popped my head in there the other day and it feels nice and toasty aired rather than cold and uncomfortable as it used to be at the yard.
So, plan for this year:-
- I've just bought a new Hymer Pro 3 bike rack to fit on the back, to replace the one which was dodgy when I bought it. Need to get it on and hope it fits with the existing fittings;
- Exterior needs a deep clean, polish and wax. Easier to do now at home but it's all relative, given the size of it. I'm going to try and rope in the whole Family; but being especially wary of getting my 3yr old to do anything!! :lol:
- Main rooflight (which had leaked) has mould growing on the mosquito netting. I've pulled this across to dry it out, but now need to somehow gently clean this off the netting.
- GET USING IT! I've already booked Easter Weekend at Kelling Heath, since my Birthday falls just before Good Friday and we'll likely try and get out in it early March too. Then it'll be a couple of weekends a month. I have a Boys Mountainbiking Holiday to Wales booked for early June and most likely a 2-3wk July-Summer Holiday down in France as the mainstay of its usage.
Can't wait and hope this year yields less in the way of mechnical trouble / expenditure.
We now have Harry back home and it's a great feeling. We're all settling into the new house well and not having Harry at the bottom of the garden with us just didn't seem right. He's proved his worth already and provided a bed for the night for my Uncle and Aunt last weekend when we had a house full but I've since winterized him since we're in the process of selling my late MiL's house and spending every weekend until the end of Feb doing what's necessary there.
But, in spite of not using him at the moment, the good news is that with having a hookup now at the house, I've been able to do what I'd always hoped and that's having an oil-filled rad placed in there, with the rooflight cracked everso slightly open and I've stripped the bed, moved the mattress, furniture, cushions etc to maximise airflow aswell as propped open wardrobe & bathroom doors so keep the van aired. I popped my head in there the other day and it feels nice and toasty aired rather than cold and uncomfortable as it used to be at the yard.
So, plan for this year:-
- I've just bought a new Hymer Pro 3 bike rack to fit on the back, to replace the one which was dodgy when I bought it. Need to get it on and hope it fits with the existing fittings;
- Exterior needs a deep clean, polish and wax. Easier to do now at home but it's all relative, given the size of it. I'm going to try and rope in the whole Family; but being especially wary of getting my 3yr old to do anything!! :lol:
- Main rooflight (which had leaked) has mould growing on the mosquito netting. I've pulled this across to dry it out, but now need to somehow gently clean this off the netting.
- GET USING IT! I've already booked Easter Weekend at Kelling Heath, since my Birthday falls just before Good Friday and we'll likely try and get out in it early March too. Then it'll be a couple of weekends a month. I have a Boys Mountainbiking Holiday to Wales booked for early June and most likely a 2-3wk July-Summer Holiday down in France as the mainstay of its usage.
Can't wait and hope this year yields less in the way of mechnical trouble / expenditure.
So, had a little time to myself to pay Harry some attention this weekend. Took him out for a 20mile trip locally just to get the engine warm, oil moved around and the wheels turning. Started on the key first time, as usual and although a little noisey from the off he soon settled down into his smooth old self. A joy to drive again and my little'un loved the little run out we did together - her sat proudly in her car seat on the front passenger seat. That was Saturday.
Yesterday afternoon I decided that it was time to give him a wash; something I haven't done since I bought him (aside from a brief Jet Wash experience at the local Petrol station where we lived previously). I got all my gear out (and ladder) and first tackled the Roof. SCARY! My ladder was only 2.5m high, so I was balancing on the top step, whilst steadying myself on the van roof with one Hand whilst brushing with the other hand!!!
But much to my surprise, the roof cleaned up pretty easily with some PH neutral snowfoam left to dwell, followed by a brush with a soft extendable brush soaked in Chemical Guys Extra Gloss Protection shampoo. I did use some Megs APC on the drainage channels to dislodge some moss growth.
The rest of the van was washed with a mixture of brush for the high bits and Lambswool mitt for the rest of the bodywork. Euroliner wheeltrims came up great with some washing up liquid.
Only issue is that the van, although clean, looks a bit "flat". It desperately needs a polish, but don't want to have to go to the extent of polishing and then waxing. I had thought about Autosmart Topaz since I'd heard how good the finish is for not much work, but someone on Classic Hymer FB page has recommended AutoFinesse Tripple which is a surface cleaner, polish and wax in one. I have a bottle of this lurking in the garage so I'll give it a go when time permits.
Other than that, I've been costing up Service work - this year falls a few anniversaries for the Sprinter in the Service book so Harry will be getting new rear diff oil & coolant change on top of the Full Service (inc. fuel filter) and he'll need an aircon Service & recharge too since he's not blowing massively cold air. Thankfully my local Merc Indy has priced everything up for less than 500notes, so I'll be booking him in there, plus getting some new Michelin Agilis tyres fitted due to the Conti VanCos now being >8yrs old in spite of having a good 6mm of tread on them.
