oldish hippy
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dont you mrsn KAPUT IN KRAUT:yeahthat:
kaput in Deutschland
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The laird
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Mossy penny sorry to hear about all your troubles but as others have said its a credit to you the way you have conducted your self.the last thing I'd worry about is what you looked like with bags of stuff etc.were all the same( well most of us are)'sounds like timing belt failure as they can turn the crank back the way.if it did get a belt I'd like to think they put new idlers and tensioner on,if not WHY,this is common good engineering practice,but hopefully it's not,I wish you all the best of luck mate
Pauljenny
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All part of the adventure
As a survivor of a number of these problems, over the last 16 years, we must accept that, " If you use them, you bruise them ",is a fact of motorhoming life. We call them"Dragons "
You must use your brain to either overcome them or get round them. Keeps the dementia at bay, ( we hope! )
You will brag about these adventures, one day.
There are millions of people, sitting in front of the telly, wishing they could have an adventure...Any adventure.
You'll get some great advice from The Wildcampers.
Get that dragon slayed and boast about how you did it!
As a survivor of a number of these problems, over the last 16 years, we must accept that, " If you use them, you bruise them ",is a fact of motorhoming life. We call them"Dragons "
You must use your brain to either overcome them or get round them. Keeps the dementia at bay, ( we hope! )
You will brag about these adventures, one day.
There are millions of people, sitting in front of the telly, wishing they could have an adventure...Any adventure.
You'll get some great advice from The Wildcampers.
Get that dragon slayed and boast about how you did it!
mossypossy
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the Saga continues
Motorhome was ferried off the highway to a German garage last Thursday, where it has sat in the sunshine, cooking the contents of the Thetford which we were obviously unable to dispose of.
This morning it was picked up by European RAC to begin the trek, no doubt convoluted, back home.
Plan was to use the hire car to return to the motorhome and deal with fridge/wastewater/poopy issues but the unavailability of a German hire car meant we were taxi'd to France for the hire car, and time restraints meant backtracking would have made us miss the last foot passenger ferry home.
The lovely man at the German garage did however empty the last bits from the fridge and open the grey water tap for us before it was taken away.
Good old google translate!
God knows what it would have smelt like inside after another couple of weeks.
I reckon another two weeks minimum before we see it again:mad1:
Motorhome was ferried off the highway to a German garage last Thursday, where it has sat in the sunshine, cooking the contents of the Thetford which we were obviously unable to dispose of.
This morning it was picked up by European RAC to begin the trek, no doubt convoluted, back home.
Plan was to use the hire car to return to the motorhome and deal with fridge/wastewater/poopy issues but the unavailability of a German hire car meant we were taxi'd to France for the hire car, and time restraints meant backtracking would have made us miss the last foot passenger ferry home.
The lovely man at the German garage did however empty the last bits from the fridge and open the grey water tap for us before it was taken away.
Good old google translate!
God knows what it would have smelt like inside after another couple of weeks.
I reckon another two weeks minimum before we see it again:mad1:
mossypossy
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One week to the day since the engine died.
Today an initial inspection in France suggests the timing belt is intact. Possibly a piston failure. They need to rummage more, but not until next Tuesday as it is a long bank holiday in France.
Ho hum
Today an initial inspection in France suggests the timing belt is intact. Possibly a piston failure. They need to rummage more, but not until next Tuesday as it is a long bank holiday in France.
Ho hum
Johnnygm7lsi
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Hope you get it sorted soon, and a piston may not be as bad as timing belt damage,
mossypossy
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My insurance policy states that if the vehicle cannot be repaired before the end of my holiday it will be shipped home.
RAC will pay for a garage diagnosis, which they seem to want to do.
Would be cheaper for them to fly me back out to collect myself if they could persuade me to pay the French garage to fix it. An eight metre long 4.5 tonne motorhome seems to cause hassle for the transport guys.
I might be up for that as it means I get the chance to finish the epic wine run. Will do the sums, but a short notice channel crossing may be too expensive and wipe out my duty free gains.
RAC will pay for a garage diagnosis, which they seem to want to do.
