What did you do to your van today?

[HurricaneSmith]

Our C260 Thetford Cassette Toilet went on the blink today, showing half full when it was empty. I realised there had to be a more satisfactory way than sticking my hand in blindly.

Good old You-Tube came to the rescue. You use the top slider as a lever and rotate the circular top clockwise to the "O" position.

Easy full access, and made sure the boss was out. Nipped into the utility room and cleaned everything up until it was spotless. Remembered to hide the evidence.

Everything back together just in the nick of time.

Now aIl I need is a car wash to sort out my own personal hygiene.

 

[runnach]

Early July and having to Put on the tyre UV protectors, in Scotland

 

[The laird]

Not done anything other than empty van since we came back from France,,fitted additional fans for fridge cooling ,just to wire control panel,Filled with DIESEL in anticipation possibly to get away to a gathering? Not even cleaned the van yet but do this week
Garage to sort next new tyres still smelling strong of rubber ! Big difference with Michelin cross climate tyres

 

[saxonborg]

Not done anything other than empty van since we came back from France,,fitted additional fans for fridge cooling ,just to wire control panel,Filled with DIESEL in anticipation possibly to get away to a gathering? Not even cleaned the van yet but do this week
Garage to sort next new tyres still smelling strong of rubber ! Big difference with Michelin cross climate tyres

What difference have you noticed with your cross climate tyres Gordon?

 

[The laird]

Hi Eric I thought that from what I was told they would be noisy ie road noise but pleased they don't ,found cornering great when in france and van was loaded MAX by swmbotook it a run yesterday and just find its better alround driving,in all fairness I've also renewed all the front suspension completely but very pleased indeed with the tyres
Be interesting on grass or soft as I've not tried 5hat yet

 

[trevskoda]

Clossed my roof vent hatches as its going to rain through the night and tmo.

 

[Lee]

I finished changing 3 off my roof vents.
It's taken 3 days working around the 30 deg heat.
The old ones were showing their age, not staying open, flyscreens not sealing and the perspex crazing.
So after looking at the price of spares it was cheaper to replace them.

 

[trevskoda]

Nothing doing to van today as its been raining most of the night, inside was cleaned yesterday and all bits of carpet vacked.

 

[wildebus]

Hi Eric I thought that from what I was told they would be noisy ie road noise but pleased they don't ,found cornering great when in france and van was loaded MAX by swmbotook it a run yesterday and just find its better alround driving,in all fairness I've also renewed all the front suspension completely but very pleased indeed with the tyres
Be interesting on grass or soft as I've not tried 5hat yet

Hi Gordon,
I first tried the Cross-Climates on my Citroen DS5 around 10 years ago. I found they performed better than the OEM Tyres in the summertime and better than the dedicated Continental Winter Tyres in the winter. I have not used any other tyres since on any of my vehicles.

 

[mid4did]

I started her up.backed up a bit on the drive and shuffled her over a bit to leave a gap for when little brother pops in tomorrow. He's promised to bring a couple pasties up from Plymouth. Proper job

 

[saxonborg]

)

Hi Eric I thought that from what I was told they would be noisy ie road noise but pleased they don't ,found cornering great when in france and van was loaded MAX by swmbotook it a run yesterday and just find its better alround driving,in all fairness I've also renewed all the front suspension completely but very pleased indeed with the tyres
Be interesting on grass or soft as I've not tried 5hat yet

Thanks Gordon, when you mentioned a strong rubber smell I thought you had a problem with your tyres. However reassuring to know the good performance of the Cross Climates.

 

[mid4did]

We've always had a problem with the van's aircon. Decided I'd had enough this week so bought a Regas kit off ebay. Result we now have aircon. Why didn't I do that 10 years ago Must be the hot weather we're having.
I got the R134a kit for cars up to 2016. Used both cans to get up to pressure.
From ebay

Car Aircon R134a Compatible Refrigerant x1 Leak Sealer x1 Professional Type Hose & Gauge Kit​

357288612513

 

[GeoffL]

We've always had a problem with the van's aircon. Decided I'd had enough this week so bought a Regas kit off ebay. Result we now have aircon. Why didn't I do that 10 years ago Must be the hot weather we're having.
I got the R134a kit for cars up to 2016. Used both cans to get up to pressure.
From ebay

Car Aircon R134a Compatible Refrigerant x1 Leak Sealer x1 Professional Type Hose & Gauge Kit​

357288612513

Thanks for the post. My van doesn't have aircon, but my car does -- and it couldn't be recharged a couple of years ago because of a leak. I've ordered this kit in the hope that it will do the trick and no longer will we swelter...

