New Van Day (new to me that is)

[Smallfry]

Great info, thanks very much for that .

Ns sill just behind the front wheel does have some paint bubbling will need attention if/when it ever stops raining long enough (dismal here the last couple of months).

I noted the front jack points (the ns one had some muck in it), & I've noted to make sure they are cleaned out and some waxoyl or some sort of protective barrier applied - again need a bit of dry weather.

I noted also rearmost spring hangers are separate to chassis & have some surface rust. Thinking again a clean & treat / protect soon might fend off the tin weevil.

Yes this is an 08 dci100 with a 6-speed box. Good news if there's no DMF - I didn't know these were still solid flywheel! Guessing it must have the EGR at this age though (I need to learn more about this van).

Electrical. Hmm. No issues on test drive, but y-day I noted there are bad connection on the stalks - a bit of wiggling or the instrument back-light doesn't come on with the lights, & other stalk the intermittent wipe can be err... interrupted. Probably inside the stalks, dammit (but still working overall).

Sounds like changing gear oil & cambelt (more money!) are must-do's & highest priority.

Yes ! I forgot about the stalks. This is also common. With the wipers, when you push the stalk down for intermittent, I (and most other owners) have to push the stalk forwards slightly. Either that, or turn on first wiper speed, then back to intermittent. Original switch was made by Valeo which should be good, but isn't. There are two types of wiper switch, one with trip computer (push button on end), and one without. The NON trip one is a lot less money. I bought a Maxgear replacement for mine and it has been fine.

As for lights, if your dash lights go off, then the sidelights probably do also, again common, but twiddle it a bit. Headlights themselves are OK.

This is all just character

I managed to get a pair of new spring hanger brackets relatively cheap, after I had cleaned my old ones up by electrolysis. DO NOT buy used ones off ebay, because they are asking way more than brand new ones !

The sills (and underbody) have a polymer rubberised coating. If this is peeling/bubbling water can get under it. Dont leave the jacking points. At least hose them out and get some of you favourite WD40 type stuff in there, before its too late. I have redone my sills and done away with them because of the rot. Mine were fooked when a garage lifted the van with a mini digger inside.

 

[GRW]

Yes ! I forgot about the stalks. This is also common. With the wipers, when you push the stalk down for intermittent, I (and most other owners) have to push the stalk forwards slightly. Either that, or turn on first wiper speed, then back to intermittent. Original switch was made by Valeo which should be good, but isn't. There are two types of wiper switch, one with trip computer (push button on end), and one without. The NON trip one is a lot less money. I bought a Maxgear replacement for mine and it has been fine.

As for lights, if your dash lights go off, then the sidelights probably do also, again common, but twiddle it a bit. Headlights themselves are OK.

This is all just character

I managed to get a pair of new spring hanger brackets relatively cheap, after I had cleaned my old ones up by electrolysis. DO NOT buy used ones off ebay, because they are asking way more than brand new ones !

The sills (and underbody) have a polymer rubberised coating. If this is peeling/bubbling water can get under it. Dont leave the jacking points. At least hose them out and get some of you favourite WD40 type stuff in there, before its too late. I have redone my sills and done away with them because of the rot. Mine were fooked when a garage lifted the van with a mini digger inside.

More great info- thanks!
Mine has the trip computer button wiper stalk.
If you lose sidelights with the dash back-light (& mine seems to lose the dash light on main headlights)...... does this mean you also lose tailights?

I'm gonna have to check!

 

[Smallfry]

More great info- thanks!
Mine has the trip computer button wiper stalk.
If you lose sidelights with the dash back-light (& mine seems to lose the dash light on main headlights)...... does this mean you also lose tailights?

I'm gonna have to check!

YES ! I drove all the way from Cumbria to Watford gap services with no tail lights either, as I just though the dash lights had gone out ! It was only when we stopped for a comfort break when I spotted this.
Another thing is that the number plate lamps are prone to playing up. I replaced mine with LED units from ebay, much brighter and problem cured !

 

[GRW]

I've ordered a cheapie aftermarket ebay LHS lights/indicators stalk. Only about £ 15 so worth a punt.
Also a Hazard switch for a fiver (mine works but button damaged), & a key case (mine has the unlock button holed, also v common I believe) less than a fiver.

OBD reader/scanner reset tool. I'm thinking I ought to get one? Will a basic EML light reset do, or is it worth a good one thatll help with ABS, injectors coding, steering, airbags etc etc?

