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Post by Penguin45 on Dec 10, 2012 0:40:15 GMT
My Fiat Scudo has died, rather spectacularly. Pulling away from a customers house yesterday, the differential casing exploded, leaving bits of casing and gears all over the road. No noises, no warning, just "Clunk!"
Poor old thing's done 5 years for me with virtually no bother, but is worth about £750 at most. Second hand gearbox is in the order of £200 - £350. It also needs a new steering rack (£220), the back half of the exhaust (£150ish) and the glow plugs as well. If I do the work myself, I'll not be working for about three days and it just isn't worth it.
So, time to find a new van. In the meantime, Eugenie is going to have to go to work this week. That big boot is going to come in useful. I've left her on charge overnight just to make sure she's ready. It's very cold up here at the moment, and we know what that does to batteries.
Wish me luck.
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Dec 10, 2012 1:42:26 GMT
Sorry to hear that Chris; I've never heard of that happening before. A particularly bad time of year for this to happen as I expect you are extra busy now and have lots of pressies to buy. I hope there's not too much salt an grit on the roads for Eugenie after all the work you've done on the bodywork this year. regards David My Fiat Scudo has died, rather spectacularly. Pulling away from a customers house yesterday, the differential casing exploded, leaving bits of casing and gears all over the road. No noises, no warning, just "Clunk!" Poor old thing's done 5 years for me with virtually no bother, but is worth about £750 at most. Second hand gearbox is in the order of £200 - £350. It also needs a new steering rack (£220), the back half of the exhaust (£150ish) and the glow plugs as well. If I do the work myself, I'll not be working for about three days and it just isn't worth it. So, time to find a new van. In the meantime, Eugenie is going to have to go to work this week. That big boot is going to come in useful. I've left her on charge overnight just to make sure she's ready. It's very cold up here at the moment, and we know what that does to batteries. Wish me luck. Chris. |
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Post by kelsham on Dec 10, 2012 10:09:07 GMT
Sorry to hear your bad news, I have noticed that cars always fail, in the rain or in the Winter. Suppose it's not the right time to wish you a happy new year?
Regards kels.
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Post by tommydp on Dec 10, 2012 19:11:08 GMT
Hi Chris! Sorry to hear about that. Typically, things like this happen in winter! Murphy's law, I guess:-)
I'm sure the crab will be a brilliant stand in. The best winter car I can think of! The only drawback is the lack of air ducts sending heated air to the side windows... only a problem in very low temperatures though:-)
Best of luck, and keep the salt off it:-)
Regards, Tommy
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Post by Penguin45 on Dec 11, 2012 1:00:05 GMT
Cheers, chaps.
Hopefully, this will be just for a few days. Mind you, the weather forecast is sleet tomorrow and snow on Wednesday......
Chris.
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Post by Penguin45 on Dec 15, 2012 21:47:47 GMT
No new van as yet. It didn't snow on Wednesday, but it was a pretty unpleasant day, finishing in a freezing evening. I had to drive from Leeds out to Ilkeley for the last call of the day - I didn't get there.  12 miles in the dark with the headlights on, heater fan and wipers proved too much for the battery, which decided to conk on the roundabout at Burley in Wharfedale. Shoved her off to where you see her and rang the RAC. Two hours, they said......... Ten minutes later, the mobile rang - RAC on their way, with a film crew! Oh, grief..... So, I'll now be featured in a forthcoming Channel 5 fly-on-the-wall documentary called "Winter Rescues". They did get the car going again and I gave up for the evening and nipped home sharpish - only 5 miles. I have given in and fitted an alternator. This is a kit from Moss and is apparently my Christmas present. Chris. |
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Post by dave1800 on Dec 16, 2012 1:03:06 GMT
Hi Chris Fame at last! Sorry to hear about your ongoing woes and a pity I won't be able to see the programme here unless someone uploads it to You Tube. Those dynamos were marginal at best especially if you also have a heated rear windscreen. I have seen reports that electronic voltage regulator replacements for the vibrating solenoid type can bring considerable improvements if anyone waned to try and keep the original look. I'm trying not too think about how cold it was waiting for the RAC! regards David 12 miles in the dark with the headlights on, heater fan and wipers proved too much for the battery, which decided to conk on the roundabout at Burley in Wharfedale. Shoved her off to where you see her and rang the RAC. Two hours, they said......... Ten minutes later, the mobile rang - RAC on their way, with a film crew! Oh, grief..... So, I'll now be featured in a forthcoming Channel 5 fly-on-the-wall documentary called "Winter Rescues". They did get the car going again and I gave up for the evening and nipped home sharpish - only 5 miles. I have given in and fitted an alternator. This is a kit from Moss and is apparently my Christmas present. Chris. |
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