Words of Encouragement please...

[Artfuldubber]

Now we all know that life with a van can be bumpy...but hells bells, it's draggin me down!...

Due to me car being off the road (currently replacing the head) I've been havin to daily drive the poor old van. Frankly I think she's gettin just a bit tired of it!!! two weeks ago the offside drive shaft outer bearing broke up and Andyvan sorted me out with a replacement. Nice one and I was back on the road. Then the Heater matrix has started leaking coolant...I've got one of these from a previous Andyvan encounter so now all I need is the time to fit it!!! Now this morning, I pop down the shops, jump back in the van and she screeches at me when starting (sounded like starter, replaced 6 months ago!) Then as I pull away I get a very uncharacteristic shuddering coming through from the rear end as I engage the clutch. This continues as I engage 2nd and crawl off the road into a layby.

Taking a breather, I walk up to me Grandfather's house and fix his dodgy light switch (at least sommit went right!) tell him the tale and return to me poor van. Jack her up and can't see anythin amiss...although replacement halfshaft does seem a little bit knocky on the outside again. Get back in her and decide to crawl home (bout 1.5 miles). Try to start her and she really slowly stuggled to turn over and started after a few seconds. Get home without further event. Try to start her again and sounds even slower and fails to start.

Walk in grab a cup of tea, and type this while trying to pick up the will to get me overalls on and go out and lay in the cold and run through some checks.

Comments please, either 'advice' or 'words of encouragement'....or 'stop your whinning and get out there n lavish some attention on your van!!!

Cheers, Art...still smilin, but not necessarily for the right reasons!

[Diamond Hell]

Don't be so tight and buy new CVs - they're hardly dear!!

[Blingpanzer]

Dude, it's a T3. They have more character than the average pub landlady. Roll with the punches, fix what broke and don't fix what didn't...

Face it, if it was 100% reliable and functional, you wouldn't love it nearly as much, would you?

Take the connections off the starter motor and clean them well; reassemble with a smear of petroleum jelly to keep them from corroding again. The do the same with all the earth straps, particularly the big long one at the gearbox mount. That may well sort-out the slow starter for you. Worth giving the battery a good overnight charge too, especially if you've been doing short runs for a while

Chin up and good luck

[Cruz]

Sounds like your wiper blades are knackered

Just think of the times when you'll be off on your hols in the van and it will all be worth it.

[Cate]

Oh dear, its a case of keep on going I'm afraid. If you are able to give it a break for a couple of weeks then do so, and come back to it fresh, if not..... and if your car is broken then you can't you just have to keep soldiering on, do you want me to tell you all about my crewie? no you don't really.....

Good luck, it all works out eventually, somehow.

[Artfuldubber]

Many Thanks Cate and Co.

I knew I could rely on you for a little pick-me-up...True words all round...and as for your crewie Cate, well I've read enough to know my troubles pale into insignificance!

Anyhow, all I know is if it were anythin other than a T3 I'd have binned it, but I just can't help makin' excuses for her and patchin her up. At the end of the day, if I'd been without her over the last few weeks I'd have been right up a creek without a paddle....I guess it's time for me to pay her pack with some TLC!

Cheers for Now, thanks again, Art