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Aidan's tip of the week

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    stapeler wrote: »
    On the parking for the winter subject, I leave the MH in gear with the handbreak off. Found that keeping the handbreak pulled causes it to stick a bit. Any thoughts?

    Yepp, that tends to happen.

    Never leave the handbrake on myself when the van gets parked up for longer


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 338 ✭✭SARZY


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    You know , it's funny... I work on campers every day , yet to think up useful tips is hard!


    When parking your motorhome up for the winter/long periods , empty the waste tank , fresh tank , toilet tank (if you have one) , drain the boiler , then turn on all the taps for a few seconds to purge the water pipes . Then , turn off the pump , leaving the taps in the On position . This helps prevent them bursting in frost .

    And then take it for a spin to dislodge the remaining drops in my experience.
    Thanks for the tips.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    If it's a Front wheel drive , like a Ducato ,Renault , Transporter etc , and the handbrake does get stuck on , it'll "unstick" easier , in reverse.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭dfbemt


    Keep on going Aidan. Your tips are always handy. Maintaining a camper is a lot more difficult than owning one !!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    Truma heating system not seeming to work as good as it used to? The strength of the warm air not as strong out of the vents as it had been?

    Have a look-see around the bottom of the Heater/Boiler , the pipes dusting the air out around the camper regularly pop off , they're normally just pushed into place with no mechanical fixing.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    dfbemt wrote: »
    Keep on going Aidan. Your tips are always handy. Maintaining a camper is a lot more difficult than owning one !!

    Ha! You have it handy , I've to maintain 100's! :P And I'm supposed to remember the location of the fuses , pumps , heaters , etc in them all! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    If your fridge isn't working well on gas , and in particular if you get a nasty , almost cloyingly sweet smell around it or from the vents, your flue is choked with carbon .
    This is common on fridges left on gas while driving , and also on modern fridges with separate freezers . The burner and flue need to be stripped , cleaned , and the jet cleaned or replaced . Beware , for Dometic/Electrolux fridges , there are 3 different jets!

    Also , if its a home build , or one you've had to remove the fridge from , the rear of the fridge should be sealed from the inside of the van , and there should be a vent or two in the floor , near the burner .


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,820 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    If your fridge isn't working well on gas , and in particular if you get a nasty , almost cloyingly sweet smell around it or from the vents, your flue is choked with carbon .
    This is common on fridges left on gas while driving , and also on modern fridges with separate freezers . The burner and flue need to be stripped , cleaned , and the jet cleaned or replaced . Beware , for Dometic/Electrolux fridges , there are 3 different jets!
    I got the smell for the first time this weekend :(
    How difficult is it and what tools are needed to strip, clean etc the burner, flue and jets? Or is this specialist work?
    Thanks


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    I got the smell for the first time this weekend :(
    How difficult is it and what tools are needed to strip, clean etc the burner, flue and jets? Or is this specialist work?
    Thanks


    Because it's a Gas issue , and because the jet is so delicate if it's stuck , I'd rather not go through how it's done , in case Anyone has a fire! Sorry about that , but as most people here know I'm in the business of repairing MHs , if anything was to happen it would appear to be my fault .:(


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,191 ✭✭✭Macspower


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    I got the smell for the first time this weekend :(
    How difficult is it and what tools are needed to strip, clean etc the burner, flue and jets? Or is this specialist work?
    Thanks

    I did this before but I'm well used to working on my MH... it wasn't a very easy job. I damaged the jet taking it out and had to replace it. I would say have a look at it and see what you think. If not confident refer it to a specialist


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    Macspower wrote: »
    I did this before but I'm well used to working on my MH... it wasn't a very easy job. I damaged the jet taking it out and had to replace it. I would say have a look at it and see what you think. If not confident refer it to a specialist

    We'd always have jets in stock , think they're 12 Euro.

    If it's an MH with a decent access to the burner , an Air Compressor , fine sandpaper , 5mm and 2.5mm drill bits , an 11mm pipe spanner , a 13mm open spanner and a medium sized Philips screwdriver are all thats needed, usually.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    'Nother simple tip...

    Seitz style blinds getting sticky ? Get a tin of WD40 , attach the straw and direct a spray into the corners of the frame . if you can get the blind to move up and down a bit , the WD40 works its way into the recoil , and 7 times out of 10 frees it up to normal.


  • Registered Users Posts: 460 ✭✭Malta1


    Maybe a silly question but what are "Seitz style" blinds......which ones are they?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    The really common ones like in most coach builts , like Adrias , Dethleffs etc . the ones where the blinds are in the frame , one from the top and one from the bottom.


