Bass' Automatic Camper
- Thread starter studiocommer
- Start date
Found a lovely chap who restores classics locally and he whisked her away the week before last. Early reports are positive. The steering is because the steering arm was bent, probably the first time she was pulled onto the back of a tow truck bringing her home from Woolfy. He can fix that. Fuel pump shot which could explain the second breakdown. New one ordered from Speedy's. Needs two new front tyres as the ones on it are old and hard but new ones on back already. Needs new brushes but he can make them. It's a relief to have someone look her over and explain simply what needs to be done.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Excellent (I did see your f/b status so I knew all was well)
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
lots of progress. Suspension straightened and starter fixed. running nicely. Temp gauge needs new sender? so that's being ordered. Then she'll be put through her MOT. Radiator will need changing but not urgently. He's saying runher for a while, get some use and then I'll take her back to him to get the odd bits and pieces sorted out.
Should be able to do cushions, curtains and hand controls with what's left of the budget and use her as a solid moving tent until I've got the money to sort out leisure battery, decent cooking, water tank etc. Looking forward to getting her up to a good standard by the summer.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Should be able to do cushions, curtains and hand controls with what's left of the budget and use her as a solid moving tent until I've got the money to sort out leisure battery, decent cooking, water tank etc. Looking forward to getting her up to a good standard by the summer.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Doubling up a post in parts wanted.....sorry if that's not the way things are done....looking for a Temerature Sender Housing as the one on her fell apart when being taken off. Speedy's thought they had an old one but haven't so if anyone has any ideas it would be appreciated.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Ah it's been a while. Patience has been off at a specialist classics repairer who's been working on her in between restoring Aston Martins, Mini Coopers and lots of other very desirable stuff. Huge amounts needed to be done, a lot more than I expected to be honest, but we got close and picked her up to drive her home. She's had a new radiator, the temperature housing repaired, a serious amount of work. Part of the way home there was a lot of steam and the radiator ended up empty. It seems that she runs fine at 30-40 mph but anything above that seems to heat and pressurise the water. Before I decide whether to find a new engine or sell her as she is has anyone any ideas what may be causing this? To take the engine apart speculatively would cost a lot so it's better if there are clues as to where the mechanic can look. He's a bit confused by this and wonders if it's a Commer thing. Thanks
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
Strangely enough, the Detector van is Auto and does exactly the same thing [V] I had the head off and it made no difference, that's why I trailer it everywhere :I
http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/
http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/
http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
Jeez Bass, how much dosh have you chucked at this van??? nightmare, have you even driven it since you picked it up?
Nightmare.
I've not read the whole thread so apologies if going over old ground but checking the small things first, a faulty radiator cap can cause similar symptoms. Also is the scoop in place, water pump, thermostat changed? Cheap and easy fixes to do before ripping the head off or swapping engines.
I've not read the whole thread so apologies if going over old ground but checking the small things first, a faulty radiator cap can cause similar symptoms. Also is the scoop in place, water pump, thermostat changed? Cheap and easy fixes to do before ripping the head off or swapping engines.
I don't want to talk (or think) about money. The budget went on getting a get in, drive away, camp and show restoration. Everything that has had to be done after the restoration has been extra. I've not driven it yet. Dad drove it when it broke down leaving Woolfy's, my brother when it broke down after having new hoses fitted (when we naively thought that was the problem) and and Rachel this last time. It's not been going long enough for me to get it close to a hand control fitter so I can drive it. Maybe one day 
I'll pass those other seggestions on. Thanks
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
I'll pass those other seggestions on. ThanksPatience is a Commer, my Commer.
Overheating, if there are no visible leaks is usually caused by:
Blocked Radiator
Dodgy thermostat
Inefficient water pump
Head gasket
Radiator cap
If it's ok at low speed, and heats up when more effort is being used, sounds like the rad could be not as efficient as it could be, or the thermostat isnt opening properly. Try removing the thermostat and using without.
Good luck
A wandering commer blog - http://commerblog.wordpress.com/
Blocked Radiator
Dodgy thermostat
Inefficient water pump
Head gasket
Radiator cap
If it's ok at low speed, and heats up when more effort is being used, sounds like the rad could be not as efficient as it could be, or the thermostat isnt opening properly. Try removing the thermostat and using without.
Good luck
A wandering commer blog - http://commerblog.wordpress.com/
Check these in this order Bass...
Does the fan have all four blades on it?
Is the shroud in place?
The air deflector under the rad is really important to getting enough air through the rad.
Retarded timing and poor fuel will cause hot running.
I had the overheating at over 30mph issue. Turned out it was the shroud on the back of the rad had been removed (by me!)
Partial blockage of the rad also caused some probs.
If all these are good pull the stat out and see what happens. Won't cure an overheat if not faulty but will eliminate it as a source of the problem. Like brakes and clutches, overheating is one of those commer things...
Good luck with it.
I just need a good rootes...
Does the fan have all four blades on it?
Is the shroud in place?
The air deflector under the rad is really important to getting enough air through the rad.
Retarded timing and poor fuel will cause hot running.
I had the overheating at over 30mph issue. Turned out it was the shroud on the back of the rad had been removed (by me!)
Partial blockage of the rad also caused some probs.
If all these are good pull the stat out and see what happens. Won't cure an overheat if not faulty but will eliminate it as a source of the problem. Like brakes and clutches, overheating is one of those commer things...
Good luck with it.
I just need a good rootes...
Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, had an operation and been recouperating.....I know how Patience feels now
I'll pass the advice on to the mechanic. Last time we spoke he was talking about an engine rebuild which is drastic and expensive. But if it fixes the problem and adds it's cost to the value of the van it may be worth it.
I am thinking, only thinking at this stage, of needing to sell her on at some point next year as my job has just been put at risk and if it goes I'm stuffed. So I'm assuming a fixed and running van is worth more than a van that needs work.
Happy days
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.
I'll pass the advice on to the mechanic. Last time we spoke he was talking about an engine rebuild which is drastic and expensive. But if it fixes the problem and adds it's cost to the value of the van it may be worth it.
I am thinking, only thinking at this stage, of needing to sell her on at some point next year as my job has just been put at risk and if it goes I'm stuffed. So I'm assuming a fixed and running van is worth more than a van that needs work.
Happy days
Patience is a Commer, my Commer.