servicing and electrics Tamowrh

[TomDub85]

Hi so I need to get my van serviced and the electrics sorting out for leisure side of things hook my extra batt to zig unit fridge etc so its all good to go camping with , I'm in Tamworth Staffordshire does anyone know of people who could do this pref in next week or two ? Also what the average I should be paying for full service ? First quote was £200 thanks Tom

[debstee25]

Hi, we just got quotes of the same to get our van serviced, but in the end we did it ourselves. Plus hubby does electrics so he has wired in the whole van. If you decide to take DIY route, I'm sure he'd help, if not as I said we got three quotes which ranged from £200 - £250.

We are near Hinckly so not too far.

Debs

[TomDub85]

Thanks Deb we have found a place who can service it for 130 mates rates and taking it to get electrics looked at tomorrow hopefully all will be up and working as we want it in next week or 2 and we can start on making it all out own with interior ect First van so learning by the hour . thanks again

[California Dreamin]

Service charges vary dramatically because individual garages interpretation of what needs servicing varies so much.

A lube service can be as little as changing the oil and filter, checking the lights, pumping up the tyres and a very brief visual inspection..Job Done!
However
Every new acquisition needs a thorough inspection and report on top of a FULL service....and by a Full service I mean ALL the filters and ALL the lubes and fluids.
Brake fluid
Gearbox oil change
Coolant drain/flush and change
Engine oil & filter
Air Filter
Petrol Filter
Spark Plugs
Belts
Cam belt kit (Diesel)
Fuel Filter (Diesel)
Tappet shim check and adjust (Diesel)
Wiper Blades
Thorough brake examination (drums off & pads out)
A proper check on all suspension & steering components.
Etc Etc.......once this MAJOR service is done and any essential work is carried out after the THOROUGH initial check, you then turn to a normal servicing regime.

Martin

[AdrianC]

Every new acquisition needs a thorough inspection and report on top of a FULL service....and by a Full service I mean ALL the filters and ALL the lubes and fluids.

^ What he said. You never know just how little the previous owner avoided doing.

Sure, it can make the first month or two of ownership hideously expensive and demoralising. But nowhere near as much as missing something which then lets go, killing your engine...

[California Dreamin]

As Adrian says...much of this depends on the previous owners maintenance or lack of.
If you're lucky and the previous owner was fastidious with his maintenance, the repair list will be very small and expense minimal.
However, it's a case of reaching a 'base line' of knowing exactly where you are with your van, what's been done and what will need doing next. You can't get to that point before you carry out the INITIAL thorough inspection & service.

Some things I have had to do to mine to reach that point:
Regular servicing
Gear oil change
Brake fluid change
Disc's/pads/drums/wheel cylinders/shoes/SS splash shields
Top wishbone rubbers
Shock absorbers all round
Gearbox differential
Belts
Thermostat housing
Hoses
Metal coolant pipes
Coolant change
Tyres
Petrol Tank
Full SS exhaust system
3 Part clutch
Batteries
Fridge over hall
Charger repair
Kitchen block electrics repair
Relays to headlamps
Tailgate struts
Power Steering pipes
Flexi brake pipes
Cunfer metal brake pipes
Poptop canvas
LPG gauge repair
Thermo rad switch
Blower switch repair
Dash cluster repair
Speedo cable repair
Engine mountings
Earth lead replacement
Camping lights repair/fix
Kitchen tap repair
Water pump repair
And that's without listing all the body and trim improvements and repair.

Now it's just a service when needed and the odd one or two bits....the hard work and money (hopefully because you never know) has been spent.

Martin

[keith]

wow Martin...that's quite a list but well worth it with a lovely example like yours

[AdrianC]

Some things I have had to do to mine to reach that point:
Regular servicing

OK, but...

Gear oil change
Brake fluid change
Discs/pads/shoes...
Belts
Coolant change
Tyres
Batteries

...then...

Now it's just a service when needed...

Don't take this the wrong way, Martin, because I know you know this - but it's worth us all remembering that lot IS "routine maintenance" and "a service", at various intervals.

[California Dreamin]

Agreed Adrian...my point was merely to point out that it may take some effort and initial expenditure to get it to the point where most of the work is just servicing and the more costly wear/corrosion maintenance is just a loving smear of grease to show you care lol. if only lol.
It would be interesting to find out (A QUESTION TO EVERYBODY) be honest, what is your average annual camper mileage...mine is about 6K

Only reason I'm asking is...on mileage the component parts on our vans should last a long time ie: brake discs (50 - 60K normally) would last 8 to 10 years for me.
I know owners like Ian Hulley do proper miles in theirs but for the majority of us it's much lower than the annual average of 12 - 14K.

Martin