 

[mid4did]

Thanks for the post. My van doesn't have aircon, but my car does -- and it couldn't be recharged a couple of years ago because of a leak. I've ordered this kit in the hope that it will do the trick and no longer will we swelter...

First time i'd taken a chance and used this kit.I checked pressure first,it was zero but I could hear the clutch on the aircon compressor kick in when I switched to A/C.I used all the first cannister with the sealant and got a slight rise in pressure.The 2nd one pushed it up to the green area and we got cold air .Fingers crossed now it stays that way.

 

[AlyJay]

Not today but through this week -
Fastened down hot and cold water pipes and refitted all covers ( were loose to check/keep eye on for leaks as it was in bits beginning of year)
Refitted shower controls cover (as above)
Fitted new socket in wardrobe for vacuum recharge.
Fitted 2 x window alarms (WC & Hab door)
Replaced 240v socket nr hab door as it was intermittent faulty.
Replaced all lock barrels for all hatches and hab door (8)
Stripped hab door and tightened up everything inside as it rattled and felt flimsey when opening and shutting.
(Every screw/nut/bolt was loose for hinges/brackets & lock mechanism) refitted everything with a dab of locktight.

Now ready for next weeks West coast adventure.

 

[2cv]

My daughter is off for a trip in the van next month so today we began to prepare. Started first turn after 6 months idle and ran perfectly as she drove us to inflate the tyres and fill the diesel. Everything appears to be working fine after the prolonged lack of use. It was lovely to be travelling in it again even if briefly.

 

[Geek]

We've always had a problem with the van's aircon. Decided I'd had enough this week so bought a Regas kit off ebay. Result we now have aircon. Why didn't I do that 10 years ago Must be the hot weather we're having.
I got the R134a kit for cars up to 2016. Used both cans to get up to pressure.
From ebay

Car Aircon R134a Compatible Refrigerant x1 Leak Sealer x1 Professional Type Hose & Gauge Kit​

357288612513

Those kits are the bane of aircon garages life. The sealer stuff messes up their machines if it gets recovered into them.

They have to account for every gramme of R134a they use, and are required to do a leak test/pressure test - and fix any leaks before regarding.

But you and I can buy the stuff and put it in ad hoc.

The main problem is that without high and low side readings or being able to recover and weigh, there is no way to know the proper charge to put in.

Yes, if it was empty, you can look up the right amount, but if it was empty, why was it empty?

If it's leaking, you shouldn't top it up.

At £65 it's maybe marginally cheaper than having it done properly, but they'd also charge you to fix leaks first.

 

[mid4did]

Ordered an extra can and used it on the car. Skoda roomster 07 Reg. Again aircon has never worked in the 3 years I've had it. Up to pressure now and nice cool air coming out.

 

[GeoffL]

At £65 it's maybe marginally cheaper than having it done properly, but they'd also charge you to fix leaks first.

That's assuming you can find a garage that'll do the required testing and quote for the fix at a reasonable price. My local garage did the recovery bit but the system wouldn't hold vacuum and so they simply said they couldn't go any further. No attempt at finding the leak; nothing. Just a bill for £75. I bought this kit on the basis that it would be a win if it worked and I'd lose nothing but the cost of the kit if it didn't, and so would be no worse off than before.

 

[GeoffL]

So you knowingly put refrigerant into a leaking system. That's both despicable and stupid as well as illegal.

That's defamatory! Before posting, it might have been a good idea to check out the publicly available manufacturer's instructions. The kit includes a sealant intended to turn a leaking system into a gas-tight one and they are clear that you should not continue if the system still leaks after adding the sealant. That manufacturer also states that their product is ozone-friendly and not illegal to vent to atmosphere. They do, however, state that you should not vent the system if it contains actual R134a or R1234yf as that would be illegal. Thus it appears their product is not actually R134a/R1234yf but an ozone-friendly compatible alternative. I've included a link to their instructions for your education and enlightenment ...