Next Weekend will be spent giving him a good deep clean with a steam cleaner inside, going through all the cupboards doing a bit of an audit on what's in there and needs to be and what can be removed, then a gradual recommissioning Phase, which will see me load him up and get him down to the Weighbridge so that I've got some certificates in the cab if I get pulled in the future. I'm totally confident about being within Limits (4.6t chassis) but should at least know what weight I am.
Am enjoying the process of giving him some TLC and getting out for Easter Weekend in him to kick off the year's touring.
Yesterday afternoon I decided that it was time to give him a wash; something I haven't done since I bought him (aside from a brief Jet Wash experience at the local Petrol station where we lived previously). I got all my gear out (and ladder) and first tackled the Roof. SCARY! My ladder was only 2.5m high, so I was balancing on the top step, whilst steadying myself on the van roof with one Hand whilst brushing with the other hand!!!
But much to my surprise, the roof cleaned up pretty easily with some PH neutral snowfoam left to dwell, followed by a brush with a soft extendable brush soaked in Chemical Guys Extra Gloss Protection shampoo. I did use some Megs APC on the drainage channels to dislodge some moss growth. The rest of the van was washed with a mixture of brush for the high bits and Lambswool mitt for the rest of the bodywork. Euroliner wheeltrims came up great with some washing up liquid.
Only issue is that the van, although clean, looks a bit "flat". It desperately needs a polish, but don't want to have to go to the extent of polishing and then waxing. I had thought about Autosmart Topaz since I'd heard how good the finish is for not much work, but someone on Classic Hymer FB page has recommended AutoFinesse Tripple which is a surface cleaner, polish and wax in one. I have a bottle of this lurking in the garage so I'll give it a go when time permits.
Other than that, I've been costing up Service work - this year falls a few anniversaries for the Sprinter in the Service book so Harry will be getting new rear diff oil & coolant change on top of the Full Service (inc. fuel filter) and he'll need an aircon Service & recharge too since he's not blowing massively cold air. Thankfully my local Merc Indy has priced everything up for less than 500notes, so I'll be booking him in there, plus getting some new Michelin Agilis tyres fitted due to the Conti VanCos now being >8yrs old in spite of having a good 6mm of tread on them.
Next Weekend will be spent giving him a good deep clean with a steam cleaner inside, going through all the cupboards doing a bit of an audit on what's in there and needs to be and what can be removed, then a gradual recommissioning Phase, which will see me load him up and get him down to the Weighbridge so that I've got some certificates in the cab if I get pulled in the future. I'm totally confident about being within Limits (4.6t chassis) but should at least know what weight I am.
Am enjoying the process of giving him some TLC and getting out for Easter Weekend in him to kick off the year's touring.
I'm glad it's finally working out.
My RMB is going through a similar recommissioning phase to your Hymer, having sat since August in a locked outside compound - albeit under a tailored cover - and now on my driveway in readiness for an upcoming trip.
Like you, I've also discovered the joys of an oil-filled radiator and have been enjoying the tinkering process of sorting the bedding, airing and general checks. Mine passed his MOT with no advisories last week, which isn't bad for a 24 year-old motorhome, but does attest to the quality of a Mercedes chassis. The MOT place I used was pretty damning of Fiat-based motorhome chassis by comparison, though I've no personal experience.
Mine is a metallic silver / gold colour, so I use ordinary car cleaning products on the paintwork - Autoglym or Meguiars polish finished off with a very hard-wearing American wax called Harly Wax. It's incredibly easy to apply and, with a few layers, seems to last really well.
My RMB is going through a similar recommissioning phase to your Hymer, having sat since August in a locked outside compound - albeit under a tailored cover - and now on my driveway in readiness for an upcoming trip.
Like you, I've also discovered the joys of an oil-filled radiator and have been enjoying the tinkering process of sorting the bedding, airing and general checks. Mine passed his MOT with no advisories last week, which isn't bad for a 24 year-old motorhome, but does attest to the quality of a Mercedes chassis. The MOT place I used was pretty damning of Fiat-based motorhome chassis by comparison, though I've no personal experience.
Mine is a metallic silver / gold colour, so I use ordinary car cleaning products on the paintwork - Autoglym or Meguiars polish finished off with a very hard-wearing American wax called Harly Wax. It's incredibly easy to apply and, with a few layers, seems to last really well.
Thanks Simes. Glad you're also enjoying yours and the process of getting it recomissioned.
The Mercedes chassis are brilliant and I'm so glad I held out for one. I had a bit of a discussion with NHW over the whole Fiat & Merc thing and whilst he's right that you need to pick the right layout and van, for me the chassis was as important and the smoothness and tractability of that 5-cylinder lumps just adds to the specialness of the van. Certainly now that the turbo / sensor issue is resolved, I have no issues with the engine side of things and I'm hoping the MOT will be equally as uneventful as yours come April.