Would be cheaper for them to fly me back out to collect myself if they could persuade me to pay the French garage to fix it. An eight metre long 4.5 tonne motorhome seems to cause hassle for the transport guys.
I might be up for that as it means I get the chance to finish the epic wine run. Will do the sums, but a short notice channel crossing may be too expensive and wipe out my duty free gains.
Teutone
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i speak german. If you want me to ring the german garage and ask/explain or whatever please get in touch.
listerdiesel
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We bought a new Movano van in 1999, one of the first Vauxhall sold. We went to Spain in it later and we had the cambelt fail while driving locally in Quartiera.
Our local dealer was contacted in the UK and they arranged breakdown collection and a hire car while it was sorted.
We had it back for a week and on the way up towards Santander the engine let go in a big way, just about destroying it totally.
Just before the failure:
Waiting for the ferry at Santander:
When the belt had come off previously, the garage (being new to the vehicle, it wasn't on sale there) hadn't checked compressions on the cylinders, and one had a bent valve. It was this valve that lost its head on the motorway near Burgos as we made our way northwards.
Vauxhall arranged for the van to be recovered, taken to a nearby dealer who also arranged for a hotel for the night. We decided to go shopping that afternoon as we wouldn't have transport, so we took a taxi into Burgos and got our bits and pieces. The van was drained of fluids and made ready for the ferry.
Next day we went to Santander in the recovery vehicle, van on the back and trailer behind.
A hire car was waiting at Plymouth and the van and trailer collected by the AA. Later the trailer was delivered to our home, van went to dealer in Luton.
A complete new engine was needed, the valve head had got embedded in the cylinder head and chopped through the piston, ultimately punching out through the fron of the cylinder block.
All done right at the end of the 12month warranty with no quibbles. It went on to cover over 250k miles for us.
Peter
Our local dealer was contacted in the UK and they arranged breakdown collection and a hire car while it was sorted.
We had it back for a week and on the way up towards Santander the engine let go in a big way, just about destroying it totally.
Just before the failure:
Waiting for the ferry at Santander:
When the belt had come off previously, the garage (being new to the vehicle, it wasn't on sale there) hadn't checked compressions on the cylinders, and one had a bent valve. It was this valve that lost its head on the motorway near Burgos as we made our way northwards.
Vauxhall arranged for the van to be recovered, taken to a nearby dealer who also arranged for a hotel for the night. We decided to go shopping that afternoon as we wouldn't have transport, so we took a taxi into Burgos and got our bits and pieces. The van was drained of fluids and made ready for the ferry.
Next day we went to Santander in the recovery vehicle, van on the back and trailer behind.
A hire car was waiting at Plymouth and the van and trailer collected by the AA. Later the trailer was delivered to our home, van went to dealer in Luton.
A complete new engine was needed, the valve head had got embedded in the cylinder head and chopped through the piston, ultimately punching out through the fron of the cylinder block.
All done right at the end of the 12month warranty with no quibbles. It went on to cover over 250k miles for us.
Peter
TJBi
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That's weird, because the public holiday is on Saturday and the French normally take the holiday on the day that it falls. Alsace and Lorraine may be different, but I can't find anything to indicate that that is the case and my contact over there certainly hasn't mentioned it.
Hope you get it fixed soon.
Tom
mossypossy
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Awfully kind but it has been moved to France now
GRWXJR
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Sorry to hear about your probs - you seem to be rolling with it well and keeping your equilibrium though, which is good!
Travel-wise, I rode a motorbike through the Vosges region back in 2011 (I think) - stayed overnight in a nice small town in a nice private hotel overlooking a lake (wish I could remember exactly where). Really nice area if you like lumpy forested bits - would like to go back there and spend a bit more time wandering about.
mossypossy
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topefisher
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When we broke down in Germany on our way back from Rome two years ago on the Harley ( stripped drive belt ) we elected for recovery to a main Harley dealer for repairs in Koblenz.
They charge €46/hour where our nearest UK Harler dealers are £70/75 per hour. Big saving at the time as quite a few man hours to change.
mossypossy
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my French is non existent
Would I get a fixed price quote for a repair job from a French garage, after an RAC paid for diagnosis....... is it a Devis?