Anyone know of a useful OBD2 for this van (that ideally would cover the Missus' 2011 Kia Rio as well) please?

Also I see that Haynes do an electronic manual for £26 which is supposed to do all the old hardback manuals did, plus fault code explanations, wiring diagrams & test values/procedures.... which sounds very handy & could save hours of faffing in the event of an issue. Anyone got any experience of this product?

TIA,

G.

 

[Smallfry]

I dont know about the Kia, but for the Renault, use Vauxhall/Opel OpCom loaded on to a laptop, as its the same as a Vauxhall Movano. Works a treat and is cheap, does everything inc live data etc, except key coding, you will need the proper Renault "Clip" for that, but you will need to be a Lottery winner for that !
I have a Renault Factory manual in PDF I could send you, but its hard to read as its huge, and there is no index. Tells you absolutely everything you need to know, but I think It has been copied from a paper manual, and the other side of the page does not tally. I didn't think Haynes did a manual for these, but that might be a better bet. Haynes manuals are not what they once were though, and will omit a lot of info, or refer you to a dealer.

 

[qwakers]

Get a auto com clone, will do everything. Or splash out and buy a autel.

 

[indy4x]

Nice looking van

We have one, it's an 05 MWB with 180k on the clock, 6 speed box and the 125BHP engine

Bought it back in 2020, already converted into a camper, just badly executed

Underneath is really good, I've had to change the passenger sill as it wasn't great, probably accelerated by whoever did the camper conversion allowed it to fill up with sawdust and other detritus which held the water and stayed damp

Had to do a small repair to the rear of the drivers sill for similar reasons

Electrically, wiper stalk is OK, headlight/indicator stalk does occasionally play up and you lose sidelights but seems to be worse if the van is left standing

Also changed the hazard switch as that was also intermittent

Fitted a new rear caliper for the last MOT

Door check straps seem a weak point, ours were goosed and the doors had creased the front wings, managed to find some good ones in a local scrappy

Side door sliders, changed these for new, they were cheap enough on eBay

As mentioned elsewhere, after 12 months of being parked up while I sorted out all the bodges in the camper conversion, did the sills and made it look pretty, we did 1500 miles travelling around Scotland and no issues.

 

[Danez]

Nice find! What happened to the LDV?

 

[Gwil]

Had my 2006 MWB Dci100 for nine years. I have driven many different vans, and I rate the Master Mk2 the best van ever, thats not to say they are not without problems though. They are a bit bus like to drive, but for all practical purposes they are better than anything else IMO. Which is why I am giving mine a refresh at the moment. Nothing else ticks as many boxes, and the later model feels rather flimsy in comparison.
Mine has the GU9 754 engine, which has no EGR or DPF, so avoids the problems these things give. Most problems are down to poor or non maintenance and bodgery by garages. They are easily capable of 300k miles, but of course, things do wear out. If there is no history of cam belt change, get it done at that mileage ASAP. If it snaps, its adios to the engine.

Their main achilles heel is the gearbox, which is known to eat their bearings, the correct oil MUST be used and be changed regularly. Its supposed to be a filled for life thing, but change it to avoid (hopefully) problems. Symptoms start as humming, then whining, then growling. Also difficulty in engaging some of the gears. DO NOT let this go on as it will get expensive. Is yours a PK or PF type ? Should be a six speed ? They DO NOT have a dual mass flywheel either.

A very common problem is the manual fuel primer bulb. The bulb can split, and as they have no lift pump, will cause very difficult or non starting. DO NOT buy a cheap rubber replacement as they will only last six months to a year.

Other main problems are the front jacking points under the front end of the sills, you must keep these clear of mud, and also behind the front wheel arch liners. The sills themselves can corrode, but this seems to be mostly campers and motorhomes, as a result of condensation. Also the rear spring hanger brackets can dissolve, but they are nowhere near as bad as Transits and Sprinters/Grafters for rot.

Get shot of the roof rack if you don't use it. Mine will do 39/40 mpg at 60mph without it, and 34/35 with it fitted.

They also can suffer from electrical gremlins, like many French cars do, but I have not found it a problem.

I think they're in fact pretty good to drive, but then, I've driven a York Transit....

 

[Smallfry]

I think they're in fact pretty good to drive, but then, I've driven a York Transit....

So have I ! Once it had started and the smoke cleared. Long time ago now.