The Mercedes chassis are brilliant and I'm so glad I held out for one. I had a bit of a discussion with NHW over the whole Fiat & Merc thing and whilst he's right that you need to pick the right layout and van, for me the chassis was as important and the smoothness and tractability of that 5-cylinder lumps just adds to the specialness of the van. Certainly now that the turbo / sensor issue is resolved, I have no issues with the engine side of things and I'm hoping the MOT will be equally as uneventful as yours come April.
Ggrrr - at the risk of giving Rosscow a laugh (although this one could equally happen to Caravans too! 
), we've now got a problem with the boiler.
Spent the Weekend giving Harry a thorough interior detail ready for the season ahead and more importantly, for the coming Easter Weekend, which is supposed to be up at Kelling Heath.
With the interior looking great, I set about filling the water tank and pressurizing the system given I'm in Germany until Weds evening and didn't fancy doing it all on Thursday night after work. Problem.......every time I opened the hot water taps, water ended up spewing out into the rear wheelarch. I double & triple checked the frost control valve, but that was ok. A lot of prodding around and Internet Surfing later, it turns out I have a faulty air breather valve, which is what lets IN air when the frost control valve seeks to dump the water. Mine seems to be stuck partially open since it's diverting water from filling the boiler and instead dumping half the water flow out of the air breather and half through the taps. Ggggrrr. What's even worse is that this must've been happening slightly for a while. Since I remember when I was having all the issues with Travelworld back in August, this happened and I pointed it out and the Technician told me "the water is coming from a roof drain because it had been valeted!" Given it doesn't have a roof drain, I can only deduce from this that either the Tech doesn't know what he's talking about, or that they just couldn't be bothered to sort it when it was pointed out. Either is plausible and another reason why I won't be going back to Travelworld, EVER!
Anyway, Mrs Spuff has declined to go away this weekend with no hot water or heating, in spite of me offering to take the oil filled rad! So, I'm desperately trying to get my local dealer to source the faulty part and even if they can't fit me in to fit it on Thursday (funnily enough they're rammed busy with people trying to make it away this weekend!), then sell me the part so I can take a stab at fixing it myself.
Bloody hell - if it's not one thing it's another. Was rather looking forward to getting him out and seeing how the new Michelin Agilis tyres are after having 7 new ones fitted last week. But at this rate, he'll not be going anywhere this Weekend.
), we've now got a problem with the boiler.Spent the Weekend giving Harry a thorough interior detail ready for the season ahead and more importantly, for the coming Easter Weekend, which is supposed to be up at Kelling Heath.
With the interior looking great, I set about filling the water tank and pressurizing the system given I'm in Germany until Weds evening and didn't fancy doing it all on Thursday night after work. Problem.......every time I opened the hot water taps, water ended up spewing out into the rear wheelarch. I double & triple checked the frost control valve, but that was ok. A lot of prodding around and Internet Surfing later, it turns out I have a faulty air breather valve, which is what lets IN air when the frost control valve seeks to dump the water. Mine seems to be stuck partially open since it's diverting water from filling the boiler and instead dumping half the water flow out of the air breather and half through the taps. Ggggrrr. What's even worse is that this must've been happening slightly for a while. Since I remember when I was having all the issues with Travelworld back in August, this happened and I pointed it out and the Technician told me "the water is coming from a roof drain because it had been valeted!" Given it doesn't have a roof drain, I can only deduce from this that either the Tech doesn't know what he's talking about, or that they just couldn't be bothered to sort it when it was pointed out. Either is plausible and another reason why I won't be going back to Travelworld, EVER!
Anyway, Mrs Spuff has declined to go away this weekend with no hot water or heating, in spite of me offering to take the oil filled rad! So, I'm desperately trying to get my local dealer to source the faulty part and even if they can't fit me in to fit it on Thursday (funnily enough they're rammed busy with people trying to make it away this weekend!), then sell me the part so I can take a stab at fixing it myself.
Bloody hell - if it's not one thing it's another. Was rather looking forward to getting him out and seeing how the new Michelin Agilis tyres are after having 7 new ones fitted last week. But at this rate, he'll not be going anywhere this Weekend.
Well, good and bad News - good news is the van is back on the road and gave amazing service over the long weekend.
Bad news - not so bad, but as expected, the part in question was 10quid. Which ended up costing an hour of labour to fit, so was markedly more. Gggrrr. If only I'd had the time to do it myself. Anyhoo, the van is back on the road and servicable.
Brilliant weekend away and first of many for this year.
Just ticked over 38k miles, which is 2503 in our ownership in 10months. Not bad considering a good few months of that he was off the road with the Turbo issue last year and this being our first trip of 2016.
Bad news - not so bad, but as expected, the part in question was 10quid. Which ended up costing an hour of labour to fit, so was markedly more. Gggrrr. If only I'd had the time to do it myself. Anyhoo, the van is back on the road and servicable.
Brilliant weekend away and first of many for this year.
Just ticked over 38k miles, which is 2503 in our ownership in 10months. Not bad considering a good few months of that he was off the road with the Turbo issue last year and this being our first trip of 2016.
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