Would I get a fixed price quote for a repair job from a French garage, after an RAC paid for diagnosis....... is it a Devis?
Stanski
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German Efficiency
Your relaxed reporting of the incident suggests you can accept the situation well which is good to read. Good luck with the repair and possible second journey to collect it. With euro exchange rate I would opt for repair in Europe, also go to collect it, spend a day or 2 around the area to verify and enjoy the chance of cheap fuel and duty free bargains.
OUR WOE
We returned to UK yesterday after 3 weeks tour around Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia, but initially broke down in Germany 3 weeks ago (Second day of hols) with an immobiliser problem, thankfully not a mechanical like yours. Awkward bit was the immobiliser was old and also a secondary system that interlinked with the vehicles primary system so knowledge of Fiat wiring was needed.
Had a tough start to the drama with being unable to activate the immobiliser and start the engine after parking (badly across 2 bays as a short quick purchase was planned) at 9pm at Amsberg railway. Next morning being a little sleep deprived due to weather and train station traffic, had to liaise with parking attendant who thankfully was very considerate and helpful, also after considering all options and trying to find fault myself communicated with two taxi drivers who thankfully spoke American to find a suitable garage who could help. Sods law - no Fiat garage in Amsberg.
Eventually had to be recovered to a Fiat garage 40km away in a village near Neumarkt. All very efficient and effectively managed by the VW garage we first sought help from. Luckily they were owned by a large group "Fischer" who have their own vehicle recovery and support company supporting ADAC in Germany.
Had an experience parked overnight at the Fiat garage, and seeking an evening meal in the village pub. In the morning the service manager took full control of the situation as he did not want us to be stuck at the garage all weekend. A quick review of the systems and with some of my assistance quickly found a potential solution to the problem (Bypass the secondary system). 1 hour later the nominated electrician had completed some rewiring and we were all systems go. I replaced all the dashboard and various dash covers and all was good.
For us we lost 1 and 1/2 days but so thankful it was repairable with not too much woe. Overall an adventure and a new experience which again adds to lifes rich tapestry.
Again good luck with your scenario.
Your relaxed reporting of the incident suggests you can accept the situation well which is good to read. Good luck with the repair and possible second journey to collect it. With euro exchange rate I would opt for repair in Europe, also go to collect it, spend a day or 2 around the area to verify and enjoy the chance of cheap fuel and duty free bargains.
OUR WOE
We returned to UK yesterday after 3 weeks tour around Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia, but initially broke down in Germany 3 weeks ago (Second day of hols) with an immobiliser problem, thankfully not a mechanical like yours. Awkward bit was the immobiliser was old and also a secondary system that interlinked with the vehicles primary system so knowledge of Fiat wiring was needed.
Had a tough start to the drama with being unable to activate the immobiliser and start the engine after parking (badly across 2 bays as a short quick purchase was planned) at 9pm at Amsberg railway. Next morning being a little sleep deprived due to weather and train station traffic, had to liaise with parking attendant who thankfully was very considerate and helpful, also after considering all options and trying to find fault myself communicated with two taxi drivers who thankfully spoke American to find a suitable garage who could help. Sods law - no Fiat garage in Amsberg.
Eventually had to be recovered to a Fiat garage 40km away in a village near Neumarkt. All very efficient and effectively managed by the VW garage we first sought help from. Luckily they were owned by a large group "Fischer" who have their own vehicle recovery and support company supporting ADAC in Germany.
Had an experience parked overnight at the Fiat garage, and seeking an evening meal in the village pub. In the morning the service manager took full control of the situation as he did not want us to be stuck at the garage all weekend. A quick review of the systems and with some of my assistance quickly found a potential solution to the problem (Bypass the secondary system). 1 hour later the nominated electrician had completed some rewiring and we were all systems go. I replaced all the dashboard and various dash covers and all was good.
For us we lost 1 and 1/2 days but so thankful it was repairable with not too much woe. Overall an adventure and a new experience which again adds to lifes rich tapestry.
Again good luck with your scenario.
mossypossy
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The longer the time gap from the episode, the calmer I get.
Resigned to having a new engine, so anything less will be a bargain now
Resigned to having a new engine, so anything less will be a bargain now