Autosleeper thread

[Bowton Lad]

On the other hand I'd be making work for myself and lets face it, how often do you get a puncture?

Today? Tomorrow? It'll be sometime very soon. You shouldn't tempt fate, Bren.

[kevtherev]

Well yes. There is already a small gap at the bottom of my wardrobe but it doesn't have a 'false floor' above it so if I need to get at the jack at the bottom I have to empty out the camping chairs, fan heater, tools etc before I can get to it, so a false floor above leaving it free to slide out the gap might be spot on.

Indeed, and I store other tools in there too common spanners and ratchet set, drivers, just stuff that I might use.

On the other hand I'd be making work for myself and lets face it, how often do you get a puncture?

Kiss of death?

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
I gave up carrying the standard jack sometime ago in my everlasting quest to pack things away but still have them reasonably accessable.
As I only really want a jack so as I can to change a wheel I decided a bottle jack would do. Not the most stable of items but it works fine. It is in a cardboard box about 6'' cubed and fits in the cupboard besides the Porta Potti.
I carry a couple of pieces of hardwood, one to go under the jack and the other sits on top of it and that has a groove that fits under the jacking point on the van. Have used several times with no problems and just add the axle stands when working underneath at home.
The jack is a 2.5ton ( I think) from Machine Mart.
Don

[firetrader]

Hi Kv-just bought an 85 petrol autosleeper(trident) recon engine around 15k ago and all seems good- only used her once (yesterday) only problem I have is a water tank/pump problem. When I turn on the tap and the pump the pump seems to hum ( very slightly) but no water from the tap- its a bit too wet today (Sunday) to start crawling around underneath- I wondered if it was a blockage, previous owner says it a new pump and normally works ok- but the tank had been drained for winter. Any ideas welcome!Other than that it seems good!

[kevtherev]

the pump is inside the cupboard next to the bed
turn the tap fully on then give a pump a tap with a light hammer it may be seized if it's been standing.
plus the wiring contacts might need cleaning up
unless the new pump is not self priming and it needs priming first

[firetrader]

Thanks Kev- will try that - found the pump-its very quiet..(looks new and says on it quiet running) I don't think its a bad connection as it is whirring very slighly...but will tap it. Previous owner says its relitavely new.. wonder if theres a microswitch on the tap valve as it just does,nt sound or look like it will provide water?So I will tap it and perhaps have a go at pouring water down fromthe tap to the motor in case it needs priming as you suggest... thanks for the advice.Everything else(touch wood seems good-we are going to scout the vw events to gauge how best to improve it... will recover seats and perhaps buy an awning..but after doing some research as its very clean so no rush. Hope we get a good summer!

[kevtherev]

the original pump was controlled with a pressure sensitive switch.
Not on and off, but slowed the pump down and speeded it up, according to the tap position

I wouldn't be tapping the new pump if it 's running ok.. I missed the new bit
I would be trying to prime it first,
easy enough to remove too

[elsid]

I have a 1985 Auto-sleeper Hi top and have to prime my pump after it has been drained down for the winter. I use a piece of plastic tube and a funnel to pour water down the tap.
Sid

[firetrader]

Thanks Sid - will try your idea tomorrow- seems logical - fingers crossed- Thanks

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
The original pump was self priming, or so A/S manual says. That does apply to 1988ish models onwards so earlier models may not be so.
Don

[kevtherev]

My '86 is an original Fiamma self priming pump.

[kentishvanman]

Morning Kev,
My original one packed up about 5 yrs ago so I replaced it with a ShureFlo one.
I don't remember it being a Fiamma one though; not that it's that important.
My van was converted between August and Dec 1987
Don

[kevtherev]

Morning Don
Could you post up where you got the pump from, and is it still available?

kev

[kentishvanman]

Hi,
Kev- info as requested.
Pumps. Got my dates wrong.
Purchased the pump 7/6/2002. The day we had loaded up to go to Scotland.
Bought it from a local independent camping shop who were taken over by a multi outfit 2/3 years ago who then went bust. Have got most of my receipts but can't find that one. Seem to remember it was about £40 and it is a diaphragm type pump.
Shurflo now are part of a group with HQ in Belgium www.shurflo-original.com who's web site indicates that you tel. for any info on products.
However http://www.williamsonpumps.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; sell Shurflo pumps at prices from £999 down to £76. C.A.K. Tanks do them as well.
Hope that helps.
Don

[kevtherev]

It might help some one Don ....thanks