 

[Shedendman]

I think they're in fact pretty good to drive, but then, I've driven a York Transit....

Good strong lump,would never win a race at santa pod,but boy it'll pull a house down

 

[fizzy]

Good strong lump,would never win a race at santa pod,but boy it'll pull a house down

The Sweeney loved them

 

[GRW]

Nice find! What happened to the LDV?

The LDV finally wore me down. Nothing catastrophic went wrong, but an accumulation of maladies & work needed on top of everything I've already done over the last 4/5 years...... I drew a line under it - it had become more of an ongoing chore than an asset.

 

[Bornfree]

So have I ! Once it had started and the smoke cleared. Long time ago now.

I think Ford had shares in Bradex when the developed that engine.

 

[GRW]

Nice find! What happened to the LDV?

The LDV finally wore me down. Nothing catastrophic went wrong, but an accumulation of maladies & work needed on top of everything I've already done over the last 4/5 years...... I drew a line under it - it had become more of an ongoing chore than an asset

 

[GRW]

Nice looking van

We have one, it's an 05 MWB with 180k on the clock, 6 speed box and the 125BHP engine

Bought it back in 2020, already converted into a camper, just badly executed

Underneath is really good, I've had to change the passenger sill as it wasn't great, probably accelerated by whoever did the camper conversion allowed it to fill up with sawdust and other detritus which held the water and stayed damp

Had to do a small repair to the rear of the drivers sill for similar reasons

Electrically, wiper stalk is OK, headlight/indicator stalk does occasionally play up and you lose sidelights but seems to be worse if the van is left standing

Also changed the hazard switch as that was also intermittent

Fitted a new rear caliper for the last MOT

Door check straps seem a weak point, ours were goosed and the doors had creased the front wings, managed to find some good ones in a local scrappy

Side door sliders, changed these for new, they were cheap enough on eBay

As mentioned elsewhere, after 12 months of being parked up while I sorted out all the bodges in the camper conversion, did the sills and made it look pretty, we did 1500 miles travelling around Scotland and no issues.

I have noticed some paint bubbling on the Sill behind the ns front wheel. Seems solid but will need addressing to keep it that way.
Seems the common niggles really are common! I've ordered an aftermarket left stalk (I feel the lights ought to be reliable ideally!) & a Hazard Switch (broken pushbutton but does work).

The radio doesn't work. It might just be the code, but I don't know the code or how to input it (also not sure if the display to the left of the head unit works properly or not). I need to find out a bit more

 

[indy4x]

@GRW Yes, radio/CD player is the other thing that needs sorting, it turns on, you can find radio stations but beeps regularly and then powers off after a short while

I have a replacement aftermarket radio/Bluetooth/MP3 jobbie to fit instead but thinking of going for one with a screen I can plug a reversing camera into

 

[GRW]

@GRW Yes, radio/CD player is the other thing that needs sorting, it turns on, you can find radio stations but beeps regularly and then powers off after a short while

I have a replacement aftermarket radio/Bluetooth/MP3 jobbie to fit instead but thinking of going for one with a screen I can plug a reversing camera into

What is it with French vehicles & weird electrics?
I'm so out of touch with car radios. It's decades I reckon since I fitted one.
There are steering column controls for the factory one.... if you get an aftermarket radio (or whatever you'd call a modern unit) - can you still use the steering controls?
Also - last time I messed with one you either had to hard-wire the thing, or buy loom adaptors to convert the ubut you bought, to fit the car loom plugs.
Do you still do all that, or are they now homogenised like USB ports?
I might be better off with an aftermarket stereo - but I've not a clue what would fit, what to get, or what I'd need to get to install it

 

[indy4x]

@GRW most cars from 2000 onwards have standard connectors for the radio. I've pulled the one out of the Master a few weeks back and checked it does have the usual ISO/DIN connectors

Mine doesn't have any steering wheel controls but the unit that's going in was given to me by my BIL. Can't remember what car he had it fitted to but there were some extra bits of wiring to connect it to the steering wheel controls

You could try somewhere like Dynamic Sounds, they can supply adaptors for lots of vehicles. Recently purchased a wiring set to fit a modern touchscreen Android Auto radio unit into my 09 Jeep Grand Cherokee, its supposed to connect it up and allow the factory steering wheel controls, hands free and reverse camera to work with the new Sony unit

 

[indy4x]

And pretty much all car units were standard single DIN so aftermarket just pop straight in