  • Registered Users Posts: 460 ✭✭Malta1


    sound....cheers


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭dfbemt


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    'Nother simple tip...

    Seitz style blinds getting sticky ? Get a tin of WD40 , attach the straw and direct a spray into the corners of the frame . if you can get the blind to move up and down a bit , the WD40 works its way into the recoil , and 7 times out of 10 frees it up to normal.

    Simple tips are usually the best ones. Will definitely try this.

    Thanks for all your tips. Keep going until we store all for the winter


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    Some of the braver , more dedicated souls here polish their campers , not just the cab , but the "house" and all . It's a tough job , time consuming ,but by Gosh the results are worth it . The camper will be a lot easier to wash , and will stay clean for longer , and if you use a good Wax , it'll help protect it. Take a lazy week to do it , take the cab one evening , the rear another day , and half a side yet another day still . And any good quality Car polish will do , like CleanCar.ie's Chemical Boys , AutoGlym , Sonax even Turtle Wax.
    Also , get some rubbing compound , I favour Farecla G3 or G6 , to remove scratches or particularly dull paint .

    You can perfectly safely use both rubbing coumpound and Car polish on the Plastic windows , and it freshens up the look of an older motorhome massively. I do it regularly .


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,191 ✭✭✭Macspower


    Good advice on the waxing.. It's definately worth the effort.. For those really dedicated you can build up the coats of wax by doing it a few weeks in a row :p

    I know some of you store them for the winter and I would definately get a coat of wax on to protect it during storage.

    I use Meguires Tech Wax or Zymol but they are prop OTT for the MH.. but years of showing cars and owning some fine machines has me hooked on waxing.


  • Registered Users Posts: 217 ✭✭coolvale


    do those digital performance diesel tuning kits to increase bhp & fuel economy work ?
    are they worth thinking of fitting.we do app 5,000 mls per year in our motorhome,a fiat ducato 2.8 turbo.
    thanks


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭killalanerr


    waxing is one of my least favorite jobs they are just so big haven't done this van yet but will get to it before i store it,


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,549 ✭✭✭*Kol*


    coolvale wrote: »
    do those digital performance diesel tuning kits to increase bhp & fuel economy work ?
    are they worth thinking of fitting.we do app 5,000 mls per year in our motorhome,a fiat ducato 2.8 turbo.
    thanks

    I have heard good reports about remapping that engine. Makes it easier going up hills and overtaking if you need to.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    Once a year or so , put some De-scaler into your fresh water tank . quarter fill the tank , preferably with Hot water (I use the steam-cleaner) , and flush thrrough the taps till some hot water comes through all of them . Do this or 5 times , for a few seconds each time , every 10-15 mins or so . Then drain down the whole water system including the boiler , and flush through the lot at least twice with clean water . On older MHs , you'll often find the spray from the shower improves /


  • Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭corkbuoy


    Thanks for info. What descaler do you recommend ?

    corkbuoy


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,710 ✭✭✭meercat


    thanks aidan m m
    great advice as always
    keep them coming
    cheers


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,327 ✭✭✭bogman


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    Some of the braver , more dedicated souls here polish their campers , not just the cab , but the "house" and all . It's a tough job , time consuming ,but by Gosh the results are worth it .

    Have any of ye used Snap Seal wax, supposed to be very good, ive washed but not waxed mine recently but intend completing the job


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    corkbuoy wrote: »
    Thanks for info. What descaler do you recommend ?

    corkbuoy

    Whatever you use for your kettle! We have teribbley lime-y water , so we buy De-Scaler by the gallon.
    bogman wrote: »
    Have any of ye used Snap Seal wax, supposed to be very good, ive washed but not waxed mine recently but intend completing the job
    Nope , I stick to the well known industry brands like AutoGlym , Sonax , Mer , CleanCar.ie , Concept etc .


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    If you ever have to replace and reseal a window or skylight or vent , after stripping off the old sealer , regardless what you use , "key" in the surface with some sandpaper , something like 400 grit.


  • Registered Users Posts: 217 ✭✭coolvale


    thanks for your tips, i'm sure they are much appreciated. keep em coming.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,191 ✭✭✭Macspower


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    If you ever have to replace and reseal a window or skylight or vent , after stripping off the old sealer , regardless what you use , "key" in the surface with some sandpaper , something like 400 grit.

    just about to replace a skylight... old one blew off while driving :rolleyes: and it wasn't open!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,250 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    If you ever have to replace and reseal a window or skylight or vent , after stripping off the old sealer , regardless what you use , "key" in the surface with some sandpaper , something like 400 grit.

    What would be the best sealer to use for roof vents?


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